Hello everyone,
The Association of the Sociology Students at the Sofia University (ASSSU) is a non-profit organization comprising of about thirty volunteers. Most of them are current or former students at the Sofia University. ASSSU’s main purpose is to support students and young people in their education; to advocate for their educational and civic rights; to organize public debates on hot issues of the temporary society; to
establish and develop network of similar organizations from Eastern Europe and the Balkan region in order to stimulate initiatives and activities; related to sociological reflection on similar social problems and development trends in the region. In 2008 we created and hosted Spring School “New Forms of Human Rights and Civil Activity in 21st century�. The Spring School brought together students from all around the Balkan countries, Eastern and Central Europe and discussed the nature and transformation of their rights as citizens of the former communist countries. ASSSU has also taken part in projects as a partner and co-applicant with other organizations.
Our new project is:
Reinvention of the "homeland" in the clash between ethnic and civic identities in a situation of raising nationalpopulism in the countries of South East Europe.
1.
*The problem*
It is accepted that national identities in the SEE countries are based on ethnic identities – i.e. based on the notions of common descent, origin – history and language are extremely important for thus constructed identity; usually this national identity, based on ethnicity is monoethnic. On the contrary, countries like the USA, UK, France, Switzerland are called state nations and their national identity is based on the notion of citizenship – respect of the rights and
obligations of the nation state; active political participation; it is assumed that those nations are more tolerant towards different ethnic groups, living in their countries – the typical examples are the USA and Switzerland.
The SEE states are multiethnic and multireligious – for instance in Bulgaria live Bulgarians, Roma, Turks; in Serbia – Serbs, Roma, Hungarians…; in Macedonia – Macedonians, Albanians, Roma; in Romania – Romanians, Hungarians, Roma….and at the same time the historical and literary canon is still mono-ethnic. Something more, in recent years sociological surveys register raising national populism among population as a whole, but especially among young people. The situation could
become dangerous, if the notion of “homeland� is not changed in the direction of including all the groups living on the national territory; and focusing more on the civic identity – we all live in the same country and we have to think about its prosperity and better future.
2.
*The Objective*
To try to re-imagine, reinvent the notion of “homeland� as based on civic identity, on the notion of citizenship; from the point of view of the future we, as young people, want to live.
3.
*Methods*
Discussing the official versions of different history canons and debating them. As we live in a common region we could see commonalities, which could provoke a wider version of the history.
Discussing movies which pose the question “whose history is this� like the Bulgarian documentary “Whose song is this�, director Adella Peeva which presents different versions of one and the same song in different Balkan countries.
Comparing different history textbooks in order to see how same historical events are narrated in the different countries. Is there an “objective history�?
Debating the notion of civic identity and how it relates to national identity.
Debating the desired by us future ; what do European values mean, on the basis of the data of 4^th “wave� sociological survey - 2008, which includes 44 countries.
Going to a Roma neighborhood and organizing a discussion with young people living there, how they imagine their identity and their future
Debating the role of the web – You tube, Facebook, My space ; in overcoming cultural differences
Experimenting new ways of visual presentation of SEE countries
Art Experiment-installa tion in the centre of Plovdiv, which aims to involve the citizens of Plovdiv towards of more open, tolerant and civic art of thinking.
4.
*Expected results*
Developed ideas of reinventing “homeland� based on the notion of citizenship and tolerance.
Web based discussion and video clips
5.
*Previous experience in that field*
Spring school – debates on new forms of Human rights
Experience in visual methods – debates on movies, clips
Participation in research projects on Roma integration
Participation in projects of Research Center of Social Science related to the topic nationhood and citizenship
6.
*Place*
The city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria – seminars and debates at Plovdiv University, presentation in the centre of the city, activities in Roma-neighborhoods
7.
*Time*
7 days - WORKING 2 days - TRAVEL 9 days in total in the middle of August
PLEASE SEND YOUR ORIGINAL PART III VIA POST TO ADDRESS:
Asssu, 125 Tzarigradsko shose Bld., bl. 4, fl. 4, room 428, Postal code 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
AND YOUR SCANED PART III VIA E-MAIL TO: homeland_project@ abv.bg
We are applying for 1 april, so please send your documentation fast. We will accept documents send before 27. 03. 2009
Contact person for the project is Mr. Lyubomir Pozharliev
Please feel free to send any questions to homeland_project@ abv.bg
Best regards
Lyubomir Pozharliev
Contact person
ASSSU
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