Rethinking the Balkans: A Program on Social Movements and EU Integration
I'm currently participating in a specialized program at Central European University (CEU) called "Protests, Social Transformations, and the EU." It examines how social movements, technology, and geopolitical shifts are reshaping Europe, with a focus on the Balkans and Ukraine.
Why This Program Exists
The war in Ukraine has shifted European priorities. Ukraine's rapid EU integration process has prompted new questions: What does this mean for the Balkans? How do protests and social movements influence political change? And what role does technology play in democratic participation?
Key Themes We're Exploring
- Digital tools in protests: How social media, encrypted messaging, and digital organizing platforms shape modern activism
- EU accession dynamics: What lessons can the Balkans learn from Ukraine's accelerated integration process?
- Social transformation: How do protests lead to lasting political and social change?
- Regional cooperation: How can Southeast Europe work together on shared challenges?
The Balkans in Context
The Western Balkans have been in the EU accession process for years, but progress has been slow. Meanwhile, Ukraine moved through early stages faster, driven by geopolitical urgency. This has created both frustration and opportunity, frustration at the pace, but opportunity to rethink how integration should work.
Technology's Role
One of the most interesting parts of the program is examining how technology amplifies social movements. From the Arab Spring to Euromaidan, digital tools have changed how people organize, communicate, and hold governments accountable.
But technology is a double-edged sword, it can also be used for surveillance, misinformation, and repression. Understanding this tension is crucial for anyone working at the intersection of tech and policy.
What I'm Taking Away
This program is helping me think more critically about how European integration happens, how technology shapes political participation, and how the Balkans fit into Europe's future. It's also connecting me with people who are asking the same questions and working toward similar goals.
The Balkans have a complex history, but our future doesn't have to be dictated by the past. Programs like this help us imagine, and work toward, a different path forward.