Projects / Programmes
Ethnic and minority studies and the Slovene studies (Slovene national question)
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2019
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.06.00 |
Humanities |
Culturology |
|
| 5.11.00 |
Social sciences |
Ethnic studies |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H000 |
Humanities |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.04 |
Humanities |
Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music) |
national and ethnic minorities, nationalism, ethnicity, identities, minority protection, integration, discrimination, borders, incusion policies, migrations, demography, multilingualism, interculturalism, transculturalism, diversity management, mass traumas, memory, Alps-Adriatic
Researchers (17)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0507 |
Institute for Ethnic Studies |
Ljubljana |
5051517000 |
4,514 |
Abstract
The content of the RP can be summarised under the following thematic headings: (i) the Slovene national question, (ii) minority studies, (iii) ethnicity, nationalism and border studies, and (iv) diversity management. Taking into account new developments and trends, these will be supplemented by topical themes and new theoretical and methodological findings that establish multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches appropriate to the complexity of the studied phenomena.
The Slovene national question and the concept of a “national state” will be tackled within the context of historical development, European integration and globalisation processes and the new global division of labour and capital, which is reshaping the world’s political geography. The end of the "Cold War" and the emergence of the modern Europe have brought new demarcations and divisions, so we will study ethnic relations, borders, cross-border cooperation, and Slovene communities in neighbouring countries and around the world, focusing particularly on the problems facing young people. The above mentioned changes are apparent in increased migrations, which we shall study from different (inter)disciplinary theoretical viewpoints, including the analysis of the effects on the demographic structure of the population of Slovenia and a wider area. Migration dynamics is changing the EU demography and calls for an analysis of the position, status and protection, as well as the concepts and demarcation of traditional and other ethnic minorities, which will be dealt with in regard to the legal protection of minorities and other relevant theoretical contexts.
Bearing in mind these processes and approaches, the RP will study: the processes and dynamics of ethnic relations; the growing diversity within societies; identity processes and their transformation; borders; internal and international migrations; ethnic and minority policies; human rights and minority rights; citizenship; the legal protection of traditional and other ethnic minorities; and economic and social position of minority and marginalised communities and their integration in society.
These themes are connected to the examination of the position, functions and use of language in all its dimensions, e.g. multilingualism as a means of communication in the globalised economy. We will continue our research into the various forms of minority participation and the “collective memory” of the traumatic events (totalitarianisms, repression in the 20th century, the breakup of countries, etc.), which have helped shape the history of cultures and identities.
The orientation towards the present and the future is expressed by researching the management of ethnically and culturally diverse societies, concepts of regionalism, federalism and integration, and in striving for the establishment of a culture of dialogue and peace – including with the Alps-Adriatic Peace Region.
Significance for science
Minority and ethnic studies represents a important research field which produces a strong public response and has an influence on scholarly reflection. As well as occasionally reaching into earlier historical periods and researching historical methods of group (self-) delimitation and political organisation, the RP is directed also in contemporary events, paying particular attention to the influence of the most recent economic and social crisis on ethnic relations, integration of ethnic and other minorities, and on stability and development of pluralistic, complex and asymmetric societies. Because of its theoretical and epistemiological stability and, above all, its production of primary knowledge which has great interpretative and practical potential, significance of ethnic and minority studies is widely acknowledged, particularly its contribution to the study and understanding of contemporary themes and problems, such as: (inter)ethnic relations and their politicial implications; political and legal perception and regulation of diversity; phenomena of direct and indirect discrimination; integration and integration policy; transnationality and transculturality, identities that cross state and national borders, migrations, etc.
This RP and the Institute’s research belong in this context, as shown by international links, invitations for cooperation from abroad and from international organisations (e.g. UN, UNESCO, OSCE, Council of Europe) and inclusion in European and international research and educational projects and programmes.
The RP contributes to the creation of databases containing the relevant primary data and towards theoretical production on the basis of the collected data and the study of the relevant theoretical literature, which enables the development and the testing of research hypotheses, as well as the development of methodology, theory and theoretical models. An important factor in this regard is the development of new approaches and methodologies, which follow the current research trends in ethnic studies, humanities and in the social sciences, which are seen as multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transcdisciplinary approaches suited to dealing with the complexity of the studied phenomena. Equally important is the contribution the research programme makes to the development of concepts, definitions and models, and theoretical findings and frameworks. Thus basic research production is a necessary foundation for applied and goal-oriented research, for advisory and professional work and for the development of educational programmes. The research relevance of the programme is confirmed by an overview of the databases of recent academic and professional literature, a well as research projects and programmes in ethnic and minority studies in Europe and around the world, as well as by the bibliographies of the team members.
Significance for the country
One direct contribution of the RP to the socio-economic and cultural development of Slovenia is the development of human resources, which can be measured by the growth of the research and scientific potential of the team members, by their permanent education. A further contribution is the transfer of the team’s research results to undergraduate and postgraduate educational programmes, i.e. the first, second and third Bologna cycles at the universities of Ljubljana, Maribor and Primorska.
The research and scholarly work within the programme contribute to the development of minority and ethnic studies and the study of the national question, with new findings that can be applied either directly or indirectly. State and public institutions, as well as the private sphere, the EU and its institutions, international organisations and institutions, can use these findings as the academic basis for their work. Specific solutions and proposals can represent useful social innovations in areas such as the regulation and management of diversity – including the regulation and management of ethnic relations and the prevention, management and resolution of crises and conflicts, minority protection and minority policies, migration policies, integration policies, discrimination prevention and anti-discrimination politices, multiculturalism/interculturalism, the ensuring of effective communication, the establishment and development of functional links, the accessibility and quality of various services in Slovenia and Europe, balanced and sustainable development. Research and the realisation of the defined objectives also represent a contribution to the preservation and development of cultural and historical heritage.
RP has been included in the drafting of important political and legal documents in Slovenia; particularly worthy of mention here is participation in the preparation of the Memorandum for the Arbitration Tribunal in connection with the border between Slovenia and Croatia.
The transfer of research results to the international context is also important. Mention should be made of cooperation with international organisations relevant to the topic of minorities and ethnicities, as well as the scholarly and research sphere (e.g. UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, Stability Pact for SE Europe at the Regional Cooperation Council, European Commission), within which our members participate as experts. Particular emphasis should also be given to the Institute’s contribution to the development of international legal standards of minority protection (e.g. participation in the drafting of the Bolzano Recommendations by the High Commissioner on National Minorities at the OSCE) and human rights, and in the development of national minority policies and protection (e.g. in Albania, Croatia, Serbia), all of which contributes to the international recognition of Slovene scholarship and research.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
