As organizer and conference chair, Mitja Žagar with collaborators at the IES organized in the period 2014-18 a series of four international regional scientific conferences Inclusion and Integration in Diverse Societies funded by the Zagreb Office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). Considering the relevance and social importance of discussed topics globally and particularly in the region of Central and South-Eastern Europe FES decided to continue the series with three additional conferences and considers their continuation in the future. The conferences gather scholars and experts from the region as well as those studying the region, but also social activists, public opinion leaders and public servants, dealing with those issues. Politicians and representative of state institutions are invited to individual conference events. Results and recommendations of conferences are presented at international scientific conferences, in publications of participants (particularly in scholarly journals and monographs) as well as to the relevant state institutions and international organizations.
B.01 Organiser of a scientific meeting
Based on the results of empirical research conducted at the Institute for Ethnic Studies, the paper presented at the conference suggests that the relevant policy in Slovenia allows for the possibility of using minority languages in ethnically mixed areas. The effects of such policy are mirrored in the capabilities and attitudes of individuals, who eventually create the conditions for the use of minority language in various domains. The legal system in Slovenia establishes institutional bilingualism, which, however, is not based on functional bilingualism because despite the possibilities and capabilities, the use of national community language on the formal level is inadequate. The results of research point out that there is no interaction between the language of the national community and the environment. The article drew the attention of the wider international expert public to the fact that having the possibility and capability to use their mother tongue in all domains is indeed important for the identity of a national community, but still not enough for the existence of a bilingual/multilingual society. An active majority is also needed, because the minority does not live alone and does not communicate only with itself.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 12583245With extensive entries in the Enzyklopädie der slowenischen Kulturgeschichte in Kärnten/Koroška: von den Anfängen bis 1942, published in three volumes by the prestigious Böhlau publishing house, we present and explain to German-speaking readers a number of complicated events, persons and institutions that decisively marked the history of cross-border relations, which contributes to better understanding between the nations and enables better cooperation and a common future. Entry: The Academy of Slovene Theologians in Klagenfurt was formally established in 1848 and is one of the Slovene societies in Klagenfurt with the longest history. When, in 1848 (the Spring of Nations), the activities of Slovenes in Klagenfurt intensified and several societies began to emerge, also the Slovene theologians in the Klagenfurt seminary, joined the national revival. The main concern and purpose of the Academy was to provide Slovene language courses for its students since, in addition to their professional education, priests also needed to know the language spoken by worshippers. Language was also a symbol of national affiliation, and Academy members were supposed to use Slovene in their future everyday professional and private life. The Academy inspired the young theologians to love the Slovene language and nation and prepared them for pastoral and cultural-political work among the Slovene people. The Slovene priests in Carinthia represented the spiritual and partly political elite that decided and managed the politics, culture and economic organisations of Carinthian Slovenes. It can be concluded that the Slovene priests of Carinthia halted down the process of assimilation and violent Germanisation – without them, the process would be carried out more thoroughly, much earlier, and above all more rapidly.
F.29 Contribution to the development of national cultural identity
COBISS.SI-ID: 13147213The scientific monograph published on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Institute for Ethnic Studies includes 13 selected articles from researchers participating in the RP. Its multidisciplinary contributions cover various scientific fields. The monograph analyses the social status of Slovene minorities in neighbouring countries (Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary), the status and dynamics of immigrants and other national minorities in Slovenia, language and its economic value in multicultural environments, and diversity management and integration. The monograph distinguishes itself providing theoretical models of research of ethnic issues and innovative approaches to the study of minority issues. The monograph represents a comprehensive study of ethnic and minority issues in the Slovene social setting and wider area. Monographs covering so many different topics are rare in Slovenia.
C.02 Editorial board of a national monograph
COBISS.SI-ID: 284852992