SHAPEDEM-EU organised an online expert discussion to explore the root causes and future implications of the ongoing mass protests in Georgia against the adoption of the "foreign agents" law. The discussion featured an in-house expertise - Dr. Nona MikhelidzeLink opens in a new window (Istituto Affari Internazionali), Kristina Pitalskaya (EaP Civil Partnership), and Dr. Aijan Sharshenova Link opens in a new window(University of Warwick).

The discussion took place on May 10th via zoom and was open to the public.

The SHAPEDEM-EU Link opens in a new windowProject unites 12 academic, research and civil society institutions in an effort to rethink and reshape EU democracy support in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods.

The talk will focus on the post-war Soviet famine with a special focus on what was occurring in Moldovan and Ukrainian SSR. It will be of relevance to all those who are interested in history, politics, geography and sustainable futures, of the post-Soviet space and beyond. The talk is happening on 7 May at 11-13.00 in R0.14 (Ramphal) - everyone is welcome! Alternatively you can join via teams.

IGSD Research Fellow Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window discussed David Cameron's recent Central Asia and Mongolia tour in the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Majlis podcastLink opens in a new window. Other participants included Professor Luca Anceschi from Glasgow University and Benjamin Godwin, PRISM political risk management company. Lord Cameron's visit covered all five Central Asian republics and ended in Mongolia.

Professor Korosteleva was invited by the EUISS to speak onshtag resilience and the need to rethink EU support for Moldova, Georgia and Armenia, at the European Council Building, Brussels. The meeting was attended by the officials from the European Commission, External Action Service, and country representatives working towards developing a new strategy, based on resilience. This was research with impact, in the making.

Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window, a research fellow working on SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window project at the IGSD, published a book chapter on polity diffusion and regime security in Central Asia. Her contribution explores the politics of autocracy promotion, autocracy diffusion, authoritarian learning and know-how exchange between Central Asian republics and Russia, a regional trend-setter.

The book is published by German publisher Nomos with the support of the the Centre of German and European Studies (CGES/ZDES) at Bielefeld University and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Hard copies are available to purchase at the publisher's websiteLink opens in a new window, and soft copies are free to download (open access).