Eureast Platform

• 16 April

Debate on Energy Transition, Sustainability, and Inclusive Development in Central Asia 2024

This conference examined the potential role and opportunities for Central Asia in Europe's debate on global climate protection and energy transition. Outstanding academics and practitioners discussed successes and pitfalls for energy transition in Central Asia and ways to engage with stakeholders and the public to support inclusive development. 

Organized by Sustainability Partnerships across Central Asia and Europe (SPCE Hub), with support from the European Neighbourhood Council, Intersectoral School of Governance Baden-Württemberg, and the Ghent University’s Eureast Platform.

• 23 May

Eureast Platform Networking Event

This first networking event brought together policymakers, businesses, and civil society organizations to introduce Ghent University’s Eureast Platform. The event showcased our expertise and services available to external stakeholders.

The panel discussion, "Geopolitical Shifts in Eastern Europe and Eurasia in the Wake of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for Cooperation with These Countries," featured Michael Siebert (European External Action Service, European Commission), Sevinj Samadzade (activist and researcher at Ghent University), Luc van Looveren (Voka - Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp-Waasland), Prof. Fabienne Bossuyt (Ghent University) and Prof. Koen Schoors (Ghent University) as moderator.

• 27 May

Ghent University Election Debate on Defence Policy

One week before the Belgian elections, Ghent University hosted a debate on defence policy and the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine with the representatives of the Flemish parties: Theo Francken (N-VA), Bruno Tobback (Vooruit), Gerolf Annemans (Vlaams Belang), Jasper Pillen (Open Vld), Koen Geens (CD&V), Bogdan Vanden Berghe (Groen), wMarc Botenga (PVDA). 

Rewatch the debate: [Trends Knack]

• 29 May

Roundtable: EU-Central Asia Strategy in a New Geopolitical Environment: Is There a Need For an Update?

Eureast Platform, Egmont Institute, German Council of Foreign Affairs (DGAP), and CAPS UNLOCK hosted a roundtable with the support of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. 

Participants assessed the implementation of the 2019 EU strategy and discussed potential updates, exploring the impact of recent geopolitical shifts, identifying new opportunities for deepening the partnership, and examining the limitations of the relationship. 

More information:https://www.ugent.be/eureastplatform/en/news-events/news/roundtabel-eu-ac.htm

• 3 September - 10 October

Online School on Human Rights: “Bridging Perspectives: Human Rights Dialogues Between Russia and Europe. The Future of Human Rights in Russia and the Challenges of European Fundamental Rights”

This Online School offered Russian and European students a chance to explore human rights issues from both perspectives. It covered Russia's deteriorating human rights situation and the EU's focus on climate change, migration, democracy, and human rights, along with a historical analysis of Europe's transition to democracy.

This school was organized by Ghent University’s Eureast Platform, he Irish Centre for Human Rights and School of Law at the University of Galway, and in collaboration with the Elena Bonner School of Human Rights.  This project was supported by the European Commission Foreign Policy Instrument initiative ‘EU Public Diplomacy - Russia’ and the ENLIGHT University Alliance

More information

• 9 October

'Armenia-EU Relations: Recent Rapprochement and Future Prospects' by the Ambassador of Armenia to Belgium Mr. Tigran Balayan

In this lecture,  the Armenian Ambassador Mr. Tigran Balayan elaborated on the evolving relationship between Armenia and the EU, with a focus on recent rapprochement efforts

• 18 October

Book discussion 'The Global Encyclopaedia of Informality, Volume 3' by Gian Marco Moisé.

Gian Marco Moisé  presented the freshly published volume of  'The Global Encyclopaedia of Informality'' which offers a ‘biographical’ journey through elusive, taken-for-granted or banal ways of getting things done from over 70 countries and world regions.  During this session, he will discuss the crucial importance and multiple meanings of informality in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

• 4 December

Eureast Platform Open Steering Group Meeting

This event, open to all Ghent University members, provided an opportunity to learn more about the Eureast Platform and its initiatives. Attendees received an overview of existing partnerships in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as available funding opportunities in these regions.

Ukraine-plus

• 19 February

JIRD Special Forum Discussion: "The Responsibility to Remain Silent? On the Politics of Knowledge Production, Expertise, and (Self-)Reflection in Russia's War Against Ukraine"

Discussion focused on the Special Forum published in the Journal of International Relations and Development (JIRD) in 2023. Guest editors Dr. Olga Burlyuk (University of Amsterdam) and Dr. Vjosa Musliu (VUB), with discussant Dr. Maryna Shevtsova (KU Leuven), reflected on knowledge production and authority in war debates.

• 15 March

Imperialism, Supremacy, and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine by dr. Kseniya Oksamytna (City University of London)

Dr. Kseniya Oksamytna (City University of London) presented her article “Imperialism, Supremacy, and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine” published in Contemporary Security Policy in 2023.

• 2 April

Interethnic Relations in Times of Wars: The Case of Georgian/Abkhaz and Armenian/Azerbaijani Relations

Workshop featuring:

- Sevinj Samadzade (Ghent University; United Nations University – CRIS) on 'Women's Agency and Everyday Peace Practices in Armenian-Azerbaijani Coexistence'

- Andrea Peinhopf (Northumbria University Newcastle) on 'Whose Ethnicity Matters? Intermarriage and the Gendered Dynamics of Ethnic (Un)Mixing in the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict' 

- Moderated by Gaëlle Le Pavic (Ghent University; United Nations University - CRIS)

• 15 May

Book Discussion: "Feminist Perspective on Russia’s War in Ukraine - Hear Our Voices"

The book explores gender norms and cultural expectations within the context of Ukraine from 2014–2023. It provides a nuanced understanding of the intersection of gender and warfare, aiming to inspire new approaches to studying these dynamics. 

Organized with the support of FLAX Foundation and Emma Goldman Award.

• 16 May

“The Role of Disinformation in 2024 Elections: A Tool for Manipulation or a Game-Changer?” by Dr. Olga Chyzhova (Ukrainian Prism)

Dr. Olga Chyzhova from the “Ukrainian Prism” think tank discussed the actors, targets, and methods of disinformation amid Russia's aggression against Ukraine. She also reflected on the potential impact of disinformation on the upcoming elections in Europe and globally. 

Organized with support of United Nations University (CRIS), and Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism".

• 21 November

Challenges at the borders of Ukraine and Eastern Europe: Security and human rights nexus

Russia views Central and Eastern Europe as a sphere of influence, using various tactics - such as border pressure, destabilization efforts, and outright aggression (e.g., Crimea's annexation and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine). These actions often violate human rights, compromise security, and create difficult situations for affected countries. The lecture by Stefania Kolarz (Polish Institute of International Affairs)  explored the methods of Russian interference, the responses to these actions, and their broader consequences.

CERISE

• 23 April

“Putin Against Nemtsov, Navalny, and Others: The Story of the Crackdown on Russian Dissent” by Mikhail Fishman

Lecture by Mikhail Fishman, an independent Russian journalist and TV presenter, on the suppression of Russian opposition in the recent history of modern Russia.

• 25 March

“Fragile autonomy in the changing Post-Soviet space” by Dr. Maksim Karliuk (International Development Law Organization)

 In his lecture, Dr. Maksim Karliuk presented the findings of his book ‘The Emerging Autonomous Legal Order of the Eurasian Economic Union’, published by Cambridge University Press as well as uncovered the role and relevance of the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. 

• 16 December

Film Screening 'Russia vs. Lawyers'

The film screening  about the daily struggles of lawyers in contemporary Russia, was followed by a Q&A with director Masha Novikova. This event was organized in collaboration with the Department of Eastern European Studies.

Viae Caspiae

• 7 May

“Histor(iograph)y: An Ideological-Identitarian Frontline? Gulag Commemoration and Nation-Building in Kazakhstan” by Aimar Ventsel (University of Tartu) and Bruno De Cordier (Ghent University)

Talk by Aimar Ventsel (University of Tartu) and Bruno De Cordier (Ghent University) examining how Kazakhstan accommodates the Gulag episode into its state-nation building and commemoration policies.

• 21 May

“A Fluid That Sticks: Notes on Oil Production in Kazakhstan “ by Maurizio Totaro (Ghent University, University of Milan-Bicocca)

Event featured the documentary ‘The Other Side of Oil’ by Kazakhstani filmmakers Lukpan Akhmedyarov and Raul Uporov, followed by a discussion with Maurizio Totaro (Ghent University, University of Milan-Bicocca) on the social, political, and environmental effects of hydrocarbon extraction in western Kazakhstan.

Organized with support of United Nations University (CRIS)

• 29 October

'Oil wealth, space, and inequality in Baku, Azerbaijan'

In this talk, Dr. Leyla Sayfutdinova (University of Glasgow) discussed how spatial inequalities in Baku have been structured by the distribution of oil wealth since the beginning of the of the first oil boom in 1872.

Previous activities

• 2023