As 1989 conjures up different images in different countries and in different generations, this conference is looking to explore what 1989 means for those who were born well after the Wall came down. How do they view the legacy of 1989 today? And what is its legacy? How have diverse experiences of that year shaped these countries’ thinking on security, their political, and economic developments, societies? How has this legacy influenced the new world order after the collapse of the bi-polar system?

Although students are encouraged to submit papers/podcasts/vodcasts relevant to any of these questions, we particularly encourage papers following these topics:

The Legacy of 1989
Democratic Backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe
“The Thirty Years’ Crisis”: Economic Convergence in the EU
State vs. Citizens – The “Unfinished Revolution” of Civic Empowerment and Civil Society
Security and Russia’s Influence in (Central and Eastern) Europe
Go West? Foreign Policy after the Cold War
A Continent Reunited? Norms, Values, and Identity in (Central and Eastern) Europe

Please submit your abstracts or podcast/vodcast proposal* to this form by 20 June 2019. Submissions should be between 250-300 words. Final papers are expected to be 3-4,000 words.

The conference is open to students who have completed their first year at university.

*Please be aware that if you intend to submit a podcast/vodcast, you will be expected to also have to submit a 1,000 word paper to supplement your submission.