Social Changes in Focus is a project aimed at promoting science and expertise gathered by Collegium Civitas experts.
Collegium Civitas is known for the high quality of teaching and research in social sciences. With “Social Changes in Focus” we want to make yet another step towards increased international visibility of Polish academia.
In the section “Social Changes in Focus” of our website we publish opinions and expert comments by Collegium Civitas faculty. Through a dedicated Twitter account we publish research insights and comments on society, politics, and all that regulates them.
Follow us at: https://twitter.com/ChangesInFocus
The views expressed by Collegium Civitas experts reflect their personal opinions and positions. The experts are available for press interviews in English; their contact details are featured in the published comments.The project Social Changes in Focus started in 2022 in cooperation with pro science.
Global Terrorism Index 2024
Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska: On February 29, 2024, the Institute for Economics and Peace published the report Global Terrorism Index 2024. The results are, unfortunately, not surprising. Terrorism is on the rise and has become more geographically concentrated. The Sahel remains the world’s epicenter of terrorism. Burkina Faso was assessed as the country the most impacted by terrorism, followed by Israel.
Victory of the democratic opposition
Prof. Stanisław Mocek: The victory of the democratic opposition creates an opportunity to abandon the variant of Hungarian authoritarianism and rebuild Poland's position in the international arena, especially in the European Union, which will allow the absorption of funds from the National Reconstruction Plan.
Parliamentary elections - note from the vote counting in Poland (16.10.23, at noon)
Dr. Katarzyna Iwińska: If this year's elections confirm that voter turnout exceeds 70%, it can be said that the Polish society has indeed learned the lesson of civic rights, which we have been learning for over 25 years, and has come to believe that the voter's voice matters. This voters' mobilization certainly has many reasons, but for social researchers, it is a manifestation of civic agency and the need of democracy.
Western loss of control or global endgame? An iron age looms on the horizon
Dr Jens Boysen: On top of the manifold strategic, economic and normative consequences brought about by the Russian war against Ukraine (which does not seem to be getting anywhere close to any solution) such as the practical end of the OSCE or BRICS’ attempts to circumvent what remains of the US-built post-World War II global financial system, further crises keep hitting and undermining the international order – if “order” still is the apt term to describe the actual global state of affairs.
(Once again) Migrants as a part of political campaign
Dr Monika Nowicka: This year Polish government uses migrants as a political weapon. The Spokesman of the Government announced that a referendum on the relocation of migrants to Poland would be held. The referendum is a Polish reply to an agreement reached by EU Member States on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
A reborn West? The Russian-Ukrainian war as a time of trial
Dr Jens Boysen: The US will not give up its European bridgehead, but it needs disburdening by a strong, well-armed Europe; however, the EU is farther away from “strategic autonomy” than ever, and it is no actual security provider. Rather, it is the European pillar of NATO that is being reinforced. If the need to contain Russia persists in the forthcoming years, this will strengthen the ‘tough’ post-Socialist countries on the Eastern flank that today are the most committed transatlanticists.
The European Political Community: Building Block of a New European Order?
Dr Kerry Longhurst: The European Political Community (EPC) was conceived in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. With 45 members, the EPC links EU and non-EU states with a view to deepen pan-European solidarity. The second EPC summit takes place in Moldova in June and will be an opportunity to verify if it is likely to become a building block of a new Europe or just a talking shop.
To provide support for refugees with disabilities
Dr Monika Nowicka: Almost 1,240,000 Ukrainian War Refugees (UWR) have been staying in Poland, and 85,000 in Romania (UNHCR). There is an urgent need to collect data and prepare guidelines for people who support Ukrainian War Refugees with Disabilities.
Why we need an EU-wide discussion on migration
Dr Vanessa Tinker: The EU is now at a crossroads. Should policy focus on the root causes of migration or fortify borders and improve ‘pushback’ strategies, which fly in the face of international law, and human rights? Crucially, whilst in 2022 most European states responded at pace and with generosity to the arrival of millions of Ukrainian refugees, the war also highlighted the flaccidity of the EU as an actor to issue a collective response.
Social Change can end Period Poverty in Polish Refugee Camps
Dr Omoye Akhagba will be presenting the outcomes of her research “Mapping Menstruation Poverty in Polish Refugee Camps: Pilot Study” at the Second Annual Conference of the Menstruation Research Network (UK) on Menstruation & Sustainability on May 26, 2023.