Organized by the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) and the Institute for Social and European Studies (ISES), in cooperation with the University of Pannonia, and the UNESCO Chair of Kőszeg.

As the world experiences a pandemic, unprecedentedly shared online, with its human and financial costs, other hybrid threats appear as urgent or emergent. How do we deal with conspiracies promoted online, and institutional attacks on democracy? How does relying on algorithms and distrust of institutions endanger what it means to be human? The inter-disciplinary approaches reflected in the topics of the 26^th International Summer University are needed to analyze these complex realities in order to optimize innovative strategies for crisis mitigation.

Kőszeg is called “The Jewel of Pannonia”. This beautiful medieval town borders 5 countries (Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary). This provides a rich cultural and regional added value, and the opportunity for strong cross-border cooperation. In a region where the iron curtain was built, developing a regional knowledge center is exceptional and contributes to supporting opportunities furthering cooperation in an age of increasing uncertainties.

Topics:

Central Europe

• The Complexities of Central European Identity (Shared Experiences, Cross-border Cooperation Networks)
• Central European Memorial Sites and Memory Politics
• Covid-19, Vaccine Politics and Surveillance
• Human Security in Light of Covid: Post-Covid Security Challenges and a New East-West Divide?
• Democratic Challenges: Populism, Illiberalism and Euroskepticism
• Understanding Corruption, State Capture, Radicalization, Pacification, Resilience, and Emigration in Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia
• Communication Strategies and Soft Power
• Institutional Resilience During Crises: International and National Perspectives
• The Future University – The Future of Education

Eligibility

Advanced MA and PhD students and young researchers, as well as social entrepreneurs, who have a keen academic or professional interest in the topics.