Forum for Middle East and South Eastern Europe (FOMOSO)
Asociación, Examinar oportunidades similares
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Asociación, Examinar oportunidades similares
Deadline: 30 November 2017
Open to: international
Award: certificate and a special prize
The origin of the idea of a separation between the state and the church (religion) can be traced back as early as the Reformation era. However, it was mainly the period of Enlightenment and the process of nation-building in the course of the nineteenth century, that made secularism one of the predominant components of the concept of a modern state.
In some states of East-Central and Southeast Europe, religion has played an important role in the construction of national identity and the struggle for independence. In Greece, the orthodox church preserved the self-contained consciousness of the Greek until the independence from the Ottoman Empire and beyond. On the contrary, in a few other states of the East-Central and Southeast European region, religion itself played a minor role in the construction of national identity. In the Czech society for instance, resistance against the catholic church led to a distinctive demarcation of the dominance of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
During the communist era, secularism was on the rise. In most East-Central and Southeast European states, religion was banned – distinctively accelerated by the communist regimes. Only after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the relation between the state and religion started the process of recuperation.
Lately, religious influence has increased again. The discourse on Islam in East-Central and Southeast Europe, is only one of the approaches that reflect the different aspects of the religious issues in the region.
What is the role of religion in East-Central and Southeast Europe? How much influence is exercised by religious institutions? Is religion a promoter or an antagonist of sociopolitical change and development? What kind of constructive approaches could relieve tension in the relations between different religious groups? In order to answer all these questions, we call for your papers!
Your paper should be in the scope of 2500 to 3000 words and should include a political analysis, containing correct and well-researched information, as well as references. The topic may refer to a state from East-Central or Southeast Europe, a person, process, comparison or any other relevant issue. Be investigative, and let your political creativity evolve!
The best English-speaking contribution will additionally be recognized with a certificate and a special prize.
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