Central Europe Explained is back for a fourth season!As the world evolves, so do the narratives within the Danube Region and Central Europe. Our next season aims to foster the engagement between our listeners and all the pivotal issues taking place in our target region and the world. We want to show our audience that everything that happens around us in the spheres of finance, politics and science shapes our personal journeys too.  In this season, our podcast takes a bold step towards the heart of civil society, inviting guests to share their intimate narratives and personal journeys. Combining storytelling and the expertise of our team in ten episodes, our objective is to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that define our region.  With the support and expertise of the IDM team, we will offer a unique lens through which we will examine these personal narratives. Our experts enrich each story with their insights, contextualizing individual experiences within the broader landscape of the Danube Region and Central Europe. Are you interested in the future of the Danube Region? Then stay tuned to Central Europe Explained and remember to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite streaming platform!Central Europe Explained is a podcast series produced by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) and powered by Erste Group.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 50: 70 years IDM - Locating the future 🎙️ Celebrate 70 years of history and hard work with us on The Central Europe Explained Podcast! 🌐 In this special episode, host Gloria Becerril takes you through the Platinum Jubilee of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM). Hear insights from distinguished speakers, including Austria's Federal President and Minister of Education, as they reflect on IDM's crucial role in shaping a resilient Europe.🔗 Dive into the event with exclusive audio clips on our YouTube channel and gain perspectives on IDM's past, present, and future. Director Sebastian Schäffer shares the challenges and achievements that define IDM's journey, offering a glimpse into the collaborative spirit of the dedicated team. Join us in celebrating this milestone and stay connected for more insights on our website and social media.🙌 A heartfelt thank you to our collaborators over the years! Together, let's continue "Locating the Future" for another 70 years. Thank you for being part of the IDM community. 🌟Edition: Gloria Becerril Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP 49 Gender EquiCEEty: Representation, inclusion and intersectionality in Central and Eastern Europe  Taking a brief look at statistics, it may seem that in many regards women in Central and Eastern Europe enjoy more (economic) equality and independence, especially if we consider the gender-pay gap, the percentage of female professionals in STEM fields, and female managers. But if we dig deeper will this image still hold?   In the new episode “Gender EquiCEEty: Representation, inclusion and intersectionality in CEE” of our podcast “Central Europe Explained”, Malwina Talik together with her guests Vladislava Gubalova (GLOBSEC) and Joanna Talewicz (Fundacja w Strong Dialogu) take a closer look at two specific issues: 1) the position of female professionals working in media and start-ups, and 2) the standing of women from the Romani community. Tune in!   Recommendations:   Vladislava Gubalova  A Bulgarian movie ‘Petya of my Petya’ (2022)   Joanna Talewicz Art by Małgorzata Mirga-Tas and Krzysztof Gil A Swedish movie Taikon A Polish Netflix series “Infamy”   Reports mentioned in the episode: Women’s Voices in the Media: A Look at Central Europe  Women in the Innovation Ecosystem Zooming in on Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia  CEEHer Initiative  Fundacja w Stronę Dialogu  Host: Malwina TalikEdition: Gloria Becerril  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belonging and becoming: strengthening the EU projectIn this episode Daniel Martínek engages in an exploration of European identity and the challenges it faces. Our guest, Niccolò Milanese, founding director of European Alternatives, sheds light on the need to strengthen the European Union in the thick of growing Euroscepticism. We touch upon the interplay of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in shaping the European identity, while considering the diverse interpretations of Europeanness across the region. Join us as we navigate these fundamental questions surrounding what it means to be European in today's evolving landscape. Our click here to know more about host's piece of art recommendation.Host: Daniel MartínekProduction and Editing: Gloria Becerril  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Europe still a fortress? Refugees in Central and Eastern EuropeIn CEE (and beyond) migration has become an issue that polarizes and evokes a wide range of emotions. In their conversation, Melanie Jaindl and Malwina Talik discuss three important dates in the recent history of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): 2015 (the 'long summer of migration'), 2021 (the humanitarian crisis on the Poland-Belarus border), and 2022 (the Russian invasion of Ukraine). They explore how these events have been perceived in CEE, offer explanations for different attitudes, and examine their collective impact on the region. Our hosts' pieces of art recommendations:The Passage by Selma BanichBook Jezus umarł w PolsceHost: Malwina Talik and Melanie Jaindl, associates at IDM Production and Editing: Gloria Becerril  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timișoara Unveiled: A Journey through Multiculturality, Art, and Communism  In 2023, the Romanian city of Timișoara holds the title of European Capital of Culture. Tourists are flocking to the city as it is thriving with art exhibitions and cultural events – one can literally find art around every corner in Timșioara these days. Amidst the art, visitors can also witness the historical heritage of Timișoara, a city with a rich and eventful past under the Ottomans, Austrians and Hungarians, and the first city to rise against the communist regime. This legacy has shaped Timișoara into a contemporary, multilingual and multicultural place that some consider to be quintessentially European. In this episode, Sophia Beiter shares her insights into this year’s European Capital of Culture. She talked to a variety of different guests – from the city’s mayor to young curators and independent artists. The episode delves into how multiculturality inspires the art scene in Timișoara, how inhabitants experienced the revolution in 1989, how communism still affects young artists in their work and how the title of European Capital of Culture can have a lasting positive impact.  Take a look at Maria Nalbantova’s artwork here.  Guests: Dominik Fritz, Ovidiu Mihaita, Maria Nalbantova, Cristina Stoenescu, Georgia Tidorescu, Oltea Zambori Host: Sophia Beiter, research associate at IDM Production and Editing: Gloria Becerril  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For most people holidays means a week at the beach, or a visit to picturesque cities. But that’s not the first things coming up in everyone’s mind. Some people seek the thrill, the misery: they visit places of previous genocide, natural and man-made catastrophes and former war zones. Places, of which Central-, East- and Southeast Europe have plenty – given the region’s specific historical, cultural and political context. Dark tourism describes these practices of travelling to places of human suffering. In this episode, Melanie Jaindl talks with Peter Hohenhaus to shed light on the motivations for visiting these extraordinary sites and how to deal with misery in a respectful manner. Hohenhaus runs a blog and website, where he shares his experiences of travelling the unconventional way, which he also put down in his book Atlas of Dark Destinations.Take a look at our guest's recommendation Shoes on the Danube Bank (Budapest): here.Host: Melanie Jaindl, Scientific Associate at IDM.In cooperation with: Darija BenicEditorial Support: Jade PenancierProduction and Editing: Gloria Becerril, Trainee at IDM and student at University of Padua.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we will dive into the journey of the editor and author Rod Dreher, who recently announced that he is moving to Hungary to work for the think tank Danube Institute. Dreher aims to make Hungary the centre of the American conservative dialogue, as he considers Budapest a hub of a network against globalism, which has been under construction for a few years. We will explore the reasons behind the increasing interest of American conservatives in Hungary, the ongoing diffusion of frames, common goals, and enemies among American and Hungarian conservatives, and the implications of this transnationalisation of political polarisation. To give us insights into these issues, we will be joined by Flora Garamvolgyi, a Los Angeles-based journalist who has been investigating this issue. So stay tuned for an insightful discussion on the origins and intentions of this network and what it means for the upcoming elections. Our guest recommendations:Jordan Klepper Fingers the Globe: Hungary for Democracy - Full Special | The Daily ShowRon DeSantis: Last Week Tonight with John OliverHost:Daniela Apaydin, Research Associate at IDM.Production and editing:Gloria Becerril, Trainee at IDM and student at University of Padua.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While feminist foreign policy has been successful in promoting gender equality in some countries, it has also been criticised for imposing Western values onto other cultures and failing to address specific needs. This podcast episode explores the strengths and weaknesses of feminist foreign policy, its current state and the challenges it is facing in order to ensure a gender perspective is present in foreign policy decisions, as well as involving women in target countries in decision-making processes. In this episode, our host Gloria Becerril (IDM trainee) holds an insightful conversation with Dr Claudia Zilla, senior fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), who provides a nuanced look at the complexities of feminist foreign policy and ways to improve it in the future.Our guest recommendation:Todo cambia (Everything changes), Interpreted by Mercedes Sosa and written by Julio Numhauser.Production and editing: Gloria Becerril, IDM trainee and student at University of Padua. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Danube Region, Central and Eastern Europe, in other words everything between Germany and Austria, Moldova and Ukraine, down to the Balkans, is a very diverse region when it comes to national minorities. There are very significant populations of people living in countries neighbouring their so-called “kin-states”, such as the Hungarian minorities in Slovakia, Transcarpathia in Ukraine, and Transylvania in Romania.  What does “national minority” refer to? Which challenges are they facing in Central and Eastern Europe? What challenges to ensure the protection for natianal minorities in the Danube Region?  Jack Gill (IDM) discusses these issues with Sergiu Constantin Senior Researcher at Institute for Minority Rights - Eurac research. Our guest recommendation:    The Bridge on the Drina is a historical novel by the Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić. The Ukrainian folk band DakhaBrakha.  Host: Jack Gill, Research assistant at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM and Gloria Becerril, IDM trainee and student at University Padua.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 years after joining the European Union in 2013, on 1 January 2023, Croatia entered the Eurozone. As it is replaced by the Euro, the Croatian old currency, the Kuna (HRK), will slowly become an object, yet a device full of history.   Since 5 September 2021, prices in both currencies have been displayed and dual circulation of EUR and HRK banknotes was allowed until two weeks before the introduction day of the Euro. So now, only the euro remain accepted for use.    Which history lies behind the Kuna? What will be the impact of the introduction of the Euro on the business relations of the country? Which challenges need Croatia to focus on after joining the Eurozone?  Sebastian Schäffer (IDM) tackled these questions with Mario Holzner - Executive Director of the wiiw. Our guest recommendation:    Check out the various memes existing on social media making fun of the potential designs of the Croatian euro coin. Host: Sebastian Schäffer, Managing Director at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM and Gloria Becerril, IDM trainee and student at University Padua.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Central Europe Explained is back for a third season!CEE 3.0 follows specific events and topics happening over the years in the Danube Region.If you are not familiar with CEE yet, this podcast focuses on several topics of general interest: geopolitics, human rights, economy, culture, democracy, etc. With experts from and about the region, we explore those various fields.   We aim to enhance cross-border cooperation, dialogue and knowledge exchange in the region and beyond. Our work is based on the principles of liberal democracy and shared values, goals and visions with our neighbours. Are you interested in future of the Danube Region? Then stay tuned to Central Europe Explained and remember to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite streaming platform!Central Europe Explained is a podcast series produced by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) and powered by Erste Group.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning and mobility are different concepts, yet interconnected.   One can think about them as a human right, privilege, advantage or opportunity.   Access to education and freedom of movement is often taken for granted. However, we are not all equal towards those: living in a warzone is an example of this contrast.   For this final episode of the 17th DRC Summer School, Christopher Radovic interviews Iryna Feketa, Anastasiia Lendel and Yuliia Stoika, all Ukrainian university students.   Together they discuss their studying situation in western Ukraine. They give us their personal insights as well as wishes for the future.  References mentioned:   CEE#35: Education Cannot Wait - with Lana Chubakha and Emma Hontebeyrie Host: Sebastian Schäffer, IDM Managing Director  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is University in Exile the future of Central Europe?     In 2018, with the Hungarian government banning CEU from welcoming new students, the university had the relocate its activities from Budapest to Vienna.   This direct attack on university autonomy is an example of the current fight for academic intuitions for their freedom.   What is the current state of university autonomy in the Danube Region?  Following diverse narratives from actors of the academia, Daniel Martinek and Emma Hontebeyrie discuss these challenges.   This podcast brings together diverse voices and personal opinions, between anonymous interviews and discourses from Edza Aria Wkurendra, Grant Dunnery, Fiona Faas, Ljiljan Veselinović, as well as the president and rector of CEU Shalini Randeria.  Host: Daniel Martinek, Research Associate at IDM; Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM   Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The structure of our social system is based on an important and tight triumvirate: science and academia, policy-makers, and civil society. However, in recent years we have witnessed a weakening of the relationship between these elements.  What is the reason for this fading, and what are the consequences of it? How can we remind each other that we are all playing for the same team and not against each other?  There is a great lack of communication and a great loss of trust on the part of civil society towards the world of academia, and politicians. In this episode, Malwina Talik (IDM) and Emma Hontebeyrie will share our perspectives and comment on excerpts from a discussion between  participants of the 17th DRC Summer School about the Future of Academia held in Vienna in the summer of 2022. IDM managing director Sebastian Schäffer will also share his views on the role of citizens and the relationship between academia and policy makers, to repair this current decaying bond with the people.  Host: Malwina Talik, Research Associate at IDM & Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As students, engagement is a key driver of one’s personal development.But what does engagement mean? Which place plays youth in academia? Are they passive listeners or actors for change?In July 2022, the DRC Summer School on the Future of Academia in the Danube Region took place in Vienna and welcomed around twenty participants from all over Europe. We took the chance to talk with actors from academia about their views on student engagement.  This podcast brings together diverse natives and personal opinions, between anonymous interviews and discourses from Darija Benic, Romina Kali, Tea Memushi, Kërkesë Zogjani, as well as the president and rector of CEU Shalini Randeria.Guest: Darija Benic, a student at the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy; Romina Kali Lawyer and Researcher in the field of transitional justice in Shkodër, Albania; Tea Memushi assistant lecturer and student counselling coordinator at the University College Pavaresia, Albania; Kërkesë Zogjani student in psychology at the University of Pristina; Kosovo.Host: Gloria Becerill, IDM trainee and student of Local Development Master's degree at the University of Padua; Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Danube Tech Valley Initiative, Central Europe’s next innovative driver Countries of the Danube Region find common ground with their shared cultures and histories but also their variety of traditional industries. During the past decades, innovative technologies have flooded the region, although western countries remain the prominent leader in innovation. Yet, a new driver is awaiting, and it seems that Central Europe and the Danube Region only need the right resources.     The Danube Tech Valley Initiativeaims to actively use the region's innovative wealth to create a vibrant hub of industries and technology. Supported by the global think-tank GLOBSEC, the DTVI set the goal of building an innovative ecosystem in the Central European Region.     Which concrete opportunity does the Danube Tech Valley represent for CEE? Which obstacle lies ahead, especially regarding potential regional and EU-level dichotomies?  Sebastian Schäffer (IDM) tackled these questions with Wilhelm Molterer, Chairman of GLOBSEC Board of Directors, former Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister of Austria. Our guest recommendation:   Janoska Ensemble, THE BIG B‘s – Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Beatles, Bizet & Bartók Guest: Wilhelm Molterer, Chairman of GLOBSEC Board of Directors, former Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister of Austria. Host: Sebastian Schäffer, Managing Director at IDM Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Novi Sad as the European Capital of Culture 2022 On the 1st of January 2022, the Serbian city Novi Sad officially became the European Capital of Culture. With one year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Novi Sad is among the first cities outside the European Union and the first from the Western Balkans to be awarded this title.    Created in 1985, European Capitals of Culture highlight the continent's richness and diversity of cities. Moreover, it brings together people from all over Europe, promotes European understanding and collaboration.     Is European Capital of Culture only a prestigious title, or does it have concrete actions and consequences on the ground and amongst ordinary people? Daniel Martinek (IDM) discusses this topic with Sara Vuletić, Programme Director at the Foundation “Novi Sad - European Capital of Culture”. Our guest recommendation:   The Cultural Station Svilara, Novi Sad Guest: Sara Vuletić, Programme Director at the Foundation “Novi Sad - European Capital of Culture” Host: Daniel Martínek, Research Associate at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fight for Pride and the nation in UkraineThe war in Ukraine is often framed as a struggle over Ukrainians belonging to either the East or the West. Given this, it becomes clear why especially LGBTQIA+ activists stress Ukraine’s commitment to so-called Western values. They include human rights and, in particular, the acceptance of the queer community. On the other side, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin created “traditional values” as the dominant narrative in his third presidential term. Experts state that the Kremlin constructed homophobia as geopolitics, and the war on Ukraine is the continuation of this politics by other means. Indeed, Putin even targeted the queer community in his February 24 speech, which attempts to justify the attacks on Ukraine. What are the realities for trans people in the war? Do they encounter discrimination during their flight or fight? And how has queer activist work changed within Ukraine?  Melanie Jaindl (IDM) asked these questions to Edward Reese, a queer activist and project assistant at Kyiv Pride. Edward shares their own experiences of leaving Ukraine, their opinions about gendered war narratives and explains the importance of searching for LGBTQIA+ communities in a new environment. Our guest recommendation:   The 2022 Eurovision’s winner Kalush Orchestra’s video clip Stefania, 2022 Sources about Ukraine in English:  The telegram channel Ukraine Now [English] The daily newspaper The Kyiv Independent The daily newspaper Kyiv Post The media platform Hromadske International  The twitter channel @xenasolo The Instagram account Svidomi, @svidomi_eng Looking for the queer community in Vienna? Get in touch with Queer Base. To learn more about LGBTQIA+ topics, check out our other podcasts: Pride despite Prejudice - Sarajevo's first rainbow march in 2019, with Emina Bošnjak and Emma Hontebeyrie. Nationalism in the scope of patriarchy, with Dr Elissa Helms and Chiara Maria Murgia. Guest: Edward Reese, queer activist and project assistant for Kyiv Pride. Host: Melanie Jaindl, Assistant Editor at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While nationalism has mainly been recognized – and researched – as one of the most influential ideologies of modern times, its connection with morality and sexual norms started to receive attention relatively recently. In Europe, this phenomenon has taken root at different paces and scales, marking the continent's political cultures and multiple identities.   How is a national discourse constructed? How does it intersect with human life's social, private and political dimensions?  Focusing on the Western Balkans experience, Chiara Maria Murgia (IDM) discusses these with Elissa Helms, Associate Professor at the Central European University. Our guest recommendation:   Maja Bajević's performance, Dressed Up, 1999  Jasmila Žbanić's movies: Grbavica, 2006; For Those Who Can Tell No Tales, 2013; Quo Vadis, Aida? 2020  References mentioned in the program:   Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities, 1983  Dubravka Zarkov, The Body of War: Media, Ethnicity, and Gender in the Break-up of Yugoslavia, 2007  Elissa Helms, Innocence and Victimhood: Gender, Nation, and Women's Activism in Postwar Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2013  Guest: Dr Elissa Helms, Associate Professor at the Central European University.   Host: Chiara Maria Murgia, Project Assistant at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.