Online VERA Conference:
Conflicting Il/liberalisms. Dividing states and societies in Russia and beyond
Call for Papers
Date and Venue: 19-20 May 2021, online via Zoom
Organizers: VERA Centre for Russian and Border Studies, University of Eastern Finland & Finnish Association for Russian and East European Studies FAREES (VIETS)
During recent years, we have witnessed a rise of nationalist, right-wing, populist, and religious movements that have gained popularity by contesting liberal notions of democracy, freedom of the individual and, in particular, multiculturalism, transnational migration and supranational institutions such as the EU. News about restricted rule of law and media freedoms, attempts to silence independent and openly critical NGO’s, and national leaders challenging ‘Brussels’ values’ embodied in the EU’s hegemonic power and ‘LGBT ideology’, are not uncommon. Thus, citizens and activist groups in the countries moving towards the so-called ‘illiberal democracy’, such as Hungary, Poland and Russia, create new networks and platforms to defend their rights for social and political participation, to support independent media and academic freedoms, women’s rights, and rights for minorities and migrants. The countries are internally divided. So are the countries in ‘the West’ where liberal values are increasingly challenged by anti-elitist and anti-immigration rhetoric. Within this broader context, we invite papers that tackle any aspect of these contemporary divisions in politics, economy, society, media, culture, religion, law, arts, gender and sexuality, etc., in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
The VERA Centre for Russian and Border Studies of the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Association for Russian and East European Studies FAREES (VIETS) are opening a call for a small conference to explore different aspects of il/liberalism in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Eurasia. The conference brings together scholars from different disciplines to discuss the contemporary social, political and other divisions in the region. In the beginning of the conference, the Finnish Association for Russian and East European Studies will announce the winners of its 2021 MA Thesis Competition.
You are welcome to participate in the conference by submitting your information, short bio and a paper abstract of maximum 300 words by email to joni.virkkunen@uef.fi and minna.piipponen@uef.fi by 7 May 2021.
More updates about the programme will follow.
Venäjän ja Itä-Euroopan tutkimuksen seura VIETS 