Topics: The call for papers seeks to spur scholars and practitioners to consider ways in which to introduce innovative thinking on how to use EU and NATO conditionality to address the unique problems in the Western Balkans. Sample problems/questions include: Some countries of Southeast Europe do not show as much enthusiasm for European integration as countries involved in earlier waves of enlargement (such as the Baltic States). How can this be addressed by the international community? Can certain parts of the acquis communautaire be made to do 'double duty?' For example, can the chapters on education be geared toward promoting ethnic integration in Bosnia? Can European Regional policy offer solutions for Serbs in Kosovo? The accession process to the Western Balkans would seem to require an additional layer of adequate policy tools to address the specific problems in the region. What types of tools could be used? How would they be employed and by whom? What special role can be played by neighbouring states, such as Greece, in bringing this region into the European fold? What insights might be offered by recent EU accession countries that might offer lessons to the countries of the Western Balkans? The papers resulting from the project will be reviewed, edited and published as conference proceedings and distributed to a wide audience. The publication will be presented at a public event at the Wilson Center, which would allow select research project participants to present their findings to the wider Washington DC policy community.

Language: English
Deadline: October 01, 2007
Proposal selection will be completed by mid-October 2007.
First draft papers will be due November 19, 2007, in time for distribution to all conference participants.

Contact: Nida Gelazis
E-mail: nida.gelazis@wilsoncenter.org
Internet: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1422&fuseaction=topics.item&news_id=268400

Source: e4business