November 2006, Issue no 52
http://resource.regional.net
impact@regionalnet.org

1. Funding Opportunities

2. Announcements and Upcoming Events

3. Useful Links

ASO Ljubljana and ASO Sofia - Research Cooperation and Networking between Austria, Slovenia, Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe
Application deadline: February 9, 2007


The Austrian Science and Research Liaison Offices Ljubljana/Slovenia and Sofia/Bulgaria (ASOs) announce a Call for proposals for projects in Research Cooperation and Networking between institutions in Austria, the ASO countries Slovenia and Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia, including Kosovo).

The call wants to intensify the short-term cooperation in the scientific field of ‘Information Science and Society in SEE countries’ with the aim to support the development of long-term scientific collaboration. Funding is provided by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture in the framework of its South Eastern European science cooperation initiative. The project activities must be implemented after signing the contract and before May 2008.

The funding available is 118.000 Euro and it is envisaged to support around 10 projects following this call. The allowable funding per project depends on the content, duration and number of teams involved. For projects with higher than average financial costs, cofinancing is expected.

The funded activities shall enable scientists from Austria, Slovenia, Bulgaria and other South Eastern European countries to work together on mutually beneficial projects. The main goal is to promote networking, the exchange of research results and know-how, comparative studies and know-how exchange on European standards and preactices in the specified areas. The activities should build on already existing scientific results.

Eligible participants are universities, non-university research institutions and tertiary education organisations. The consortium composition must include one partner from Austria, one partner either from Slovenia or Bulgaria and at least one partner from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia (including Kosovo) and Montenegro.

More information
Website: http://www.aso.zsi.at/en/all/ausschreibung/303.html
E-mail: aso@zsi.at (Elke Dall / Andrea Christiane Mayr, Centre for Social Innovation)
aso-ljubljana@zsi.at (Miroslav Polzer, ASO Ljubljana)
aso-sofia@zsi.at (Martin Felix Gajdusek, ASO Sofia)


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Youth Initiative for Human Rights Belgrade, and Logos, Sarajevo - Introductory Training ‘Capacity Building of Youth for LGBTIQ Activism’, January 22 – 24, 2007, Prishtina, Kosovo/UNMIK
Application deadline: December 4, 2006


It aims at identifying and creating a critical mass of young LGBTIQ activists who will take part in the future activities of the two organisations. We plan to achieve this objective through education and individual capacity building of young people from the region.

This training will include two sets, as follows:
1. Basic Notions (human rights in the context of LGBTIQ activism and religion)
2. Basic Skills (project management, public relations, etc.).

Training will consist of lectures, workshops, screening of documentary movies and discussions, held by the representatives of the non-governmental organisations, as well as experts in the aforementioned subjects.

Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the organisers.

Should you be interested in this training, kindly send in your application consisting of a brief curriculum vitae (no more than one page) and a motivation letter that clearly states why you are interested in LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) activism. Applicants with incomplete applications will not be considered. Selection criteria for the participants in this basic training includes:
· Clear motivation for active participation in the work of the two organisations
· Participants should not be younger than 18 or older than 30, with the residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro or Kosovo.

More information
Website: www.yihr.org
www.logos.org.ba
E-mail: office@yihr.org
logos@logos.org.ba
trening@yihr.org


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Central European University - Full Scholarships Available for Roma
Application deadline: December 8, 2006


Central European University (CEU), with the financial support of the Roma Education Fund, is offering a 9 month Preparatory Course for international post-graduate studies in Budapest for promising young Roma. Full scholarships will be awarded, covering travel, tuition, housing and living stipend.

The goal is to prepare Roma to access international post-graduate education (at master's level) through open competition at CEU, North American or Western European universities. The program will:
· Involve Roma students in the core degree programs of CEU (auditing CEU classes)
· Prepare them for their chosen field of study through intensive training
· Accustom them to advanced academic life
· Raise their English to a level adequate for post-graduate study
· Train them in post-graduate level academic skills.

The full-time course will start in April 2007 and last until December 2007. It is a combination of:
1. Discipline specific tutoring (in the fields of Law/Human Rights or Sociology or Gender Studies or Political Science or International Relations and European Studies; additional disciplines may be offered)
2. General Social Science Tutoring
3. Academic courses
4. Academic writing
5. English language training

Who can apply?
Young Roma from Central and Eastern Europe (Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, FYR Macedonia, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia (including Kosovo), Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine) who have:
· A university/college degree in any field (preferably in the Social Sciences or Humanities)
· Strong interest in post-graduate university education
· At least pre-intermediate English language skills
· Desire to study in a multicultural environment.

The application must include:
1. Completed Application Form (in English)
2. CV, including academic background, work experience if any, and involvement in Roma related issues in your country if any (in English)
3. Letter of Intention, stating why you would like to participate in this program (in English)
4. One Reference Letter from a recognized Roma organization - translation into English should be attached if the recommendation is written in local language
5. One Reference Letter from a university professor or your employer - translation into English should be attached if the recommendation is written in local language
6. Official copies (bearing an ink stamp and a signature of a notary public or an authorized university official) of all University Documents (diploma and documents showing your grades).

More information
E-mail: romaac@ceu.hu


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The New Europe College - Europa Fellowships Program 2007 - 2008, Bucharest, Romania
Application deadline: December 15, 2006


The New Europe College - Institute for Advanced Study in Bucharest, Romania, announces the Europa Fellowships Program, supported by the VolkswagenStiftung (Hanover, Germany).

The program targets researchers and academics from South-Eastern Europe (including Romania), as well as young Western scholars working on South-Eastern Europe. Applicants must be doctoral students, or hold a Ph.D. title.

Duration of the Fellowship: a) a full academic year (10 months, October through July) or b) a one-term fellowship (October through February, or March through July).

The Fellowship consists of a monthly stipend of 600 Euro (tax free), accommodation, international transportation to and from the home country of the Fellows at the beginning and the end of the Fellowship, as well as for season holidays. The Fellows who stay for the whole academic year are offered a one-month research trip abroad to an institution of their choice (2,560 Euro for transportation, accommodation, and per diem).

The Fellows will be invited to work as members of a team in the framework of a general research topic entitled Traditions of the New Europe. A Pre-history of the European Integration in South-Eastern Europe.

This year's theme-within the general research topic-is focusing on the issue of Inhabiting. Each Fellow will contribute with his/her own research, and will take part in scientific events organized by the New Europe College. At the end of their Fellowship, each Fellow is expected to hand in the research paper comprising the results of his/her work over the duration of the Fellowship. The papers will be included in a NEC publication.

Working languages: English, French, and German. A good command of English is desirable.

More information
Website: www.nec.ro
E-mail: imihai@nec.ro (Irina Vainovski-Mihai, Program Coordinator)


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Andrew W. Mellon East-Central European Research Visiting Fellowship 2007 - 2008 in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Application deadline: December 15, 2006


The Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) jointly award Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellowships in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The three-month fellowships, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, will enable scholars from Eastern and Central Europe to work in Vienna on research projects of their choice within the framework of the scholarly community and activities of the IWM.

Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellows are invited to spend three months at the IWM to pursue their research projects while working in residence at the Institute. The fellows will receive a stipend to cover living expenses, travel, health insurance and incidentals. The IWM will provide Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellows with a guest apartment, an office with a personal computer and access to e-mail and internet, in-house research facilities and other relevant sources in Vienna. Fellowship terms are July - September 2007; October - December 2007; January - March 2008; and April - June 2008.

The IWM is accepting applications from scholars from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia for its Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Fellowships. The candidates must be citizens or permanently reside in one of the countries concerned must have obtained a Ph.D. should hold a senior academic position (at least associate professor level). The fellowships are intended for younger post-doctoral scholars and, although there is no specific age limit, preference will be given to those under 45 years of age.

Research projects must be thematically related to the IWM's research fields. Detailed information can be found under www.iwm.at/research.

The application consists of the following materials:
- the application form
- a concise research proposal in English (max. 4 pages, doublespaced, A4)
- a curriculum vitae and list of publications
- the names of two referees familiar with the applicant's academic work.

More information
Website: http://www.iwm.at/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=256
E-mail: fellowships@iwm.at (Subject: Mellon Fellowships)


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John F. Kennedy School of Government - Kokkalis Fellowship
Application deadline: January 5, 2007


The Kokkalis Program strives to provide individuals committed to invigorating the public sector in Southeastern and East-Central Europe with educational opportunities to explore effectual and pioneering means of governance. For this reason, it awards fellowships to enable individuals from the region to pursue one of the following Master’s degrees at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University:
* Master in Public Policy (MPP)
* Master in Public Administration (MPA2)
* Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID)
* Master in Public Administration/Mid-Career (MPA/MC)

Eligible to apply for the Kokkalis Fellowship Program are natives of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey, who are applying to one of the following degree programs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government: Master in Public Policy (MPP); Master in Public Administration (MPA2); Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA); Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID).

Candidates should hold an undergraduate degree recognized by their native state and an academic and/or professional background in one of the following fields: social sciences, public policy and/or administration, the non-profit sector, law, economics, business, or work experience in related fields. All applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and the region of Southeastern Europe.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must complete the following steps:
1. Complete the on-line Kennedy School of Government application for the degree program for which you are applying (MPP; MPA2; MPA/ID; MPA/MC) by the appropriate deadline. All candidates applying for the Kokkalis Fellowship must also apply separately for admission to the Kennedy School (i.e. complete the Kennedy School’s application for admission and submit all information, documentation and test scores by the dates required by the Kennedy School). For complete details on the Kennedy School’s admissions procedures, deadlines, and requirements, see http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/apply.
2. Complete all sections of the on-line Kokkalis Fellowship application by January 5, 2007:
* Personal Data
* Professional Work Experience
* Educational Experience
* Recommendation Letters
* 2 Essays (500 words minimum - 750 words maximum). Applications with essays of less than 500 words will not be accepted or considered
* Verification Page.
Kokkalis Fellowship applicants may be invited to interview with a member of the Kokkalis Fellowship selection committee. Applicants who are invited to interview will be required to provide a hard paper copy of their Kennedy School application. Kokkalis Fellowship interviews are strictly related to the Fellowship, and do not impact any decision made by the Kennedy School of Government’s Admissions Committee regarding your degree program application.

More information
Website: http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/apply/


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Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Development Cooperation SDC - Swiss Cultural Programme Romania - Artists-in-Residence 2007
Application deadline: January 15, 2007


ArtistNe(s)t creates an Artists-in-Residence Programme in four Cultural Centers in Romania (Cultural Centre Arcus, Cultural Centre ‘George Apostu’, Bacau, Cultural Centre ‘Rosetti Tescanu-George Enescu’, Tescani, European Cultural Centre Sinaia).
ArtistNe(s)t supports the creative activities of artists and researchers open to innovation and cooperation in the disciplines: visual art, literature, theatre and dance.
ArtistNe(s)t encourages the dialogue between Romanian and foreign artists.

The Swiss Cultural Programme Romania invites artists to apply for a residence in 2007.
Number of residencies: 8
Duration of each residence: 4 weeks
Period for ArtistNe(s)t residences in 2007: May 1 to 31, two residences in each centre
Residencies address the following disciplines: Theatre (Arcus), Dance (Bacau), Literature (Tescani), Visual arts (Sinaia).
The 8 residences in 2007 are addressed to 4 Romanian and 4 foreign Artists, so that there will usually be two resident artists in one Centre, one Romanian and one from another country.

The residences at the Cultural Centres allow resident artists:
– to work on a proposed project (production or research project) and to present it at the end of the residence
– to become familiar with the work of the other resident artist
– to exchange knowledge and ideas
– to work on a common project and/or a project involving local participants (e.g. actors from local theatres, students etc.).

The resident artists are also offered opportunities to get in contact with the local cultural scene through visits to cultural institutions in the area, meetings with local artists, attending performances, exhibitions etc. Each residence programme will include a workshop/lecture/reading for the local community. In each Centre two project coordinators and an artistic coach will support these activities. The resident artists must spend a minimum of 2/3 of the allocated residence time at the Centres.

Criteria of selection
– Professional artist with at least three years of experience in the respective field of work
– Interest in developing innovative artistic work within a foreign cultural context
– Work/research on the specific local context are particularly welcome
– Working knowledge of English.

Living and working conditions
– individual studio at artist’s disposal
– working space
– free use of computer and internet.

Financial support
Artists will receive:
- a monthly grant of CHF 1200.– for food, local travel and other related costs; this grant is subject to a 16% tax
- a production budget of CHF 1000.– for the realization and presentation of the proposed project
- a return ticket from/to the place of the residence (a maximum of 600 CHF for the artists from other countries).
The medical insurance for the time of the residence is in the artist's charge. Visa costs for Romania are in the artist’s charge.

Applications have to include a proposal for a project to be realised during the residence, the artist’s CV and some documentation about artist’s work.

More information
Website: www.artistnest.ro
www.pro-helvetia.ro
E-mail: gabrielatudor@pro-helvetia.ro (Gabriela Tudor, Programme Officer)


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International Visegrad Fund - Visegrad Artists Residency Programme
Application deadline: January 15, 2007


Visegrad Artists Residencies are for artistic projects. The country of citizenship and country of permanent residence of the artist must be different from the hosting country. The length of supported period of residency is 3 months.

To apply for the residency, each artist has to find a Host Organization, which will accept her/his residency project. Compulsory annexes to the application are as follows:
1. Copy of ID or passport
2. Documentation of the previous artistic works
3. Residency project accepted by the Hosting Organization.
Every applicant for the residency will be evaluated by the selection committee, consisting of four independent experts covering different fields of art. The artists will be selected from among the citizens of Visegrad countries on the basis of proportionality.

Selected artists will receive residency fee of 750 EUR per month and the Hosting Organization will receive 750 EUR per month to cover expenses related to the residency.

More information
Website: http://www.visegradfund.org/residence.html
E-mail: artist@visegradfund.org


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European Commission Directorate-General for Development - Lorenzo Natali Prize for journalists reporting on Human Rights and Democracy
Application deadline: January 31, 2007


The Lorenzo Natali Prize 2006 is open to print and on-line journalists employed by the local media in following five regions: Europe / Africa / Arab World Iran Israel / Asia and Pacific / Latin America and Caribbean.

Eligible journalists should have written reports which focus on human rights or democracy in the developing world. Each applicant is allowed to submit ONE article published between 1st September 2005 and 31st December 2006.

All prize nominees will be special guests of the European Commission in Brussels.

Each prize winner will receive a Trophy and a financial award. A total of 50.000Euro prize money is awarded to the best articles.

To enter, you only need to fill in the application form online and submit it along with an electronic version of your article.

More information
Website: www.nataliprize.eu


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Nuffic - HSP Huygens programme
Application deadline: February 1, 2007


The HSP Huygens programme is open to students from all countries of the world. It is aimed at talented students who want to come to the Netherlands in the final phase of their bachelor's studies or during their master's studies. Study can include research and/or practical training. PhD applications can only be accepted from students from Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.

The Dutch Minister for Education, Culture and Science has made four million euros available for international students coming to the Netherlands under the HSP Huygens programme. There is no fixed number of available scholarships, but the actual number is determined by the total cost of the variable components of the scholarships.

The starting date of the HSP scholarship is September 1th, 2007. Approval notices from the Dutch institution must be received by Nuffic by 15 January 2007 at the latest.

More information
Website: http://www.nuffic.net/common.asp?id=1817


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European Commission - Culture Programme 2007 – 2013
Application deadline: February 28, 2007


· Strand 1.1 Multi-annual Co-operation Projects
· Strand 1.2.1 Co-operation Measures
· Strand 1.2.2 Literary Translation

The European Commission's proposal regarding the culture programme (2007–2013) has not yet been formally adopted by the EU legislature. Nonetheless, the Commission has decided to publish this call for proposals now to enable prompt implementation of this programme after the adoption of its legal basis by the EU legislature, which should take place soon, and to enable potential beneficiaries of Community grants to prepare their proposals as soon as possible.

Objectives and description
The programme is intended to help enhance the cultural area shared by Europeans, the foundations for which lie in their common cultural heritage, through the development of cultural cooperation between artists, cultural stakeholders and cultural institutions in the countries participating in the programme (1) with a view to encouraging the emergence of European citizenship through transnational mobility of people working in the cultural sector, transnational circulation of artistic and cultural works and products, and an intercultural dialogue.

The new programme goes beyond the purely sectoral approach (as practised in previous generations of cultural programmes) by adopting an inter-disciplinary approach. This move away from sectoral compartmentalization is intended to foster greater cooperation between cultural operators by encouraging crosssector cooperation projects. The programme is open to all non-audiovisual cultural operators and sectors, including cultural enterprises, where they are acting in a non-profit-making cultural capacity.

Purpose of the call for proposals
This call for proposals aims to award Community grants, following a selection process, to two types of actions from any artistic or cultural field:
— Strand 1.1 Multi-annual cooperation projects
— Strand 1.2.1 Cooperation measures

The intention is to strengthen European cultural cooperation through funding for approximately 136 applications (around 16 multi-annual cooperation projects and some 120 cooperation measures). In general, particular attention will be paid to actions promoting intercultural dialogue with the intention of introducing some or all of the activities in 2008, the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

(Strand 1.1) multi-annual cooperation projects
Funding will be provided for cultural cooperation projects aiming to achieve sustainable and structured cooperation between cultural operators from countries participating in the programme. This funding is intended to support these projects during their launch and structuring phase or during their geographical expansion phase to enable them to develop over the long-term and achieve financial independence. At least six cultural operators from at least six of the countries participating in the programme should be involved in these projects, and the projects must run for between three and five years.

(Strand 1.2.1) cooperation measures
Funding will be provided for cultural cooperation actions of a sectoral or multi-sectoral nature. Priority will be given to measures that target creativity and innovation and look into ways of encouraging long-term cooperation. At least three cultural operators from at least three of the countries participating in the programme should be involved in these measures. The measures cannot run for more than 24 months.

All actions financed under the two strands must begin before 15 November 2007.

Available budget
In total, the budget allocated for this call for proposals comes to approximately EUR 15 500 000 for strand 1.1 (multiannual cooperation projects) and EUR 12 000 000 for strand 1.2.1 (cooperation measures).
Community funding for the multi-annual cooperation projects (strand 1.1) cannot exceed 50 % of the total budget for the action being funded and is calculated according to a sliding scale. It cannot be more than
EUR 500 000 per year.
Community funding for the cooperation measures (strand 1.2.1) cannot exceed 50 % of the budget for the action being funded and the amount must be between EUR 50 000 and EUR 200 000.

Eligibility criteria
Only applicants who meet the following criteria will be subject to an in-depth assessment.
5.1. Establishment/body/type of applicant eligible
Grant applications made by applicants who have the following characteristics will be examined: a public or private body with legal status whose principal activity is in the cultural field and whose registered office is located in one of the countries participating in the programme and which has the financial and operational capacity needed to complete the action proposed.
5.2. Eligible countries
Cultural operators whose registered office is located in one of the countries participating in the programme are eligible:
— European Union Member States
— The three EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) subject to the adoption of the appropriate decision by the EEA joint committee
— Candidate countries (Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) and the countries of the western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia including Kosovo (UN Security
Council Resolution 1244) subject to conclusion of the appropriate Memorandum of Understanding laying down the detailed rules for their involvement.

More information
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_en.html


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Europe House-Sofia and the National Student Confederation – ‘Teaching Europe’ International Seminar, December 10 – 17, 2006, Sofia, Bulgaria
Application deadline: December 3, 2006


The idea for the project came up in connection with Plan D of the European Commission for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate. The necessity for information about the processes on the continent, as well as the need for building leadership skills in young people aiming at awakening their civil consciousness and acceptance of the common European values, are some of the basic motives, which have provoked the initiation of this project. We are all Europe and Europe is everywhere. The European project must not be perceived as an elite project but as an important part of life for everyone.

The main objective of the project is to give practical knowledge to the participants about the way EU works. The project will involve governmental officials, elected representatives, as well as scholars, activists of civil society organizations and, most importantly, the participants themselves in a series of debates. The political, social, economic and cultural aspects that the seminar addresses will contribute to the broader involvement of the citizens in the integration process and will turn them into active participants in the future of Europe debate. Their involvement into the debate, is a condition for overcoming stereotypes and national barriers in the context of creating a common European identity in terms of better knowledge of EU issues.

The rich social program, including a sightseeing trip to the Rila Monastery, one of the most significant and picturesque monuments on the Balkans, will enable the participants to feel the atmosphere of Bulgaria - an ever-evolving and modern country with great cultural heritage and traditions, dating back from Roman and Byzantine times.

Participating Conditions:
Age: 18-25
Countries: EU Member states, Romania, Croatia, Norway
Number: 25
Costs: 70% of Travel Costs will be reimbursed (up to 220 Euro)
Fee/person: 75 Euro participation
Board & lodging covered by the organisers.

More information
E-mail: nsc@scas.acad.bg


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‘Political Culture and Cultural Politics in Central and South East Europe 1850-1950’ International Workshop, July 5 – 7, 2007, Sofia, Bulgaria
Application deadline: January 5, 2007


Organisers: Institute of Balkan Studies with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Research Group in European Urban Culture Newcastle, UK

Urbanization transformed both central and south-eastern Europe during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, creating new social groups, and new ways of perceiving society which in turn informed new forms of politics. There is already an extensive literature on the national politics of these regions, from the nationalities policies and nationalist movements of the German and Austro-Hungarian empires to the party politics of the successor states.

The aim of this workshop is to examine the development of political cultures in a range of different kinds of urban environment from the two regions. The focus will be on points of contact between culture and politics in two broad categories.

Political culture will be defined as the cultural forms and media in which politics finds expression, or through which political ideas are transmitted: press and news media, pamphlets and political literature, contemporary scholarship and academic research, propaganda and state publicity, caricature, satire, and commentary, slogans, symbols and uniforms, music and songs. Cultural politics will be understood as the ways in which culture is political in the broadest sense, or has political purposes: cultural and educational policies of national and local governments, the establishment of cultural institutions, relations between government or political movements and cultural industries, political uses of popular culture (whether commercial or `grass roots'), the politics of memorials and monuments, ritual, ceremony, the performance of politics and staging of history, political activities or affiliations of art movements, political uses of sport, sporting events and leisure activities, including tourism.

Participants will examine the ways in which culture has been used to reinforce or undermine political authority, or has assisted the growth and development of political movements, and they will look at the ways in which culture and cultural events have been used explicitly by those with political authority to further political ends.

Presentations will be 30 minutes and followed by time for discussion. Proposals should be up to 500 words.

More information
E-mail: clio_dp@yahoo.co.uk (Dobrinka Parusheva)
t.b.kirk@ncl.ac.uk (Tim Kirk)


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Inter-Disciplinary.Net - ‘War, Virtual War and Human Security' 4th Global Conference, May 2 – 5, 2007, Budapest, Hungary
Application deadline: January 12, 2007


Is war an extension of politics by other means? The locomotive of technology? Is it humankind in its most natural state; or is human society - despite perceptions and ongoing conflict around the world today - actually moving toward an aversion to war and a state of peace? This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary conference seeks to provide a challenging forum for the examination and evaluation of the nature, purpose and experience of war, and its impacts on all aspects of communities across the world. Viewing war as a multi-layered phenomenon, the conference series seeks to explore the historical, legal, social, human, religious, economic, and political contexts of conflicts, and assess the place of art, journalism, literature, music, the media and the internet in representation and interpretation of the experience of warfare.

In particular papers, workshops, reports, and presentations are invited on any of the following themes:
1. How do we Talk about War?
Portrayal, awareness, language and expression. How do we come to understand war in contemporary and historical cultures?
2. Representations and Experiences
Viewing War as a multi-layered social phenomena.
3. History and Development of Warfare and War Fighting.
How have we fought and why. Lessons learned, mistakes repeated.
4. Extent, Conduct and Morality
Can war even be distinguished form peace, combatant from non-combatant, who are legitimate targets? The totalisation of war in modern culture.
5. Rights and Security
Have the means and methods in war, finally outpaced International law and norms of behaviour? What protection is available? If truth is the first casualty in war, is human rights the second?
6. The Boundaries of War
How far will humankind push the limits of acceptable behaviour and practice in war?
7. Prevention and Peace
Can we give peace a chance? Viewing war as un-natural, preventable within a variety of frameworks. The legal mechanisms and the trans-national social movements 'waging peace'.
8. Non-state Actors and NGOs in War
Breaking the state conundrum, participation in relief from the depredations of war, alleviating the suffering, advocacy from theatres of war. Or compromising humanitarian Aid? Force multipliers? Abrogating combatant's responsibilities toward their populations.
9. Future War: Revolutions in Military Affairs
Emerging Types of Warfare. Be afraid, be very afraid. Are there no limits to mans inhumanity to man?

The Steering Group particularly welcomes the submission of pre-formed panel proposals. Papers will also be considered on any related theme. 300 word abstracts should be submitted in Word, WordPerfect, PDF or RTF formats. If an abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should be submitted by Friday 13th April 2007.

The conference is part of the Probing the Boundaries programme of research projects. It aims to bring together people from different areas and interests to share ideas and explore various discussions which are innovative and exciting.

Three volumes of themed papers are in preparation and/or in print from the previous meetings of this project. All papers accepted for and presented at this conference will be eligible for publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers accepted for and presented at the conference will be published in a themed hard copy volume.

More information
Website: http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ptb/wvw/wvw4/cfp.html
E-mail: ggoldsworthy@gmail.com (Graeme Goldsworthy, Harvard Medical School)
andrew.wilson@nwc.navy.mil (Andrew Wilson, United States Naval War College)
wvw4@inter-disciplinary.net (Rob Fisher, Inter-Disciplinary.Net)


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4th International Political Marketing Conference, April 17 – 21, 2007, Sinaia, Romania
Application deadline: January 15, 2007


The theme of this edition is ‘Political Marketing Concepts for Effective Leadership Behaviour’

In a fast moving world societies and cultures are shaped by powerful or weak leaders. The impact on politics and policies is not only by classical political leaders, political officials to say. Corporate leaders, cultural leaders, or even media-stars are moving the local, nation or world agenda. On a market that becomes the whole society ideas and values are in an extensive process of exchange and change. The processes of societal or group transformation are multi-directional, and thus the leaders themselves get influenced in the development. As it stands as a witness of these evolutions, political marketing is interested to understand the role and means of action leaders build up when acting on the societal market.

We invite you to participate in this wide debate of how political marketing can outline effective leadership and comprehend the political changes determined by the interactions of leaders and various social and political groups. The Conference will be framed by some general areas of interest for political marketing but also by specific topics relevant to the theme. Thus, we call applicants to concentrate the effort on the following directions:
a) The use of political marketing strategy patterns for effective political leadership.
b) Comparative marketing of political organizations and political leaders. A special attention will be addressed to the marketing of political parties as organizations of leaders.
c) Mass-media role in the rising and fall of political leadership.
d) The impact of leaders on public agenda.
e) The influence of political culture on marketing political leaders.
f) The ethics of political marketing in relation to leadership behavior.
g) The risk evaluation in political campaigns as an instrument for competitive political leaders.
h) Lobbying and Public Affairs in Europe and the EU post enlargement. This is a special panel having the Journal of Public Affairs as a partner.
i) Political Marketing Concepts for Effective Public Diplomacy.

The conference is open to students (graduates and undergraduates in their final years), scholars, researchers and practitioners in Political Marketing who are willing to present research papers or to assist in the event. The International Political Marketing Conference is preceded by a Doctoral Colloquium open to PhD students.

There are several ways to participate in the conference:
1) Active participant only in the Conference
2) Active participant only in the Doctoral Colloquium
3) Active participant both in the Conference and Doctoral Colloquium (different applications)
4) Public of the Conference (you must also apply / see Submission Forms)

Important dates
Conference abstract submission: January 15, 2007
Conference abstract acceptance notification: February 5, 2007
Doctoral colloquium applications submissions: February 10, 2007
Doctoral colloquium applications acceptance notification: February 20, 2007

Early registration: February 25, 2007
Regular registration: March 10, 2007
Papers submission: March 20, 2007
Conference period: April 17-21, 2007

More information
Website: http://conference.rsunit.com
http://conference.rsunit.com/html/submission_forms.html
E-mail: administrator2007@politicalmarketing.ro


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CEU Political Science Journal. The Graduate Student Review
Application deadline: January 20, 2007


CEU Political Science Journal is a publication emerged in the academic community of Central European University, Budapest. It is primarily targeted at graduate students from CEU, but valuable contributions from outside are also welcome. The Journal accepts now submissions for its first issue, volume 2. The theme of this issue is ‘Discourse analysis in the post-Communist space’.

Post-Communist societies have met an avalanche of new discourses in the new democratized social space. In this sense, Discourse Analysis can be used as an excellent tool to trace the fundamental changes that took place within this space. The theme is broadly designed in order to make sure that the variety of approaches and subjects fit within it. The Journal contains a special Work in Progress section designated to present researches still under finalization and PhD research proposals.

Moreover, starting with this number, we initiate a section of book reviews that approaches the relevant books in Political Science and related fields.

For questions concerning the appropriateness of possible submissions and book reviews, please contact the editors.

More information
Website: www.personal.ceu.hu/PolSciJournal
E-mail: ceu_polsci@yahoo.com


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International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS) - Call for Papers for POLITIKON - IAPSS Academic Journal
Application deadline: January 31, 2007


The Editorial Board of Politikon, the International Association for Political Science Students’ Academic Journal, invites graduate and undergraduate students to submit papers for review and possible publication in its 13th edition.

Founded in 2001, the journal is published twice yearly and distributed in hard copy and online to more than 10,000 IAPSS members in more than 40 countries on every continent. Politikon publishes the best in undergraduate and graduate student scholarship from around the world. Politikon is recognised globally for its position as one of the leading academic journals publishing the work of students from across the fields of political science and international relations. The peer-review and refereeing process involves full Professors, leading academics and experts from across the world and abstracts from Politikon are included in the International Political Science Association’s (IPSA) Annual International Political Science Abstracts.

Politikon is funded through contributions from both private and public institutions. These have included local and regional political science associations from throughout Europe and, in recent times, the European Commission. As well, Politikon benefits from IAPSS’s partnerships with other established political science associations – including IPSA, the International Studies Association (ISA) and the European Political Science Network (epsNet) – with Politikon authors being invited to attend and present their research at major conferences and seminars. Events where Politikon authors have been invited include the 2006 ISA Annual Convention in San Diego and the 2007 IPSA Congress in Fukuoka , with authors also being invited to the forthcoming 2007 ISA Annual Convention in Chicago .

In a crowded academic publication market Politikon has carved out a niche, becoming on of the longest standing and most highly regarded journals of political science and international relations for students in the world.

Articles submitted to the journal should meet the following standards:
· English language
· 4000 – 7000 words, including footnotes
· Microsoft Word or RTF file format
· Fully referenced in Harvard style (see http://tinyurl.com/nsfcg)
· An abstract of no more than 125 words
· Biographical information of the author (no more than 50 words)
· Be concerned with political science, international relations, international law, political economy, public policy or a related field. For this issue the Editorial Board is particularly interested in articles which consider environmental issues.

More information
Website: www.iapss.org
www.iapss.org/politikon/
E-mail: politikonjournal@iapss.org


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People to People International - Youth seminar against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance ‘How to Move Forward?’, May 4 - 9, 2007, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Application deadline: February 10, 2007


'How to Move Forward?' is a project for the countries from South Eastern Europe. Its main aim is to promote tolerance between the different ethnic groups on the Balkans and to combat the racism and xenophobia, which are one of the main problems in the region.

Target group:
- Motivated young leaders and workers, project leaders, trainers, NGO representatives and other multipliers from Albania , Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria, Croatia , Czech Republic , Greece , Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, TFYRO Macedonia and Turkey
- Already have experience and in working as trainers and educators with young people
- Be able and committed to act as multipliers or trainers for human rights education
- Be motivated to develop their knowledge and competence in human rights education and to share their experiences with other participants
- Be able to work in English
- Be committed to attend for the full duration of the course and be supported by an organisation, institution or service
- Age preferably between 18 and 30.

Application fee: 20 Euro. Food and accommodation are provided; travel expenses are covered to 75%.

Work language: English.

More information
Website: http://www.ptpi-bg.tripod.com/youthseminar/af.html
http://www.ptpi-bg.tripod.com
E-mail: ptpi_plovdiv@yahoo.com


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Academic Solutions - The Conflict Management in the Balkans
Application deadline: March 1, 2007


The peace dividend promised by the end of the Cold War rapidly disintegrated into the flames of war across the former Yugoslavia, historically a pivotal point for tension and conflict in Europe. The Conflict Management Program in Slovenia offers a unique opportunity to examine past conflicts in the Balkans and their consequences firsthand. What lessons can be learned for future conflict management? Within the program, special emphasis is placed on the role of foreign intervention, the contribution of political and economic transformation to both conflict and peace, and the power of conflict prevention and resolution.

This program is ideal for students of international relations, political science, Slavic studies, or anyone interested in peace and justice. Those particularly interested in eventually working for a governmental, intergovernmental or non-governmental organisation with programs in conflict prevention and resolution will find this an ideal opportunity to study the sources and solutions of conflict firsthand.

This program is ideal for students of international relations, political science, Slavic studies and anyone interested in peace and justice. Those particularly interested in eventually working for a governmental, intergovernmental or non-governmental organisation with programs in conflict prevention and resolution will find this an ideal opportunity to study the sources and solutions of conflict firsthand. This is a unique opportunity to test the international and media perceptions of these wars against the reality experienced by those who lived through them.

The program is open to university students worldwide who will have completed at least two years of their undergraduate education prior to participating in the program, have an overall GPA of at least 3.0, English language proficiency and are serious about their academic work. The program is selective and designed for no more than 15 students.

The Program Fee of $5,450 includes tuition, housing, a technology fee, on-site orientation, a weeklong study tour to neighboring Balkan states, and some program-organized activities and excursions. Food, personal expenses, local transport, passport charges, required health insurance, and airfare are among the costs not covered by the Program Fee. Our mission is to enable better decision-making by future leaders on issues related to conflict prevention, resolution and management. However we realize that the cost of the Conflict Management in the Balkans Program can be an insuperable barrier for some students, which is why we have created three new scholarships: Essay Based, Slovene Heritage and European Perspective.

More information
Website: http://www.academic-solutions.com/slovenia/index_slo.htm
E-mail: slovenia@academic-solutions.com


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Humanities Research Center - Summer School for Young Social Scientists, June 1 – 10, 2007, Bulgaria
Application deadline: March 30, 2007


The Humanities Research Center - Bulgaria together with the Institute of Sociology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Chairs of Sociology at Sofia and Southwestern Universities have the pleasure to announce a Summer School for Young Social Scientists. It will gather a faculty of leading Bulgarian and European experts, and will be devoted to the improving knowledge in the fields of sociology, social practice, social awareness and about environmental issues.

This workshop will include such topics as ethnosociology, issues of poverty, culture under market society, conflict resolution, social work, involvement of potential stockholders and other interested parties, lobbying, Ecodesign. Working visits to related sites as municipality, ethnic minorities' communities, a national park/reserve, and so on is provided where participants will discuss with staff and local authorities and NGOs about their experience. Curricula is still under preparation and, thus, we are still able to accept suggestions and inquiries to improve it to meet in the best possible way interests and demands of the potential participants.

We are still looking for certain funding, but for the moment it is expected participants to cover transportation, accommodation and other expenses. The tax to be paid for attendance is 400 Euro/500 USD until March 2007, and 500 Euro/600 USD for late applicants. This amounts covers tuition, accommodation, meals and one working trip related to the chosen topic. There might be additional payment for tourist trips for visiting historical or natural landmarks.

We are looking forward for more foreign participants in our Summer School. This might be the first step toward a fruitful cooperation between our academic communities, which is still too scarce. Prospective participants may send their CVs and a brief description what they expect from this workshop by e-mail.

More information
E-mail: hrc@hrc-bg.com
snikolov@hrc-bg.com


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EURELA - Call for Papers: Edited Volume on Voting Rights of the Disabled
Application deadline: May 15, 2007


The purpose of the book is to give overview of the legal framework and developments in various countries rather than deep theoretical discussions. Each chapter will cover the regulation of voting by visually and physically impaired in one of the selected countries. The chapters will be short - between three and eight pages. Authors from all European countries as well as other established democracies (U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.) are welcome.

All the chapters will be structured the same way and will follow the same template. Each chapter will thus answer the same questions in order to make the book the most useful. For this reason a detailed questionnaire has been prepared and the contributors are kindly asked to answer the questionnaire's questions in their articles. Some of the questions that will be answered by each chapter are:
- Does the law require polling places to be wheelchair accessible?
- Does the law allow blind voters to have someone with them to assist them in casting the ballot?
- Are special voting machines for the blind used? What kinds of machines are used?
- Were there any important court decisions issued on the disabled persons' voting?
- Is there a discussion about electronic voting going on?
- Describe the ballot used in elections (paper ballot, electronic, etc.)
- Can disabled voters vote by post? Can other voters use postal voting?

Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested in preparing the chapter on your country. Please let me know whether you will be the sole author or will there be two or more co-authors of the chapter. Then I will send you the questionnaire of the questions that should be answered in the chapter as well as the style sheet.

More information
E-mail: jure.toplak@uni.mb.si (Jurij Toplak)


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http://www.ecmi-eu.org/publications/


The European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) - Working Papers

This project proposes to evaluate the cultural policies introduced in National Action Plans (NAPs) on Social Inclusion under the European Union's Open Method of Co-ordination (OMC) by six member states (Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Sweden) in terms of their impact on promoting social inclusion of ethnic minorities, including Roma/Sinti groups. The specific added value of this evaluation will be the piloting of a set of Common Inter-Cultural Indicators (CICIs) feasible for cost-effectiveness analyses and benchmarking within the EU.


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http://www.balkan-rights.net/bhrn/content/view/178/45/


Balkan Human Rights Network Yearbook of Human Rights, sixth issue

Every year BHRN strives to choose one topic which is in the focus of the public discourse in the whole region. This year's issue is ‘EU Accession and Human Rights -Consequences, Tendencies and the Role of Civil Society’.

BHRN Yearbook of Human Rights is a collection of essays written by the renowned regional experts who contribute with their analysis and opinions about the given topic. Topic ‘EU Accession and Human Rights - Consequences, Tendencies and the Role of Civil Society’ is becoming more and more important as the date of the accession of our neighbours Romania and Bulgaria is approaching. All the countries of the Western Balkans aspire to become member of the EU but too often human rights perspective of that process is being overlooked. As representatives of the civil society we want to ask ourselves and our colleges what role should we play in the process of joining the EU? This Yearbook is an effort to assess what we have all done until now and what lies ahead of us.

E-mail: secretariat@balkan-rights.net


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http://www.minorityrights.org/admin/Download/pdf/MRG_EUguide.pdf


Minority Rights Group International - Minority Rights Advocacy in the European Union: A Guide for NGOs in South-East Europe.

This unique guide on Minority Rights Advocacy in the European Union aims to empower minority and human rights activists from SEE to advocate successfully for the inclusion of minority issues in their countriess EU accession process and improved protection of minority rights. It addresses issues which are crucial for a thorough understanding of minority rights advocacy opportunities within the EU, including those issues which will be applicable once SEE states become EU members.

Authors: Snjezana Bokulic, Florian Bieber, Anna-Maria Biro and Emelyne Cheney.
E-mail: MRG.Europe@mrgmail.org


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http://www.osmhi.org/index.php?page=202&news=89


Rights of People with Intellectual Disabilities: Access to Education and Employment

Produced by OSI's EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program (EUMAP) and Mental Health Initiative, 'Rights of People with Intellectual Disabilities: Access to Education and Employment' is a series of 12 country reports on the rights of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe. The reports monitor the degree to which existing international standards and national legislation are heeded and applied. Each report includes specific policy recommendations targeting both domestic and international decision-makers.

English-language reports on Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and the U.K., as well as the Easy to Read report from the UK and a collection of summary reports on all countries monitored, are available to download.


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http://www.osmhi.org/index.php?page=202&news=205


The Situation of People with Mental Health Problems and People with Intellectual Disabilities in Kosova/Kosovo

A needs assessment report from the Kosova/Kosovo Association of Psychology Students and the Open Society Mental Health Initiative.

This needs assessment report, written by the Kosova/Kosovo Association of Psychology Students and financed by the Open Society Mental Health Initiative, aims to describe the current situation of people with mental disabilities in Kosova/Kosovo, to outline the legal framework and the services that are available, and to survey future plans and projects which aim at improving services.


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http://www.osmhi.org/index.php?page=202&news=245


Access to Education and Employment for People with Intellectual Disabilities: An Overview of the Situation in Central and Eastern Europe

The Mental Health Initiative's overview paper based on information from monitoring reports on access to education and employment for people with intellectual disabilities


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Harvard Negotiation Project - Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate, by Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro


World renowned negotiators Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro wrote Beyond Reason to address the complicated types of issues that those in the human rights, development, and conflict resolution worlds deal with all the time. In Beyond Reason, you will discover how to use emotions to turn a disagreement – big or small, professional or personal – into an opportunity for mutual gain. Beyond Reason offers straightforward, powerful advice for dealing with emotions in even the toughest negotiations, whether with a difficult colleague or with your angry spouse. You will discover five 'core concerns' that lie at the heart of most emotional challenges. And more important, you will learn how to address these concerns to improve your relationships and get the results you want.

Beyond Reason builds on previous work of the Harvard Negotiation Project, the group that brought you the groundbreaking Getting to Yes. Since its inception in 1978, the Harvard Negotiation Project has developed theory and practical ideas that have had a constructive impact on conflict resolution around the world.

Website: www.beyond-reason.net


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Euroregional Center for Democracy

Semenic Nr. 10
300035, Timisoara
Romania

Tel: + 4 0256 221 471
Fax: + 4 0256 436 633

http://www.regionalnet.org

Editor:
Camelia Cocioba

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