Call for Proposals – Transnational Participation of Minorities Conference

Cfp is closed, program of the conference available on this link.

Minority groups struggle for recognition across Europe not only in formal terms but for the recognition of their (political) interests and considering them in the decision-making process. These struggles or political movements can take place on very different levels of the European political arena.   

Minorities’ claims, interests, opinions or social perspectives can be represented successfully if they can participate in the European project, and if they can influence the outcome of the decision-making process. European integration has impacted on minority politics. First, it helped states adopt minimum standards when it comes to providing political opportunities for minorities. Second, it provides the opportunity for transnational advocacy of minorities as evidenced with the establishment of institutions such as the European Citizens’ Initiative or with the participation of minorities in the work of the European Parliament or with the participation of minority NGOs in the work of different IGO’s. The prospects for transnational mobilization, advocacy and minority participation within European organizations have not yet been fully explored. 

The peacebuilding context is particularly important for minorities in post-conflict societies, where the restoration of trust and inclusion in political processes is essential for long-term stability. European institutions provide platforms for such minority groups to advocate for their rights, contribute to reconciliation efforts, and ensure their voices are heard in the rebuilding of democratic institutions.  

The conference explores the diverse opportunities of transnational minority representation and political mobilization in Europe and in European institutions. We strive to see how transnational minority representation can be conceptualized in a time of growing nationalism and security concerns in European institutions. The conference is intended to cover cases related to political mobilization in European institutions. The organizers welcome papers based on different theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches.  

Panels

• Citizenship and Transnational Politics
• Non-territorial Autonomy
• European Framework for National Roma Policies
• Roma Representation in the Nation States
• Peacebuilding in Post-conflict Societies

Panels focusing specifically on the Roma minority will also serve as a launch event for the recently established Roma Research Group of ELTE's Faculty of Social Sciences.

Keynote Speakers

Kristin HENRARD and Iulius ROSTÁS

Invited Panelists

Mihai Alexandrescu, Nemanja Džuverović, Jelena Lončar, Tamás Lönhárt, Dezső Máté, Paul Popa

Submission of Proposals 

Those interested in presenting at the conference should send an abstract of no more than 350 words and a short CV with the most relevant publications to eutud@tatk.elte.hu by 20 October 2024. Abstracts will be selected based on their quality and potential to trigger high-level discussion about the conference's core themes. 

Any other topics related to the general theme of the conference are welcome. Participation in the conference is free of charge. Should you have any questions, please contact kallai.peter@tatk.elte.hu. 

Organizers

ELTE Department of Human Rights and Politics and the Roma Research Group

Members of the organizing committee: 

• Péter KÁLLAI Assistant Professor, Department of Human Rights and Politics,
  kallai.peter@tatk.elte.hu  
• Karolina LENDÁK-KABÓK Associate Professor, Department of Minority Studies,
  karolina.kabok@tatk.elte.hu  
• Balázs MAJTÉNYI Professor, Department of Human Rights and Politics,
  majtenyi.balazs@tatk.elte.hu  
• Alíz NAGY Assistant Professor, Department of Human Rights and Politics,
  aliz.nagy@tatk.elte.hu  
• Andrew RYDER Professor, Department of Global and Development Studies,
  ryder.andrew@tatk.elte.hu 

The conference is supported by the University Excellence Fund of Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary (ELTE).

Photo credit: Pexels