UP Press Releases - University of Potsdam

Photo : Ernst Kaczynski

The biggest European conference on international relations will take place at the University of Potsdam.

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, rising autocratic tendencies in many countries, and the ubiquitous issue of climate change – the international political sphere is facing big challenges. In light of these various crises, what might new visions of social and political order for the future look like? More than 1,000 researchers from 59 countries will tackle this task at the biggest European conference on international relations, the “Pan-European Conference” (PEC), taking place on the University of Potsdam’s Griebnitzsee campus from September 5–9, 2023 with the theme “Envisioning a New Normal”.

Potsdam has a long history when it comes to constructing new political visions. The Potsdam Conference, where the leading Allied powers discussed postwar order in the summer of 1945, marks a historical transition point: from the crisis of the war years towards a new era characterized by radically different notions of international policy, economy, and society. The world is still facing big challenges today that can only be overcome collaboratively. Scientists and scholars at this year’s Pan-European Conference will discuss how to approach this matter in 315 panels and 43 roundtables.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Liese, Professor of International Relations, and Prof. Dr. Thomas Sommerer, Professor of Political Science with a focus on international organizations, from the University of Potsdam’s Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences have brought the 16th edition of the biggest European conference on international relations to Germany and to the University of Potsdam for the first time. In previous years, the European International Studies Association (EISA) conference took place in Athens, Sofia, and Prague.

The five-day conference’s program includes presentations and round table discussions on many current topics: ranging from foreign and security policy, via economic and trade policy to migration, technology, and democracy studies. The University of Potsdam’s political scientists also bring their expertise to the table: Thomas Sommerer will chair the round table discussion on the crisis and future of multilateralism. Andrea Liese and Andreas Ullmann, alongside Mirko Heinzel from the University of Glasgow, will present their research into the role of independent experts in international organizations. Maria Debre investigates how autocracies undermine human rights in international organizations and how the role of regional organizations changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. An analysis of how violence against women was discussed in the Council of Europe will be the topic of Michael Giesen’s presentation.

If you are a media representative looking to report on the conference, please e-mail: elena.nora.sondermannuuni-potsdampde.

More information about the conference:
Website: https://pec2023.eisa-net.org, Twitter hashtag: #EISAPEC23, Twitter handle: @europeanisa

Time: September 5 - 9, 2023, starting at 9:00 a.m. on September 5
Place: University of Potsdam, Griebnitzsee campus, August-Bebel-Str. 89, 14482 Potsdam
Contact: Dr. Elena Sondermann, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Chair of International Relations
Phone: +49 331 977-4643, E-Mail: elena.nora.sondermannuuni-potsdampde

Media information 29-08-2023 / No. 088

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