Central Europe on the Threshold of the 21st Century: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Challenges in Politics and Society

Venue: Copernicus Graduate School (Poland)
Period: Feb. 2 - 4, 2012

The final program has yet to be finalized, but the following panals will be created:
 
1. Identity Issues or Geopolitical Questions – what is Central Europe and which countriesor regions belong to it? Is Central Europe a “community” of post-communist states or a geographical region uniting wider number of states including Germany and Austria?
– what is Central Europe and which countriesor regions belong to it? Is Central Europe a “community” of post-communist states or a geographical region uniting wider number of states including Germany and Austria?

2. Sustainability of the National Concept – what is the position of patriotism andnationalism in Central European countries. How is it influenced by the process of European Unification – will it be strengthened or denationalized? Is it a chance for national and ethnical minorities to cultivate their distinctiveness?
– what is the position of patriotism andnationalism in Central European countries. How is it influenced by the process of European Unification – will it be strengthened or denationalized? Is it a chance for national and ethnical minorities to cultivate their distinctiveness?

3. Political System and Economic Basics – have Central European states developedfunctional and democratic political systems according to western patterns, or have they formed their own political systems with their peculiarities different from western democracies? Is the model of capitalism working in Central European Countries? Did market economy bring the expected progress and modernization? Are the economies resistant to world crises or economic processes like for example growing oil prices?
– have Central European states developedfunctional and democratic political systems according to western patterns, or have they formed their own political systems with their peculiarities different from western democracies? Is the model of capitalism working in Central European Countries? Did market economy bring the expected progress and modernization? Are the economies resistant to world crises or economic processes like for example growing oil prices?

4. The Rule of Law and Threats – are Central European countries well-functioning andefficient states of law, which are ready and able to take up new challenges including security issues, terrorism, or financial crises? What is the influence of the state on democracy?
– are Central European countries well-functioning andefficient states of law, which are ready and able to take up new challenges including security issues, terrorism, or financial crises? What is the influence of the state on democracy?

5. Central European States as Actors in International Relations – have Central Europeanstates managed to develop their own, independent foreign policies and to gain a strong position as equal partners for their neighbours and other states?
– have Central Europeanstates managed to develop their own, independent foreign policies and to gain a strong position as equal partners for their neighbours and other states?

6. Central Europe in the European Union – what is the role of the new member states inthe European Union? Have they managed to settle in the European Community among the richer and stronger countries of the “old Europe” and to bring their own ideas to European debates?
– what is the role of the new member states inthe European Union? Have they managed to settle in the European Community among the richer and stronger countries of the “old Europe” and to bring their own ideas to European debates?

7. The Place of Visegrad Group after Joining the European Union – what are the newexercises and challenges for the group after fulfilling its major task. Can the Visegrad Group be an important instrument for the new EU-members in the expanded Europe?
– what are the newexercises and challenges for the group after fulfilling its major task. Can the Visegrad Group be an important instrument for the new EU-members in the expanded Europe?

8. Central European Civil Societies – is the process of building a civil society in postcommunistcountries already finished or is it still on going? Does it develop in Western European direction or according to another specific model?
– is the process of building a civil society in postcommunistcountries already finished or is it still on going? Does it develop in Western European direction or according to another specific model?

9. Cities and Local Politics – what is the role and position of local and regionalgovernments and communities in Central European states. Do Central European cities have chances to become metropolis on a European scale?
– what is the role and position of local and regionalgovernments and communities in Central European states. Do Central European cities have chances to become metropolis on a European scale?

10. Cultural and Religious Relations – what is the role of culture in young post-communistdemocracies and in the dynamic expansion of consumption societies? What is the position of religion and churches in changed societies?
– what is the role of culture in young post-communistdemocracies and in the dynamic expansion of consumption societies? What is the position of religion and churches in changed societies?

11. Migration, Communication and Cultural Transfer – how do work migrations oradmission of political refugees influence the social debate? How do the societies deal with such phenomena and transfer processes connected with them? How do the society and the state communicate about the alternatives of opening or isolation?
– how do work migrations oradmission of political refugees influence the social debate? How do the societies deal with such phenomena and transfer processes connected with them? How do the society and the state communicate about the alternatives of opening or isolation?

To participate as a contributor, the deadline for the abstract is: January 1, 2012. All abstracts must be submitted to the following email address: cgs(at)umk.pl.
 
Participants fee is 100€/400PLN with accommodation, or 75€/300 PLN without accommodation. This fee covers:
- accommodation with breakfast,
- participation in the conference with presentation,
- conference materials,
- publication of the paper in the book in English (Papers of Copernicus Graduate School),
- 2 lunches,
- official banquet.

For more information on the submission, please visit the conference site: www.cgs.umk.pl You can also see the official call on PECOB, and download the application form. Check out the call here!

Copernicus Graduate School
Adam Jarosz, M.A.
tel.: 0048.606.989.338
e-mail: cgs@umk.pl