Transnational Participation of Minorities Conference
21. November 2024. - 22. November 2024.
Faculty of Social Sciences, ELTE (H–1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 7th floor Conference Hall & Room 0.100C)
2024. November 21. - 2024. November 22.
Faculty of Social Sciences, ELTE (H–1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 7th floor Conference Hall & Room 0.100C)
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.
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.
Conference Program and Abstracts (download PDF)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Thursday, 21 November 2024, 7th floor Conference Room |
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09:45 |
Opening Speeches Zoltán Gábor Szűcs as Vice Dean for International Affairs and Deputy Director of Institute of Political and International Studies Andrew Ryder as Chair of the ELTE Roma Research Group and Director of Institute of Political and International Studies |
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10:00 |
Keynote Presentation Kristin Henrard: Nation building and Minority (language) Rights before the ECtHR: Three steps forward, one leap back |
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Coffee break |
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10:45-12:15 Chair: Karolina Lendák-Kabók |
Citizenship and Transnational Politics Mihai Alexandrescu: European Union Citizenship and Its Avatars Paul Popa: Stateless persons and third-country nationals shaping EU's citizenship policies Alíz Nagy: Transnational representation of non-resident voters János Fiala: A human right to citizenship as a source of conflict and forger of new alliances: the case study of the Slovak law on citizenship |
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Lunch break |
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13:30-15:00 Chair: Péter Kállai |
European Framework for National Roma Policies Tamás Lönhárt: Ethnic Minorities Confronted with the Collective Guilt related post-WWII legislation: Political Representation, Politics of Memory and Reconciliation Balázs Vizi: Social integration and/or minority rights – how does the FCNM Advisory Committee identify Roma issues? Anneli Weiste: Community-based participatory research method in Finnish Roma Health and Wellbeing Study Balázs Majtényi: Where is the European protection of Roma rights headed? |
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Coffee break |
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15:15-16:45
Chair: Alíz Nagy |
Non-territorial Autonomy Jelena Lončar: Rethinking substantive representation of ethnic minorities Balázs Kiss: Between Scylla and Charybdis: Lessons from the 2024 Elections of National Minority Self-Governments in Hungary Katinka Beretka: Participation of National Minorities in Serbia, with Special Regard to the Implementation of the Lund Recommendations Balázs Dobos: Territoriality and political participation. Cultural autonomies and minority parliamentary representation in Central and South Eastern Europe
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Friday, 22 November 2024, Ground floor Conference Room, 0.100C |
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09:45 |
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION Iulius Rostás: Decolonizing Minority Rights – A Critical Examination from the Roma Minority Perspective |
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Coffee break |
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10:30-11:45 Chair: Laura Kromják |
Peacebuilding in Post-conflict Societies Karolina Lendák-Kabók: Ethnic Identity and Intermarriage in Post-Yugoslav Spaces: The Impact of Nationalism and Education Hanna Vasilevich: Language Policy and Peacebuilding: Navigating Minority Rights in Post-Conflict Ukraine |
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Lunch break |
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13:00-14:00 |
Comparison of identities and strategies of Roma and Indigenous Canadians (roundtable) Frank Thomas Zsigó, Körtvélyesi Zsolt, Andrew Ryder |
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Coffee break |
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14:15-15:15 |
George Soros and the Roma (roundtable) Andrew Ryder, Frank Thomas Zsigó, Lilla Farkas |
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Coffee break |
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15:30-16:30 Chair: Balázs Majtényi |
Roma Representation in the Nation States Dezső Máté: The Genesis of the “Gypsy” Péter Kállai: Roma representation in Hungarian Parliament 2014-2024 Lilla Farkas: The significance of Roma leadership: the ERRC’s framing of the ‘Roma issue’ before and after 2015 Zsolt Körtvélyesi: The Balkan Chalk Circle? Competing Jurisdictions and Minority Rights |
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Evening: wine reception and final networking at Bura Galéria. Venue: 1085 Budapest, Kőfaragó street 5. |
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Organizers
Department of Human Rights and Politics & ELTE Roma Research Group
The conference is supported by the University Excellence Fund of Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary (ELTE).