Bridging the EU and Russia: BEAR Network Policy Conference (Event 3)

The BEAR network (“Between the EU and Russia: Domains of Diversity and Contestation”), funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ program, brings together scholars from 11 universities in six countries. The network explores attempts to mobilize, influence, protect, and claim regional minority groups on the EU’s eastern borders, as well as to investigate how societal actors in the region draw upon, react to, and engage with the overlapping influences of the EU and Russia. This capstone series of Zoom events brings together Brussels practitioners and BEAR scholars to discuss the theme “Bridging the EU and Russia.”

The May 18th event will feature two academic panels. The first panel on Migration and Citizenship Politics will feature Maria Koinova (University of Warwick), Oxana Shevel (Tufts University), and Myra Waterbury (Ohio University), with commentary from Tom Snels (Deputy Head of Cabinet, Commissioner for Home Affairs, European Commission). It will be followed by a panel on EU, Russia, and Minority Politics, featuring Zsuzsa Csergo (Queen's University), Jennie Schulze (Duquesne University), and Kristina Kallas (University of Tartu), with commentary from Marina Kaljurand (Member of the European Parliament). The two panels will be followed immediately by 10 minutes of closing remarks from Maria Koinova (conference organizer, University of Warwick), Juliet Johnson (BEAR Network Director, McGill University), and Magdalena Dembinska (BEAR Academic Director, University of Montreal).

Programme:

Hours below are listed in CET (Brussels) time. Please note that the time displayed under the "Date and Time" column on the right side of the Eventbrite page reflects your current time zone.

15:00 – 15:55 – Migration and Citizenship Politics Panel

• Maria Koinova, University of Warwick, United Kingdom: “Diaspora Politics and Conflict Processes in the European Neighborhood”
• Oxana Shevel, Tufts University, United States: “The Politics of Dual Citizenship in the Post-Soviet States”
• Myra Waterbury, Ohio University, USA: “The Policy Implications of Divided Nationhood in the European Neighborhood: Lessons from the Case of Hungary”
• Commentator: Tom Snels, Deputy Head of Cabinet of the Commissioner for Home Affairs, European Commission

16:00 – 16:55 - EU, Russia and Minority Politics Panel

• Zsuzsa Csergo, Queen’s University, Canada: “The Problem of Alienated Russophone Minorities Caught between the EU and Russia”
• Jennie Schulze, Duquesne University, USA: “Russia’s Soft Power Agenda and Public Diplomacy: Lessons from the Baltic States”
• Kristina Kallas, University of Tartu: “Is Russian Minority a State Security Risk in the Baltic States?”
• Commentator: Marina Kaljurand, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

17:00 – 17:15 - Closing Remarks: Maria Koinova (conference organizer; University of Warwick), Juliet Johnson (McGill University); and Magdalena Dembinska (University of Montreal)

This event is held as a Zoom webinar. You will receive a Zoom webinar link upon registration. If you are having trouble accessing the link, please contact Ewa Nizalowska, BEAR Network Coordinator, at ewa.nizalowska@mail.mcgill.ca.

Please note that participants will be admitted to the Zoom webinar 5-10 minutes before the start of the event.