IGSD News
SHAPEDEM-EU Fellow starts a visiting fellowship at the University of Ghent
Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window, SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window research fellow, started a month-long in-residence visiting fellowship at the Eureast Platform at the University of Ghent. The EureastLink opens in a new window Platform engages in academic collaboration with academics from Eastern Europe and Eureasia. Aijan will present her ongoing work on academic positionality, self-censorship and resilience in Central Asia.
Prof. Elena Korosteleva and Dr Paul Hansbury invited to brief a new Charge D'Affaires designate for Belarus
Professor Korosteleva and Dr Hansbury represented the WUB-hub on 28 August at the Foreign Office London when briefing a new Head of Mission appointed for Belarus. During the roundtable inter alia the issues of democratic political structures, foreign policy, and civil society developments were discussed.
IGSD Network away day
IGSD had a network away day, with a facilitator Dr Paula Black, to review its strategy and identify roadmaps for growing further, including its Thematic and Honorary Fellows' networks. The Away Day took place at the Junction, and was informative as to ways forward, including how to better integrate and contribute to the Sustainability Spotlight Initiative, going forward.
Professor Korosteleva spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) of the Council of Europe (COE) on Belarus
Professor Korosteleva was invited by the COE Secretariat to speak at the PACE COE conference 'Luxembourg Solutions' on the future of Belarus. The focus of this session was to develop recommendations based on the report produced by Paul Galles (Luxemburg Epp/CD) in 2023, which resolution was adopted by the PACE in 2024. This report and its discussions should lay foundations for the actions by the COE member states - national parliaments - in relation to Belarus, including on the issues of visa and consular protection; political prisoners and refugees; identity preservation, education and employment access for the displaced Belarusians residing in Europe. For more information visit here.
IGSD Explores Collaboration Opportunities with New Uzbek Ambassador to UK
During their visit, His Excellency Ravshan Usmanov, Deputy Head of MIssion Suhrob Vaseev, and 3rd Secretary, Jasur Valiev met with Professor ELena Korosteleva, IGSD Director, to discuss opportunities for further collaboration with the Universities of Uzbekistan, and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in particular. This was a follow-up talk after Elena's visit to the country in 2023, and fruitful discussions with a range of Universities there, as well as the Agency for Innovation and Development, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. The delegaton, during their visit, also toured the world-class facilities offered bin Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG); discussed teacher-training and intercultural training for students and professionals with the School of Education, Learning and Communication Sciences (SELCS); and explored opportunities in hospitality education with our partners, the University College Birmingham. For more information see here: https://warwick.ac.uk/global/news/prof_stuart_croft