It is hard to grasp the shadows the Yugoslav war cast on generations of people, affecting not only those who directly faced its adversities but also those who inherited its residual echoes. In such circumstances, political leaders continue to exploit the fears by maintaining divisions along ethnic lines, portraying themselves as protectors in the past and guardians in the present. However, there is a persistent hope mostly among the younger generations that the possibility of joining the European Union might spark positive transformations. The aspiration to become a part of the Union serves as a significant motivator for the populace. Yet, the European Union, grappling with its own internal complexities and border security issues, seems to implement ineffective policies for the wider Southeast European region, while the tensions in the region are on the rise.
Simultaneously, regional political entrepreneurs are, in a somewhat ironic twist, bargaining with the regional stability —which they had previously destabilized—as a bargaining chip in exchange for various European Union support. This support ranges from economic assistance to political endorsements, instrumental in maintaining their political dominance. Concurrently, in interactions with their constituencies, these leaders manipulate the appealing prospect of European integration. They know that the promise of EU membership resonates deeply with the citizenry's aspirations, thus ensuring electoral support. The manipulation occurs within a broader understanding of previous war traumas, and the European Union's cautious stance on expansion ensures only gradual implementation of democratic reforms in the region. Therefore, the regional leaders deflect any responsibility for delays in accession onto the EU, thereby circumventing accountability for their governance shortcomings in the view of their electorate.
My PhD journey and this complex research has been supported by invaluable financial and academic assistance from the University of Luxembourg and Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), for which I am incredibly grateful. On this occasion, however, I want to express a heartfelt thank you to the Pierre Werner Foundation Fondation de Luxembourg for recognizing the significance of my work and providing their support. I am committed to maintaining a high standard of excellence and meeting all expectations as I continue this journey. 😊
🎉We are delighted to introduce the 4 outstanding Doctoral Researchers who have been selected for the 2024 Pierre Werner Scholarship.
Congratulations to Francesca Finelli, Isabella Lorenzoni, David Marguerit and
Anđela Mićanović! 👏
This scholarship is made available by the Fondation Pierre Werner, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, supporting research excellence and academic achievement.
Read the full article 👇
https://lnkd.in/e-H7QUS3
PhD student CEISAM
8moMerci pour le soutien 🙏😊