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 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 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 South–Eastern 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 members’ societies of the new members’ populations 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 South–Eastern 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 spaces – the 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:

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

• Beginn: Dienstag, 27 November 2018
• Ende: Samstag, 01 Dezember 2018
• Programme 6th Young Scholars Forum-3.pdf

„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?

„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