Call for participation: 9th Young Scholars Forum on Central and Southeastern Europe 2024 “Regions as Drivers of European Integration”

Organised and hosted by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), the Forum invites young, earlystage students and researchers from across Europe to present their research, fostering transnational dialogue and cooperation across borders. Aligned with the IDM’s vision and mission of promoting democracy, freedom, and human rights through regional collaboration, the Forum aims to advance the research on European integration by examining the pivotal role of regions. Participants will engage in expert-led panels, explore themes such as decentralised governance and macro-regional strategies, and partake in a vibrant social programme, while enhancing their academic and professional networks.

The first two days of the Forum will involve four thematic panels moderated by experts, the third day is designated for further exchange among participants during a thematically appropriate social programme in Vienna and Lower Austria.

Aims of the Forum

  • Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and Southeastern Europe
  • Presentation of young scholars’ research to a wider public
  • Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results
  • Networking with established experts from the field
  • Facilitating mobility within the region
  • Providing cultural programme in Vienna and Lower Austria
  • Exploring the role and activities of the Government of Lower Austria as one of the federal states of Austria
  • Engaging with the project partner ARGE Donauländer (Working Community of the Danube Regions)
  • Publication of contributions and results in the IDM scientific journal Der Donauraum

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a maximum of 20 young scholars working on Central and Southeastern Europe in the fields of peace research and security policy, cultural studies, political sciences, economy, geography, sociology, media studies and history to contribute with their research to the analysis of the afore-mentioned issues.

What you need to apply

  • a full academic CV
  • an abstract (max. 500 words) of the research paper that shall be presented and discussed at the forum

Costs for travel expenses (up to € 200,-) as well as board & accommodation will be covered by the IDM.

Applications for participation should be submitted in English via e-mail by September 30, 2024. Early bird applications are highly welcomed.

 

Please send your application to:

Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)
Mr Daniel Martínek | d.martinek@idm.at

 

Language of the Forum: English

Thematic programme of the Forum

Panel I

From local to regional

In the context of European integration, local and regional communities play a vital role in shaping and implementing EU policies using the bottom-up approach. Being the closest to the citizens, local governments address specific needs and challenges and foster grassroots democracy. Regional bodies coordinate these efforts, ensuring coherence with broader EU objectives. This multi-level governance enhances policy effectiveness, promotes economic and social cohesion at the local level, and strengthens European identity by involving citizens directly and locally in the integration process. We will focus on the role of local and regional actors within the European multi-level governance structures.

Chaired by Nadija Afanasieva, Director of Ukrainian Institute for International Politics (UIIP)

Panel II

Decentralised governance and regional autonomy

The panel elaborates on the balance and interaction between regional and national authoritiesin the framework of both the nation-state and European governance. While nation-states currently coordinate EU policies and ensure the unity and coherence of their implementation, regions are in fact the receivers and final beneficiaries who effectively tailor EU policies to local needs. This structure allows regions to innovate and address unique challenges while contributing to broader EU goals, fostering both regional identity and European solidarity. We discuss the potentials and challenges of decentralised governance and of gaining more regional autonomy, considering the distinctive nature of the countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Chaired by Elisabeth Donat, Assistant Professor at the Department for European Policy and the Study of Democracy of the University for Continuing Education Krems

Panel III

Macro-regional strategies

We will explore the role of EU macro-regional strategies in enhancing integration, cohesion, and enlargement and how these address regional challenges, promote economic development, and foster environmental sustainability. Special emphasis will be placed on the discrepancies and differences between EU member and non-member countries, examining governance, development levels, and access to EU funding. Following the Austrian Presidency of the EUSDR in 2024, we will re-evaluate the role of macro-regional strategies and their contribution to the enhancement of regional cooperation and stability in the Danube Region.

Chaired by Robert Lichtner, Coordinator of the Danube Strategy Point

Panel IV

Bringing borders back

The impact of geographical, territorial and nation-state as well as mental borders on European integration and enlargement will be the focus of this panel. We will address the resurgence of nationalism and protectionism amongst European national governments and its effects on the perception of European multi-level governance. We will take a look at how to balance national sovereignty with the goals of European integration, cohesion and enlargement given the current stagnating and centrifugal forces of European integration.

Chaired by Almina Bešić, Assistant Professor at the Johannes Kepler University Linz

 

In cooperation with:

Call for applications: 8th Young Scholars Forum on Central and South-Eastern Europe 2022

8th Young Scholars Forum on Central and South-Eastern Europe 2022 

“In times of insecurity – unifying regional perspectives for safeguarding European future”  

1 – 3 December 2022 

During the last few years, regional security has come under extreme threat, causing the issue to dominate public debate once again after a long period of peace in Europe. In 2022, the attack on an independent state in Europe by a more powerful neighbor reminded the people in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe that their territorial, democratic, cultural and informational security cannot be taken for granted, but rather constitute fragile privileges that need to be protected and cultivated. The questions of what geographic order, distribution of democratic rights, culture and facts should be accepted and nurtured, but they are instead highly debated and uncertain amongst the different countries and societies of the region. In fact, it is hard to find an issue on which there are more diverging perceptions and opinions across Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. As a universal term, security leaves room for different interpretations, shapes and also comes with different relevance for people’s daily life.  

In light of the recently increased pressure and threat to European security, the multitude of perceptions of security in the different regions of Europe have to be brought together in order to create a common understanding of what is at stake and how to overcome external and internal threats. The people in Europe have to unify their regional perspectives to secure their freedom, principles of democracy, cultural autonomy and access to truthful information in the future.  

The 8th Young Scholars Forum focuses on the most relevant parts of security in Europe. Divided into four thematic panels, this year’s gathering of young scholars from across Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe will discuss and debate their positions and research on how European societies can come together to defend and progressively foster European security by means of merging their regional cultures, potentials and abilities. General topics of the 8th Young Scholars Forum 2022 are: 

  • Securing geopolitical Europe  
  • Securing cultural diversity
  • Securing democratic solidarity 
  • Securing resilient infosphere 

Who we are looking for

We are seeking 20 young scholars working on Central and SouthEastern Europe in the fields of peace research and security policy, cultural studies, political sciences, economy, geography, sociology, media studies, and history to contribute with their research to the analysis of the aforementioned issues and to find a common ground for understanding security across the region. 

Aims of the Forum

  • Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe
  • Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public
  • Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results
  • Networking
  • Furthering mobility within the region
  • Publication of research contributions in the IDM scientific journal “Der Donauraum”

Thematic programme of the Forum

Panel I

Securing geopolitical Europe  

The lack of geopolitical belonging of non-EU and non-NATO states in Eastern and SouthEastern Europe fundamentally affects events at both the regional and European level. Not only are countries which are excluded from international alliances highly vulnerable to external influences; they represent a weakness of common European security and pose a threat to the achievement of the unified, reliable European security architecture. The escalation of the war in Ukraine was perceived as the necessary impetus for these countries to escape geopolitical limbo. However, with no advancing integration of these into European security structures, the creation of a strong Europe as a geopolitical player remains out of sight.

Panel II

Securing cultural diversity 

European integration was initiated via the economic integration of the European Member States. By striking down trade barriers, such as tariffs, non-tariff measures and by harmonising standards of productions and products, European societies and cultures came together and integrated into one another. With the 2004 eastern enlargement, a new large share of very different cultures and values joined the EU. Although earlier enlargements of the Union did not cause social outcries, the incorporation of the multitude of eastern cultures led to fears among the old memberssocieties of the new memberspopulations in terms of security of their cultural heritage. In particular, the EU’s aim of economic approximation achieved via harmonisation measures is perceived by many as a threat to Europe’s regional and local cultural identities. 

Panel III

Securing democratic solidarity  

In a rapidly changing world where large authoritarian regimes are on the rise, there is little room left to address the undemocratic character of some governments in Central and SouthEastern Europe. However, nonadherence to the rule of law, subversion of democratic processes and abuse of state institutions is often a hallmark of governments with significant popular support. Particularly in Europe, the threat to the democratic order in some states endangers the solidarity feeling of belonging to a union of like-minded people. It is thus crucial for European states and societies to focus on the question of why autocratic leaders receive public support and how societies in Europe can combine efforts to strengthen democratic security and show their solidarity to the people whose fundamental rights are progressively being stripped away 

Panel IV

Securing resilient infosphere 

Especially during military conflicts, the propaganda machinery runs at full speed, and the Russian disinformation campaign regarding the aggressive attack on Ukraine is no exception. But also, the spread of misinformation and censuring of politically unpopular statements in the media are occurring more frequently. Propaganda and fake news find their followers in all states of the region and permeate all spacesthe printed press, online spaces and social media alike. The digital world made it possible to create virtual echo chambers, which as a result not only feed the disinformation flows, but also in many cases influence the sociopolitical and security situation in the country. European societies, with their diversity of cultures, perceptions, interests and threats, should be able to rely on transparent, accurate and timely information in order to foster mutual understanding and secure peace for the future.  

What you need to apply

  • a full academic CV 
  • an abstract (max. 500 words) of the research topic that shall be presented and discussed at the forum 

Overall costs for travel expenses (up to €200,-) as well as meal, board & accommodation will be reimbursed by the IDM. 

Applications for participation should be submitted in English via the application form by 31 October 2022. Early bird applications are highly welcomed. 

To the application form: https://forms.gle/j5EKt33SXTamSmZY7  

Language of the Forum: English 

 

Sponsors:

 

 

7th Young Scholars Forum 2020

7th Young Scholars Forum on Central and South East Europe

“European narratives – in search for common diversity”

03 – 04 December 2020

Europeans face Europeans. The national policies of the states making up the old continent continue to shape Europe’s future at the expense of Europe as whole. The divisions among the countries are deepening, very often in a way that creates a crisis both internally and in a global context. The constant search of common narratives – as the basis for a common identity-based policy – seems to be increasingly difficult in the face of fragmented political spectrum and ever-more differing policy approaches in Europe. The purpose of the Forum is to provide space for young scientists to find what is common to all Europeans.

As part of the online event, 20 young researchers from all over Europe are invited to present and discuss their research work related to the topic of the Forum, as well as to network among themselves. The conference will take place in two days under the direction of experts within four thematically different panels:

  • Europe as an area of peace and stability
  • Europe as a space of cultural diversity
  • Europe as a global actor
  • If not the EU, is there/has there been an alternative?

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a maximum of 20 young scholars working on Central and South Eastern Europe in the fields of peace research and security policy, cultural studies, political sciences, economy, geography, sociology, media studies and history to contribute with their research to the analysis of the afore-mentioned issues and to find a common narrative that would held the future Europe together.

Aims of the Forum

  • Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe
  • Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public
  • Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results
  • Networking
  • Furthering mobility within the region
  • Publication of research contributions in the IDM scientific journal “Der Donauraum”

Thematic programme of the Forum

Panel I

Europe as an area of peace and stability

For a long time, Europe has been a symbol of peace and stability. After all, the European Union itself was founded to keep the continent from repeating the horrors of the wars Europe experienced in the first half of the twentieth century. However, the narrative of universal peace and stability may be applicable to Western Europe, but is untenable for Eastern and South-Eastern Europe given the events of the 1990s, as well as the current conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Moreover, peace is a matter of course for a young generation who has experienced neither war nor totalitarianism.

Chaired by Sebastian Schäffer, Managing Director, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)

Participants:
Babrik Kushwaha, University of Lille & Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, France & Germany
“Democracy: In Need of Relative Improvement” 

Stefan Lehrner, Andrássy University of Budapest, Hungary
“Visegrad 4 – Stability in the EU or tip the scales on the stability of the EU?”

Denis Ivanov, University College London, United Kingdom
“Everything in moderation? Institutions, economic inequality and demand for populism in Hungary and Lithuania” 

Isabell Burmester, University of Geneva, Switzerland
“EU and Russian hegemonic power in the shared neighbourhood: Foreign policy through coercion in the case of Moldova”

Panel II

Europe as a space of cultural diversity

Identical cultural roots are frequent argument in the creation of common European narratives. Despite the existence of so-called European cultural heritage, growing cultural diversity – mainly due to migration – is causing scepticism about a common European cultural identity. The changing European cultural environment makes the cultural mixture of Europe more detrimental than ever before.

Chaired by Daniel Martínek, Research Associate, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)

Participants:
Jovana Bogojevic, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice and Heidelberg University, Italy/Germany
Why Sino-Yugoslav Cold War Cultural Links Still Matter?”

Zerina Catovic, Historical Institute, University of Montenegro, Montenegro
“Moving image – Moving Europe: Negotiating Cultural Histories“

Sergii Geraskov
, National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine, Ukraine
“Re-public Policy: Religious Freedom and Religious security in Eastern Ukraine (2014-2019)”

Attila Toth, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia
“The landscape Narrative for Enhancing Common European Diversities” 

Olga Usachova, University of Padua, Italy
“Mobile application as a welcoming guide: between digital mediation and culture”

Panel III

Europe as a global actor

With the rise of China as an economic giant, Russia’s increasingly assertive foreign policy and the unpredictable, Europe-distancing conduct of the United States, Europe (above all its Eastern and South Eastern part) is significantly influenced by external forces. The relative decline in economic importance and the projected demographic changes pose challenges to the EU and its neighbours both internally and externally, to which – due to fragmentation of European states and the lack of a common foreign-policy approach – the EU continues to be unable to respond effectively.

Chaired by Thomas Diez, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Tübingen

Participants:
Anneliese Rieger, Andrassy University of Budapest, Hungary
“How to Strengthen Europe’s Global position with Hegel’s concept of Recognition: a strategic approach to Europe’s with China”

Magdalena König, University of Groningen, Netherlands
“The role of transnational counter-terrorism in the EU process of enlargement towards the Western Balkans”

Mirali Mirhashmli, Institute of Advanced Studies of Köszeg, Hungary
“The relations between EU and Azerbaijan and the tensions between Europeanization and stabilitocracy”

Paul Philip Kowas, University of Applied Sciences of Wildau, Germany
“The common agricultural Policy of the European Union and its possible future effects on the reduction of greenhouses gases of the agricultural industry”

Panel IV

If not the EU, is there/has there been an alternative?

Despite being the most extensive project of political integration in the world, the European Union has experienced a series of crises in recent years such as the Eurozone debt crisis, the refugee crisis, the Brexit or the rise of populist, strongly nationally-oriented parties across the continent. On the one hand, the enlargement of the EU in Eastern and South Eastern Europe seems to be stuck, on the other hand, the deeper integration of the EU members is not evolving as previously expected, where there is growing scepticism about the European project in general. Brexit, the dismal socio-political situation and the resulting protests in some (non-)EU member states, and the democratic backsliding in Central Europe – all this creates the ideas of a different Europe: a Europe of sovereign nation states, a federal Europe or a Europe in the form of a republic.

Chaired by Bettina Rausch, President of the Political Academy of the Austrian People’s Party

Participants:
Mátyás Máté, Corvinius University of Budapest/University of Tartu, Hungary/Estonia
“Lessons from the backlash: steps towards a more equitable EU”

Filip Fila, Institute for Social research in Zagreb, Croatia
“The Visegrad group – a united front against a common European narrative?”

What you need to apply

  • a full academic CV
  • an abstract (max. 400 words) of the research paper that shall be presented and discussed at the symposium
  • the participation fee of € 100,-

Costs for travel expenses (up to € 200,-) as well as board & accommodation (single rooms) will be reimbursed by the IDM.

IMPORTANT: As the restrictive measures regarding mobility associated with the epidemiological situation and future development of the coronavirus pandemic cannot be predicted, the participants are asked to arrange all financial issues – participation fee, travel costs – only in the weeks before the Forum.

Applications for participation should be submitted in English via e-mail by September 30, 2020.

Please send your application to:

Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)
Mr. Daniel Martínek | d.martinek@idm.at

Language of the Forum: English

IDM 7th Young Scholars Forum Programme.pdf

6th Young Scholars Forum, 2018

The 6thYoung Scholars Forum (YSF) on Central- and South East Europe

Cross-border cooperation in Central and South East Europe

Aims of the project:

–          Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe;

–          Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public;

–          Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results;

–          Networking;

–          Furthering mobility within the region;

–          Publication of contributions and results;

Target group:

Max. 30 Young scholars working on Central and South East Europe in the fields of cultural studies, history, media studies, political sciences, geography, sociology, and economy.  

Date and venue:

The symposium will take place 27 November – 01 December 2018, Vienna, Austria

 

Programme:

–          Presentation of research papers/projects by high level experts and young scholars;

–          (Plenary) discussions;

–          Social and cultural programme;

 

Applications:

Applications for participation may be submitted via e-mail by June 30, 2018  and have to include a full academic CV and an abstract (max. 1 page) of the research paper that shall be presented and discussed at the symposium.

Language: English

Participation fee: € 100,-

Costs for travel expenses (up to  200,-), board & accommodation (in double rooms, single room is available for € 75,-) will be reimbursed by the IDM.

Please send applications to:

Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)

Mag. Sebastian Schäffer, MA

e-mail: s.schaeffer@idm.at

 

5th Young Scholars Forum, 2016

The 5thYoung Scholars Forum (YSF) on Central and South East Europe

„Challenges and Opportunities of Migration in and from South East Europe

Aims of the project:

–          Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe;

–          Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public;

–          Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results;

–          Networking;

–          Furthering mobility within the region;

–          Publication of contributions and results;

Target group:

Max. 30 Young scholars working on Central and South East Europe in the fields of cultural studies, history, media studies, political sciences, geography, sociology, and economy.  

Date and venue:

The symposium took place 1 December – 3 December 2016, Vienna, Austria

 

4th Young Scholars Forum, 2014

„Remembrance Culture and Common Histories in the Danube Region

Aims of the project:

–          Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe;

–          Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public;

–          Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results;

–          Networking;

–          Furthering mobility within the region;

–          Publication of contributions and results;

Target group:

Max. 30 Young scholars working on Central and South East Europe in the fields of cultural studies, history, media studies, political sciences, geography, sociology, and economy.  

Date and venue:

The symposium took place November 27–29 2014, Vienna, Austria

„Remembrance Culture and Common Histories in the Danube Region“

The papers will reflect different approaches to remembrance culture, as well as both divided and common histories in the Danube Region. Both empirically detailed case studies and comparative research are welcome. The goal of the forum is to shine light on the conflicting trends of the consolidation of nation states in the past two decades and rise of national discourses about the past and contrasting efforts both from the bottom up and by outside actors to promote new, cooperative forms of remembrance. The forum seeks to reflect not just on centrality of nationalism in writing of history and official narratives, but also the tensions between different ideological orientations and between public and private narratives. The papers might want to address some of these related questions:

1. What are official narratives of the recent past and how are they materialised through monuments, official holidays, and school curricula

2. What counter narratives exist in society and how are they manifested and in which ways are official memories contested or challenged

3. How and which historical narratives remain contested within countries and between countries of the region along national and ideological (i.e. anti-Communist vs. nostalgia for the Socialist period) lines?

4. Which efforts to promote a shared understanding of the past have been undertaken and what have been the results?

5. What alternative forms of commemoration and remembrance cultures have emerged and how do they interlink with other global trends?

3rd Young Scholars Forum, 2012

„(In-)Equality – Political, Economic, Gender and Spatial Aspects

Aims of the project:

–          Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe;

–          Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public;

–          Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results;

–          Networking;

–          Furthering mobility within the region;

–          Publication of contributions and results;

Target group:

Max. 30 Young scholars working on Central and South East Europe in the fields of cultural studies, history, media studies, political sciences, geography, sociology, and economy.  

Date and venue:

The symposium took place December 6–8 2012, Vienna, Austria

 

PROGRAMME

2nd Young Scholars Forum, 2010

„Cultural Changes in Central and South East Europe after 1989

Aims of the project:

–          Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe;

–          Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public;

–          Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results;

–          Networking;

–          Furthering mobility within the region;

–          Publication of contributions and results;

Target group:

Max. 30 Young scholars working on Central and South East Europe in the fields of cultural studies, history, media studies, political sciences, geography, sociology, and economy.  

Date and venue:

The symposium took place October 28–30 2010, Vienna, Austria

 

PROGRAMME

1st Young Scholars Forum, 2008

„System Changes of South East European Societies: Social, Political and Demographic Consequences

Aims of the project:

–          Promoting and encouraging young scholars to engage with Central and South East Europe;

–          Presentation of research by young scholars to a wider public;

–          Exchange among young and more advanced researchers on topics, methods, sources and results;

–          Networking;

–          Furthering mobility within the region;

–          Publication of contributions and results;

Target group:

Max. 30 Young scholars working on Central and South East Europe in the fields of cultural studies, history, media studies, political sciences, geography, sociology, and economy.  

Date and venue:

The symposium took place December 4–6 2008, Vienna, Austria

 

PROGRAMME