2019 Summer School on National Minorities in Border Regions

1989 was a year of seismic change for Europe, and for Germany. Regimes fell and emerged, and a new political map of Europe was drawn, containing new countries and delineated by new borders.

Particularly in Germany, the fall of the Berlin Wall meant the beginning of a reunification process between two separate and substantially estranged entities. The economic, structural and political differences between the two Germanys had to be reconciled, ideological rifts mended, and people (re)connected, including new and old minorities in both East and West Germany.

As the GDR disappeared, new states formed east of Germany, causing new border disputes and ethnic conflicts along with a national awakening in many European states.

Today, the GDR is integrated into Germany, several states of Central and Eastern Europe have been integrated into the EU, borders have opened, and many regions see significant cross-border cooperation.

These developments heavily affected the lives of minorities in these regions and in many countries changed how they were perceived. Now, thirty years later, what can we learn from the experiences and transformations of diverse communities in Europe during 1989? What is the legacy of this year, and what might it be able to teach us about the future of both borders and national minorities in Europe?

We will discuss this and other topics at the “9th Annual Summer School on National Minorities in Border Regions” organised jointly by Coppieters Foundation and the European Centre For Minority Issues in Berlin.

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Registration for this summer school is now closed.

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Eligibility and application procedures

The Summer School team aims to select a total number of 25 junior scholars, researchers or practitioners, having the following professional background:

• Students from relevant fields of studies (MA and PhD students)
• Practitioners from the public sector, NGOs or Media

To finalize the submission of an application, applicants must also submit their detailed CV and a Letter of Motivation via email to info@ideasforeurope.eu no later than May 31st, 2019. Please state “NMBR SuS19 Application” in the subject line.

The letter of motivation should

• Explain the reason for the applicant’s interest in participation in the Summer School;
• Assess how they will utilize and benefit from this experience in the future;
• Explain how they would be an asset to this Summer School; and
• Provide at least two references (name, position, affiliation, email and phone number).

The application will not be considered for the selection process unless the required documents are submitted via email.

The selection will be performed on the basis of academic and professional achievements, as well as expressed interest in the topic. Diversity of the group in terms of professional background, gender, and country of origin will be an important factor in the selection process.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for the Summer School 2019 is

• 250 EUR if the application is submitted until April 14th, 2019 (EARLY BIRD discount)
• 300 EUR if the application is submitted after April 14th, 2019

The fee covers:

• Access to all three components of the Summer School 2018 )E-learning, Training, Alumni Network) All reading matrials before and during the Summer School
• Accommodation in four-bed rooms at Meininger Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz for 7 ninghts (September 1st – September 8th)
• Lunches and light refreshments for seven days of the Summer School, as well as two dinners  and a seven-day public transport ticket (Berlin AB)
• A field trip to Bautzen
• Participation in all additional Summer School activities (film screenings, social activities, visits to museums/exhibition)
• Support with bureaucratic matters during your visa application (if needed). Please note that visa fees will not be reimbursed.

Travel costs, as well as visa and health/travel insurance costs will not be reimbursed.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation until July 31st, 2019: 80% of the tuition fee will be refunded, minus any additional incurred costs.

Cancellation after July 31st, 2019: no refund.

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This event is a joint initiative of the Coppieters Foundation and the European Centre for Minority Issues. It is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the conference or the opinions of the speakers.

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