The Center for Advanced Studies and Education (CASE) on Social Transformation in the Western Eurasia Border Region − Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine

The Center for Advanced Studies and Education (CASE) on Social Transformation in the Western Eurasian Border Region was established in 2003 with funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to American Councils for International Education. CASE is a vital research center which works to strengthen research on social transformation in the region, improve the system of higher education in social science and the humanities, and form effective networks of university academics and scholars. In previous stages of the CASE project, the research framework was supported and justified; a research agenda was established; different research approaches were tested; and a strong system of contacts within the regional professional community was established.

CASE is collaborative project of the European Humanities University (EHU) and American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (American Councils), which maintains a support network for exchange and scholarly work in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as across Eurasia, Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and Afghanistan. In cooperation with EHU, American Councils is seeking funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to continue and expand the critical work of CASE and its vital services to the region’s scholars.

Significant changes have taken place in the western Eurasian border region over the past two years. This area is extremely dynamic, and often change occurs as a result of the interplay of economic, political, ethnic, and multiple other factors. This dynamism is evident in the growing internal consolidation of the region, despite sharp political and economic differences within. The question of whether Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova constitute a single region can be considered more or less resolved.

The process of European integration on the one hand, and changes in the foreign policy of Russia – especially after the August 2008 military conflict with Georgia, on the other – clearly demonstrate the particular status of the region. Thus, this area is internally integrated by controversial yet interrelated processes. Emerging elements of this growing unity are enforced by the participation of Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova in the East Partnerships Program. This is aimed at both stabilization and the opening of the region to new perspectives on development.

The study of social transformation is becoming increasingly relevant due to the impact of the world economic crisis on the region. This economic force has become a kind of independent actor, modifying not only current economic development, but also the functioning of national political institutions, electoral campaigns, and the direction of foreign policy. Informed observation of nation-making processes within the region reveals new trends in identity construction, the practice of post-Soviet official nationalism, and majority/minority relations.

All of these issues on CASE’s research agenda require both a comparative and an interdisciplinary approach. In this context, CASE is uniquely situated to promote collaborative international projects and the exchange of scientific and academic information.

The establishment of professional research and education networks remains a priority of CASE activity. This goal has become even more important in recent years because of the growing isolation of national professional communities. This isolation is not only due to the influence of ideology or political interference, but also results from a lack of stable channels of communication, and real and virtual space for professional discussions. The impact of the world economic crisis deeply cut resources and possibilities for academic mobility, including the organization of scientific conferences and seminars. In this context, CASE provides unique opportunities for extensive communication within the academic community of the border region.

The work of CASE also focuses on the possibilities for cooperation, such as face-to-face collaboration by scholars within the context of ongoing research seminars and scholarly conferences, will also be supported in future efforts. This will allow for the revitalization of the Center’s research agenda, and the formation of an intellectually critical view of the analysis of the region’s social processes.

Another important priority is the modernization of social science and humanities instruction within the system of higher education. The existence of a significant number of knowledgeable, well-trained teachers and professionals is essential for any social transformation to take place in the three-nation area. At the same time, there are many examples of situations in which independent forms of knowledge and thinking are pushed out by the official systems of higher education of the region. There is a clear demand for new educational practices based on non-governmental, independent, regional structures.

To accomplish these goals,  CASE provides mentoring, training and research support for younger-generation scholars from all parts of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. CASE also seeks to foster the formation of local, regional and international cooperative networks of scholars through the organization of thematically-focused workshops, conferences and joint projects.