WB2EU SUMMER SCHOOL: Regaining new European and democratic momentum together, 5 – 9 September 2022, Cres, Croatia

The “Summer School”, organised in Cres (Croatia), will focus on the main topic “Researchers meeting Activists: Regaining new European and democratic momentum together”.

The involvement of young researchers in the project will provide them with knowledge, experience and skills relevant for their academic and professional futures.

This shall lead to

1. an increased interest and understanding of the topic of Europeanisation and democracy development in the Western Balkans among young researchers and thus better opportunities to carry out specific research on the subject for young researchers,
2. increased opportunities in terms of employability and career development,
3. new ties and networks between researchers and civic activists to raise mutual understanding for democracy and Europeanisation,
4. new ways of influencing public debates through qualified and evidence based and yet politically engaged activities.

Programme

Sun, 4 September:

Arrival

Mon, 5 September:

9.30–10.30 Opening session: Welcome by the organisers and introduction of the participants

10.30–10.45 Coffee break

10.45–12.30 Keynote address and open discussion with  Andreas Schieder, Member of the European Parliament:

“A new European momentum? How the war in Ukraine changes the future of EUrope”

Chaired by the Academic Coordinators of the WB2EU project Paul Schmidt, Austrian Society for European Politics (ÖGfE) and Vedran Džihić, Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip)

12.30–14.00 Lunch

14.00–15.30 Open exchange with Andreas Schieder, Member of the European Parliament:

“EU Enlargement – what is at stake?”

Chaired by Paul Schmidt and Vedran Džihić 

15.30–19.00 Free time

19.00–20.30 Evening inspiration: “NextGeneration sharing experiences” with inputs by Dennis Miskić, Alice Lojić et al.

20.30 Welcome dinner

Tue, 6 September:

10.00–12.00 Inputs and open discussion with Paul Schmidt and Vedran Džihić

„EU internal processes and reforms meeting democracy challenges in the Western Balkans“

12.00–13.30 Lunch

13.30–15.00 Creative workshop led by Senada Šelo Šabić, Senior Scientific Associate (Institute for Development and International Relations, IRMO) and Vedran Džihić: 

“Democratic activism for Europe – Ideas and actions to move the region towards new horizons” –
Part I

15.00–18.30 Free time

18.30–20.00 Evening inspiration: “Democracy bottom-up: Crosscutting of perspectives” with Sanja Milotinović Bojanić, Executive Director, Center for Advanced Studies Southeast Europe (CAS SEE), University of Rijeka, Tena Prelec, Research Fellow (University of Oxford, CAS SEE) and Marko-Luka Zubčić, Fellow (CAS SEE)

20.30 Dinner

Wed, 7 September:

09.30–11.00 Keynote address and open discussion with H. E. Juan González-Barba, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Croatia 

„EU enlargement – its risks and opportunities – Spanisch perspective“

Chaired by Paul Schmidt and Vedran Džihić 

11.00–11.30 Coffee break

11.30–13.00 Creative workshop led by Senada Šelo Šabić and Vedran Džihić

“Democratic activism for Europe – Ideas and actions to move the region towards new horizons” –
Part II

13.00–14.30 Lunch

14.30–19.00 Free time – Exploring the island

19.00–20.30 Evening inspiration: “From activism to politics and back” – Talk with Nebojša Zelić, University of Rijeka and candidate of MOZEMO for the city mayor of Rijeka

20.30 Dinner

Thu, 8 September:

10.00–13.00 Creative workshop – with coffee breaks – led by Senada Šelo Šabić and Vedran Džihić

 “Democratic activism for Europe – Ideas and actions to move the region towards new horizons” –
Part III (Drafting a joint document)

13.00–14.30 Lunch

14.30–18.30 Free time

18.30–20.00 Presentation of the final results – discussion – further steps 

20.00 Farewell dinner

Friday, 9 September:

Departure