International Conference on Current Global Developments and the Nordic

 

 

 

 

Jean Monnet Module

 

Understanding European Integration

Through the Regional Lens

 

 

Centre for European Studies,

School of International Studies,

Jawaharlal Nehru University

 

 

Organises

International Conference

on

Current Global Developments and the Nordic

 

 

Current Global Developments and the Nordic

 

Developments over the last two years have been challenging for states across the globe. The Covid-19 pandemic affected one and all, every country struggled to cope and devise policies that would limit its spread and deadly impact. The lockdown, and the ban on travel affected life and livelihoods. Developing and administering vaccines to immunize the population posed a daunting task. The pandemic years had its economic fallout, and states had to prioritize pandemic recovery. And just as the world started to limp back to normalcy, new developments in the international stage posed its own set of challenges. The Russia- Ukrainian crisis has blown up into a full-scale war the effect of which are being felt much beyond Europe. Europe’s reading of the current crisis as a challenge to ‘their way of life’ has resulted in a unified show of strength and response in condemning Russia and extending support to Ukraine and Ukrainians. Ukrainian women and children fleeing the war and seeking refuge in neighbouring CEE countries where were warmly welcomed and European citizens extended support unhesitatingly. Many countries recalibrated their policies to help Ukraine mount and sustain an offensive against Russia. The crisis had an impact on how EU and Europe perceived their security. Severe sanctions were slapped to strike Russia’s ability to sustain its’ offensive. But it also exposed EU and Europe’s vulnerability vis-à-vis their dependence on Russian oil and gas. The looming energy crisis would also impact Europe’ climate commitments.

 

Apart from the challenges that the immediate crisis posed, Europe and the European Union was also dealing with the impact of the rise of an assertive China on the established rules-based international order. This is reflected in EU and its member states growing interest in the Indo-Pacific and the EU articulating its own position on the region and its connectivity strategy countering China’s BRI.

 

It is in this backdrop of such developments that the Centre for European Studies is holding two-day international conference on the Nordic. The Centre has been regularly looking at this region known for welfare model, providing quality education and healthcare, advanced technology, gender parity, social trust, and happiness. However, the Nordic have over the last few years not been immune to the rise of rightwing populism in Europe. Immigration, integration, refugees are as much an agenda in the Nordic as in other European countries. For instance, Sweden which was the first country in the world to adopt a feminist foreign policy in 2014 has given up on it post 2022 elections. Following the 2022 elections Sweden Democrats emerged as an important player and though not in government will play a deciding role in policies in the coming years. Sweden and Finland’s debate on NATO membership changed after February this year and both have applied for NATO membership. All these developments merit attention.

 

The conference (hybrid mode) will focus on both the internal and external developments in the Nordic countries. Papers are invited along the following themes, though not limited to them.

 

1. Political Developments
2. Covid-19 and the Nordic Response
3. Climate Change Commitments
4. Energy Security
5. Social Developments
6. Foreign Policy
7. Nordic-India Relations

 

Contributors are requested to send their abstracts not exceeding 300 words to ceusconference2021@gmail.com by January10^th, 2023.

 

Prof. Bhaswati Sarkar

Convener