DIM for Students

• May 14, 2022 – Conference ” Cireșe amare (Bitter Cherries)”. Liliana Nechita (author of the book with the same title), Fatma Yilmaz (expert in gender and minority policies), and Mircea Mocanu (head of the IOM office in Romania) discussed, in a debate moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cristian Pîrvulescu (Dean of FSP-SNSPA), qualitative research as life stories from which an entire effort of “social archaeology” emerges, allowing us to understand some aspects of the post’89 immigration. No public policy can be considered legitimate or well-founded enough if it does not include personal experience. The video review of the book is available on our YouTube channel.
• December 14, 2022 – Debate “What Happened to Us?”. Roxana Dumitrache (feminist activist and author) discussed with Fatma Yilmaz (expert in gender and minority policies) about and on the book “Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the 40-Year Rivalry That Shattered Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East,” written by Kim Ghattas, a cultural, societal, and political introspective of the Middle East. The video review of the book is available on our YouTube channel.
• March 9, 2023 – Conference “Urban Myths and … Migrantopathy.” Dan Alexe (writer, author of the cultural essay volumes Dacopatia și alte rătăciri românești (Dacopathy and other Romanian wanderings) and Babel. La început a fost cuvântul (Babel. In the beginning was the word) and Gelu Duminică (sociologist, lecturer at the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest) discussed the migration of the Roma population in an event moderated by Fatma Yilmaz (expert in gender and minority policies). The full recording of the conference is available on our YouTube channel.
• May 26, 2023 – Conference “The Armenian Community in Romania: Genocide and Exile”. Varujan Pambuccian (Vice President of the Union of Armenians in Romania), Liviu Rotman (professor at FSP-SNSPA and director of the Centre for Israeli Studies), and Fatma Yilmaz (expert in gender and minority policies) discussed the past and present of the Armenian community in Romania in an event moderated by Ciprian Necula, associate professor at SNSPA. The promo is available on our YouTube channel.

April 4, 2024, Humanitas Centrul Vechi (42 Lipscani street) – “The Swimmers” (2022), directed by Sally El-Hosaini, a cinematic work based on real events, following the hopeful and courageous journey of individuals risking their lives crossing unknown seas in search of safety and a new beginning. The film was screened with the support of UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency).

The first event of this project will take place in Autumn 2024 and will be promoted on our social media channels.

ROMANIAN LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND CIVILIZATION LECTURESHIP AT ANKARA UNIVERSITY

Alina TEODORESCU

30 September 2024

The Centre for the Study of International Development and Migration (DIM) recently visited the Romanian Language, Culture, and Civilization Lectureship at Ankara University as part of the DIM Visits project

We appreciate cultural diversity and initiatives that generate a positive impact on society and communities as a whole, which is why we focused our attention on the Lectureship—a true bridge for dialogue and intercultural understanding, bringing those who cross its threshold closer to Romanian identity.

The study of the Romanian language and culture in Ankara began in 1991, with the establishment of the Romanian Language Department within the Faculty of Languages, History, and Geography at Ankara University. The department was transformed into a lectureship in 2017, following the signing of an inter-institutional collaboration protocol between the Romanian Language Institute in Bucharest and Ankara University, with the support of the Romanian Embassy in Türkiye. Since then, lecturer Dr. Alina Iftime, the sole faculty member of the Lectureship, has passionately dedicated herself to developing this institution, enthusiastically embracing any opportunity to promote its activities and bring students closer to Romanian culture and civilization.

The activities carried out within the Lectureship have been reflected in various articles in the Romanian press, and information about its functioning is available on the Romanian Language Institute’s website. Conferences, lectures, events dedicated to significant moments in Romanian history and culture, as well as creative workshops, such as making traditional sorcova or decorating the Christmas tree, seem to be the fruits of an entire team’s work. In reality, however, all these activities are organized with dedication and limited resources by one person—Professor Alina Iftime. She has only a few textbooks in the Lectureship’s library, but compensates for this with her remarkable passion and commitment to her teaching mission. Modest financial and logistical resources have not discouraged her, and her efforts to maintain the attractiveness and relevance of the courses have been appreciated by students. Whether through prose and poetry composed by Romanian authors translated into Turkish or writings in English about Romania, Ms. Iftime has proactively acquired every book that has come her way.

What motivates Turkish students to study Romanian language and culture?

A primary response from students highlighted Ms. Iftime’s reputation for her engaging and interactive courses, recognized by her colleagues, who encourage students to enroll in the courses offered by the Lectureship. The pleasant atmosphere of the classes is another determining factor. In the case of student Tuna, whose name means “Danube” in Turkish, her motivation was tied to her family roots, as her grandmother came from a region that was once part of Romania (now in Bulgaria). Whether motivated by curiosity, the desire to continue their studies in Romania, or personal connections, under Ms. Iftime’s guidance, the Lectureship attracts hundreds of students each year eager to discover and deepen their knowledge of Romania.

Promoting the Romanian language and culture abroad not only strengthens national identity but also facilitates intercultural communication, contributing to the creation of more tolerant societies that embrace diversity rather than being divided by it. In this context, initiatives such as the Romanian Language, Culture, and Civilization Lectureship at Ankara University play an essential role in strengthening intercultural relations and promoting national values across borders. These efforts not only bring Romania closer to other nations but also create a space for dialogue and mutual understanding.

During the visit to the Romanian Language, Culture, and Civilization Lectureship, we had the opportunity to present the activities of the Centre and share the opportunities we offer to students. In particular, we extended an open invitation to students from the Lectureship to apply for internships or volunteer positions at DIM. We are convinced that their inclusion in the DIM team could generate new valuable initiatives, and we would be happy to collaborate on ongoing projects.

We also took advantage of this meeting to present the Master’s program in International Development and Migration as a possible option for students considering continuing their studies in Romania.

Our presentation concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which the Lectureship students expressed interest in the opportunities presented. Their curiosity covered a wide range of topics, from details about internships and volunteer possibilities to questions about the structure and requirements of the Master’s program.

In conclusion, we express our support for the activities of the Lectureship, which, through the events, courses, and activities offered, contribute to a better understanding of Romania, thereby strengthening intercultural relations and encouraging new generations of students to explore and understand Romanian culture.

The representatives of the Centre for International Development and Migration Studies (DIM) participated on May 10, 2024, in an event dedicated to the situation of Ukrainians in Romania, organized within the framework of the ARCA Club project by Kindernothilfe. This event was an important occasion for discussion and exchange of information among organizations actively involved in supporting the Ukrainian community.

Our centre’s experts took part in this event, offering valuable perspectives and practical solutions regarding the support and integration of the Ukrainian community in Romania. We were pleased to stand alongside remarkable organizations such as UNHCR, Terre des Hommes, Ateliere fără frontiere, DGASMB, and many others, who presented best practices and relevant experiences.

The event provided an opportunity to identify common strategies and foster collaboration among various entities involved in supporting Ukrainians and other vulnerable communities. We are committed to continuing our efforts to contribute to facilitating integration and improving the quality of life for these groups, thereby promoting social cohesion and solidarity in our society.

YOUNG AMBASSADORS FORUM 2024

Bondoc Andrei Alexandru

Young Ambassadors Forum (YAF) is an event characterized by connectivity and ambitious organizational cooperation. The Forum is organized annually under the guise of the Volunteers for Ideas and Projects (VIP) NGO and is the result of the laborious work from the most recent members of the organization, planned since December 2023. Among the YAF 2024 partners are The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Department of Sustainable Development, and the Romanian Bank EXIM.

YAF took place over four days, between the 25^th – 28^th of April. The theme of this edition was ’Diplomacy and Activism: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future’. The dynamics of the event were characterized by an alert workshop schedule and the participation of a culturally diverse collective, formed of students from different cities in Romania and from abroad.

The first day debuted with an opening ceremony, which took place at the Victoria Palace, in the meeting room of the Department of Sustainable Development, chaired by Mir. State Councillor László Borbély. As an introduction, a video recording of the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Mircea Geoană, was played, whose speech centred on the importance of diplomacy in International Relations, also offering the students a piece of personal advice, to guide them in their future career – to be optimistic, because they’ll be capable of grand achievements. Then came speeches by Mr. Borbély, other members of the Department, and experts in the field of diplomacy, who described the activity of the Department and the coordinates of a diplomatic career. After the end of the ceremony at the Victoria Palace, the event took place in the conference room of the Europa Royale Hotel in the Old Town. The first training of the edition revolved around Environmental Law and aimed at exploring the most important international treaties in the field.

In the evening, a Diplomatic Reception was hosted, attended by members of the Embassies of Thailand, Malaysia, Italy, Pakistan, and Morocco to Romania, as well as activists on current international problems. The diplomatic personnel present showed openness to dialogue, offering students the occasion to ask questions, so that the latter could enrich their knowledge on the field of diplomacy. The second and third days were marked by workshops regarding a large array of issues: discrimination, intersectionality, the causes of climate change, and how to reach carbon neutrality. The speakers were experts in the fields of interest, members of several NGO’s, and professors at SNSPA. One of the most appreciated activities was the Q&A session with Romania’s Youth Representative to the United Nations, Alexandru Drăghia, and two representatives from previous generations, which had motivational speeches for the young people at the beginning of their careers. On the last day of the event, the activities had a pragmatic character, being meant to offer the participants the chance to apply all the information accumulated through the trainings, therefore the final goal was creating a Resolution similar to those adopted by the UN General Assembly. The exercise involved acting as the lawmaker on climate issues and adopting the necessary measures. To give the exercise real utility, the Department of Sustainable Development announced that it would consider the proposals from the Resolution of the Forum.

On April 19, 2024, two members of DIM participated in the conference “The Role of Diplomacy in the Context of Current Geopolitical Challenges”, organized by the Romanian Diplomatic Institute (IDR). Their presence at the event marked the launch of the DIM Visits initiative, a project that provides DIM members with the opportunity to participate in activities focused on international relations, organized by other institutions or organizations, both in Romania and abroad.

The main objective of the event was to analyse and highlight the essential role that diplomacy plays on the international stage, with a focus on recent major geopolitical events, including the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. The challenges facing global diplomacy were debated by experts, diplomatic personnel, and students. Among the invited speakers were Victor Chirilă, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania, and Olivia Toderean, the Romanian Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

In her opening remarks, IDR Director, Professor Liliana Popescu-Bîrlan, emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue and the need for effective management of Romania’s relations with other state actors, as well as active engagement in the international organizations of which it is a part. This was followed by a focused dialogue on the topic, during which guests expressed their views and encouraged participants to ask questions and make comments. One of the consensually supported goals was the need for Romania to capitalize on opportunities and respond promptly to challenges arising on the current geopolitical stage. According to the DIM members who attended the conference, Teodora Bucur and Andrei Mihăilă, the event went beyond merely delivering speeches, offering participants the opportunity to actively engage in the discussion of the agenda topics. Additionally, through the knowledge shared by experts and relevant figures in Romania’s foreign policy dynamics, the conference constituted a true “window into the current international scene”.