Newsletter - Social Science in Eastern Europe 2000-2
Belgium
Social Sciences Research in the Area of Central and Eastern Europe: the
Belgian Case
Introduction
The Belgian universities' map does not speak for itself, where it concerns
area studies in Central and Eastern Europe[10].
It is indeed not an easy task to "discover" where exactly outstanding
research centres or institutions, specialised in "East European
studies" (Osteuropakunde), and in particular in social sciences, are
located. One could argue that research institutes, specialised in Central and
East European studies as a rule have "low profiles" in Belgium. Often
they operate under a broader umbrella of a faculty, a department or an institute
with a more general name.
This picture did not really change after the collapse of communism. On the
contrary, some specialised institutes on Central and Eastern Europe were merged
into European institutes, with a broader pan-European scope or were integrated
in a faculty and lost their multidisciplinary character. Often, one has to look
for specific persons, fascinated by this area or for institutes with more
general names. There are some exceptions: rare institutes profiling themselves
as involved in the study of the region, such as the "Russian
Institute" in Gent and the "Leuven Institute for Central and East
European Studies". Both institutes however are not focusing on social
sciences but more on transition economics and (for the Russian Institute in
Gent) on Russian language.
The fact that Belgium has quite some research activity going on in the
discipline of social sciences related to Central and Eastern Europe is not the
result of a focused policy of the governments (the Belgian, the Flemish and the
French speaking) nor of the universities to create some centers of excellence in
area studies or in social sciences related to Central and Eastern Europe.
Instead of a result of a well-balanced policy, we can talk about "the
survival of the fittest" on the one hand and (fortunately) about
interesting examples of interuniversity cooperation in a differentiated and
divided framework.
Area studies
Area studies remain a difficult field, especially for research in Belgium.
Research funding sources, such as the Fund for Scientific Research, do not
recognize area studies as a specific field of research. This implies that
researchers have to apply trough the (discipline-oriented) faculties. This
structural problem makes inter-disciplinary cooperation more difficult.
At the Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB: the French speaking Free
University), one discovers several centres involved in Central and East European
studies. The ULB can rely on a tradition of several decennia of
multidisciplinary research in Central and Eastern Europe. Prof. Rene Dekkers, a
well-known specialist in civil and comparative law, at the end of his career
became fascinated by Russian law and East European policies during communism. He
established a "Centre des Pays de l'Est" at the Institut de Sociologie
(Institut Solvay) at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles. This centre disposes
(the collection is still there) of some rare sources dating from the forties and
fifties of the communist regime in the field of social sciences in all Central
and East European countries. During the communist period, China was included as
well.
Post-communist transition brought some fundamental changes in the ULB-concept
of Central and East European studies. The Sociology Institute of ULB currently
hosts a "Multidisciplinary Research Centre on the Transition of East
European Countries to the Market Economies (CRITEME)"[11]. On the other hand, the Universite Libre de Bruxelles has
developed a Faculty Centre for International Research, which is related to its
program of International Relations (Centre Facultaire de Recherches
Internationales: CERIS)[12]. Central and
Eastern Europe is one of the favourite research fields as some of the professors
involved are specialised in Central and East European policies (for example
Prof. Mario Telo). The research topics are as diverse as the interests of the
participating scholars, ranging from "Democratic Transition in Eastern and
Central Europe" and "Cold War and Civil Society" to "The
Exile of Central European Intellectuals since 1945" and "Frontier
Towns at the Turn of the 21st Century".
Some publications, published by Editions de l'universite de Bruxelles: "Repenser
l'Europe", edited by Mario Telo and P. Magnette, 1996; "La gauche face
aux mutations en Europe", edited by P. Delwit and J. -M. De Waele, 1993;
J.M. De Waele, "L'emergence des partis politiques en Europe centrale",
1999.
In the Flemish part of the country, the university of Ghent hosts a Russian
Institute, which is currently organising an educational programme in Russian
Studies. In 1990, the State University of Ghent and the steel concern Sidmar
founded this institute that by means of courses in history, literature,
economics, law, politics, art etc. wants to contribute to the development of
Belgo-Russian commercial relations. It is linked to both the Slavonic Department
and the Centre for Central and East European Economies of the Faculty of
Economics and Business Administration (which provides the director of the
Russian Institute). The president of the Russian Institute is Prof. Hugo de
Maegd, specialised in Russian economy. The director is Prof. Koen Schoors. Its
functioning is currently under reconsideration, but it will resume its work from
September 2000 onwards[13].
The Leuven Institute for Central and East European Studies (LICOS) was
founded in 1990 as a multidisciplinary center, bringing together researchers of
different disciplines who were working on Russia and her former satellite
states. Soon afterwards, this institute was formally incorporated into the
Faculty of Economics. It became a centre for Transition economics, focusing on
labour market implications of developments in transition economies. It is no
longer confining itself to Central and Eastern Europe, but tries to study China
as a transition economy as well[14.
Some publications: Alan Mayhew (1998), "Recreating Europe. The European
Union's Policy towards Central and Eastern Europe", Cambridge University
Press.
Jozef Konings (jointly with F. Abraham), "Does the opening of Central
and Eastern Europe destroy Jobs in the West?" Leuven European standpoint 1,
1997.
Some publications: K. Malfliet and P. Vermeersch, "Labour Market and
Social Policy in Poland", Garant, Leuven, 1998; A. Krekeler-Joris,
"Turkey: A Bridge to Central Asia?" IEP Working paper, 1998, 34p; K.
Malfliet and R. Laenen, "Minority Policy in Central Europe. The Link
between Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy and European Integration, 1999.
Last March, both the Institute for European Studies at the Catholic
University Leuven and the Institute for European Policy at the Catholic
University Leuven were engaged in a project to create a chair "Baillet-Latour"
on the relations between Russia and the European Union. This project will not
only focus on the economic and political aspects of this relationship, but it
will also take into account the specific historical dimensions of the problem.
At the same time, it is a careful attempt to develop Slavic and East European
Studies as a real Area Study, refuting the splitting up of disciplines. Both
institutes will organise teaching and research in this field, they will
cooperate to analyse the new relation between Russia and the European Union. The
chair aims to foster studies on Russian identity, Russian self-definition,
throughout time as well as today. Likewise, The Chair will support the study of
European policy towards Russia. During the 2000-2001 academic year the chair
will sponsor a series of lectures.
At the Free University of Brussels, the Flemish counterpart of the Universite
Libre de Bruxelles, Prof. Erik Franckx is an expert on East European law systems
within the Center for International Law[15].
Prof. Franckx is the successor of professor Frits Gorle, who founded the Centre
for the Study of East European Socialist Law Systems (the so called
"Centrum Oost"), at the end of the seventies.
The recently founded Baltic, Central and East European network, situated in
the heart of Brussels, is a non-profit organisation that offers a meeting place
to anyone interested in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Baltic
region, whether from official (governmental), private (corporate) or scientific
origin[16].
European institutes
At Louvain-la-Neuve, the study of Central and Eastern Europe is integrated in
the Institut d'etudes europeennes. The institute gathered quite some knowledge
on Central Europe, with Prof. Reszohazy (a specialist in Hungary) and Prof.
Bernard, who studies, among others, the social policy of some countries of
Central and South-eastern Europe. The institute is primarily involved in the
study of the European enlargement. It is also the stake of ECSA Belgium
(European Community Studies Association - Belgian Branch. The director of the
institute is Prof. Michel Dumoulin (a well known historian).
At Leuven University (the Flemish counterpart of Louvain-la-Neuve), the
Institute for European Policy (IEP) aims at the multidisciplinary study of
institutional system transformations on the European continent. The IEP's realm
of study includes the European Union countries as well as those of Central and
Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The institute consists of two
research groups: "Institutions and Policy of the European Union"
(Prof. Delmartino) and "Institutions and Policy of Central and East
European Countries" (Prof. K. Malfliet)[17].
Each group has its own profile and approaches the European issues from its
distinct point of view. Both groups have a coordinated policy, take joint
initiatives and have common research projects. Concrete projects of the research
group "Institutions and Policy of the Central and East European
Countries" are for example: The federal concept of Russia; Russian foreign
Policy, Russian minorities in the Near Abroad, Institutional development in the
CIS, Health Policy in Bulgaria, Roma minorities in Central Europe, Hungarian
minorities in Central Europe, Political and social implications of EU-enlargement,
EU-Russia relations.
At the European Institute of Ghent University, Prof. Marc Maresceau has made
some major contributions - both in theory and practice, to the constitutional
reforms in several countries of Central and Eastern Europe[18]. Legal aspects of EU-enlargement towards the countries of
Central and Eastern Europe are in the focus of interest of this institute. Prof.
Maresceau organised several conferences on this theme, the last one in February
of this year on the problem of borders and enlargement in Europe. On the other
hand, the Institute for European Studies is doing research in the field of
enlargement of the European Union towards Central and Eastern Europe. The
institute hosts a well-organised library and a documentation centre with a
complete collection of official documents of the European Union.
The "Institut d'etudes europeennes" at the universite Libre de
Bruxelles coordinates the dispersed knowledge of Europe, spread over different
faculties of the university. Several sub-centers created a distinct profile in
specific fields or disciplines. Besides ECARE (European Centre for Advanced
Research in Economics), there is CEVIPOL, Centre d'etude de la vie politique, a
cooperation between the Institut d'etudes europeennes and the Faculty of Social,
Political and Economic Sciences. CEVIPOL is involved in the study of political
parties, party programs and ideologies on the (pan) European continent[19].
Some publications: "De la question albanaise au Kosovo" (J.M. De
Waele and Kolë Gjeloshaj, (eds.), Brussels, 1999; "La democratisation en
Europe centrale. La cooperation paneuropeenne des partis politiques" (P.
Delwit and J.M. De Waele, Paris, 1998.
Besides these university institutes, Brussels harbours some European centers,
which established themselves close to the European institutions and which have
European officials and diplomats as their target public. The Centre for European
Policy Studies (CEPS) is a typical example of a research institute, specialising
in policy studies and bringing together diplomats and European officials. SEP
stands for the Study Group for European Policy and although it generally focuses
on EU-matters, it turned in the last years to enlargement problems as well. SEP
is a member of an international network of European institutes and centers:
TEPSA (Trans European Policy Studies Association). This independent network
promotes international research on European integration in order to stimulate
discussion on policies and political options for Europe. TEPSA projects include
research and studies commissioned by the European institutions (Parliament,
Commission, Social and Economic Committee), foundations and national public and
private authorities. These studies address the functioning of the political
system of the Community and its institutions and relations with national and
regional structures. Research is also carried out on several Community policies
such as: the economic and monetary union, Economic and Social Cohesion, Common
Foreign and Security Policy, Justice and Home Affairs, Economic and Social
Policy in the Perspective of Enlargement.
Some publications: Jacques Vandamme (ed.) "Dialogue social et fonction
consultative professionnelle dans la communaute europeenne", Presses
universitaires europeennes, 1993; Paul van den Bempt and Greet Theelen
"From Europe Agreements to Accession. The Integration of the Central and
Eastern European Countries into the European Union", Presses Universitaires
europeennes, Brussels 1996; Achille Hannequart, "Economic and Social
Cohesion in Europe. A New Objective for Integration, Routledge, London and New
York, 1992.
The "Observatoire Social Europeen" (OSE), founded in 1984 is an
information and research centre focussing on the social aspects of European
integration[20]. Its aim is to provide -
especially trade unionists, researchers, politicians, officials, journalists and
students - with analytical data and critical comment relating to the European
Union's activities and policies. The OSE works in three areas in particular:
institutional matters generally, social policy and citizenship, economic and
monetary Union (EMU). An academic scientific committee carefully monitors the
quality of the work of OSE. The Observatoire Social Europeen's monthly four-page
e-letter, focussing on European social news is available on the Web. Recently,
OSE published a working paper on social policy implications of the enlargement:
Cecile BARBIER, "L'elargissement de l'Union europeenne aux pays d'Europe
centrale et orientale", 1999, 28p.
The Royal Institute for International Relations (Koninlijk Instituut voor
Internationale Betrekkingen) is involved in European and international studies
and publishes the review "Studia Diplomatica"[21]. This review publishes regularly on Central and Eastern
Europe, related to international relations and diplomatic issues.
Individual research in the faculties
Individual expertise in Central and Eastern Europe can be found at different
faculties of the Belgian universities.
At the Free University of Brussels, the Flemish counterpart of the Universite
libre de Bruxelles (VUB) Prof. Bruno Coppieters of the Department of Political
Sciences is a specialist in the Caucasus region, especially in problems of
nationalism, state building, secessionism and federalism[22]. He published several books on this issue.
In Slavonic studies, the knowledge of the Balkan countries is quite developed
owing to the special expertise of Prof. R. Detrez, a specialist in the languages
and cultures of South-eastern Europe [23].
Problems of defence and security related to Central and Eastern Europe are
intensively studied by the `Koninklijk Hoger Instituut voor defensie" (KHID)
with its Defensie Studiecentrum and at the royal military academy. One PhD
student (M. Van Bladel) is for example preparing a study on the Russian army.
Prof. Yvan Vanden Berghe of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at
the University of Antwerp has a solid reputation in the field of the history of
the cold war. At the same university, L. Tasmowski is leading a centre for
Romanian studies, focussing on linguistics[24].
Prof. Bergmans, professor of sociology at K.U.Leuven is the Belgian
representative in the Observatoire Social Europeen, which focuses on social
policy in Europe. This research group published a paper on the implication for
social policy of European Union enlargement.
Interuniversitary initiatives
Notwithstanding the general lack of governmental support and the catastrophic
dispersal of people and funds, there are some remarkable inter-university
initiatives. The Belgian Centre for Slavonic Studies, grouping some 20 scholars,
is no longer merely philological and opened up to a broader field of
disciplines. The Belgian Slavonic journal, "Slavica Gandensia", which
is closely related to this center, publishes articles in the field of languages
and literature, with exceptionally some articles related to other disciplines.
The interuniversitary Centre for East European Studies organises since 1978
an MA in East European Studies. This graduate programme, organised with the
financing of the National Fund of Scientific Research, offers a rich
interdisciplinary programme of courses in Central and East European affairs in
the Flemish universities of the country. The group publishes a "Contactblad
Oost-Europakunde". Research between the universities resulted in a book,
honouring Prof. Frits Gorle: P. de Meyere, E. Franckx, J. -M. Henckaerst and K.
Malfliet, "Oost-Europa in Europa. Eenheid en Verscheidenheid" (Eastern
Europe in Europe. Unity and Diversity), 1998, VUBpress, Brussels, 368p.
Both initiatives will have to prove their viability in the future. However,
for the time being they are the only sustainable ways of bringing together
knowledge, people and means in the field of Central and East European Studies.
[9] Professor, Research Director Central and
Eastern Europe, Institute for European Policy, Catholic University Leuven, Van
Evenstraat 2B, B-3000 Leuven, e-mail: katlijn.malfliet@soc.kuleven.ac.be
[10] I would like to express my gratitude to
Dr. Wim Coudenys (Slavonic Studies at K.U.Leuven) for the many pieces of
information he kindly passed to me.
[11] Centre de Recherches
Pluridisciplinaires sur la Transition des Pays de l'Est vers l'Economie de Marché
(CRITEME), Institut de Sociologie, ULB, av. F.D. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels.
[12] Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Sciences Politiques. Licence en Sciences Politiques, orientation relations
internationales. Module de specialisation Europe Centrale et de l'Est (Centre
facultaire de recherches internationales (CERIS) ULB, avenue F.D. Roosevelt,
1050 Brussels.
[13] Russisch Instituut, Sint-Pietersplein
4, 9000 Gent
[14] Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, LICOS,
DeBériotstraat 34, 3000 Leuven; http://www.econ.kuleuven.ac.be/licos/
[15] Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Vakgroep
Internationaal Recht, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel; http://www.vub.ac.be/INTR/
[16] BCE Network, De Warande, Zinnerstraat
1, 1000 Brussel, http://www.bce-network.org/
[17] Katholieke Universiteit Leuven,
Instituut voor Europees Beleid, Van Evenstraat 2B, 3000 Leuven; http://cwisdb.cc.kuleuven.ac.be./onderzoek/T/groep
151115.htm
[18] Universiteit Gent, Europees Instituut,
Universiteitsstraat 4, 9000 Gent; http://www.law.rug.ac.be/europe/index.html
[19] Université Libre de Bruxelles, Centre
d'étude de la vie politique (CEVIPOL), http://www.ulb.ac.be/soco/sevipol/
[20] Observatoire Social Européen: Rue PE
Janson, 1050 Brussels; http://www.ose.be
[21] Koninklijk Instituut voor
Internationale Betrekkingen (Royal Institute for International Relations),
Liefdadigheidsstraat 13, 1210 Brussels. Tel. 02/223.41.14; fax: 02/223.41.16.
[22] Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Politieke
Wetenschappen, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel; http://poli.vub.ac.be
[23] http://www.slavnet.com
[24] Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen,
Departement Politieke en Sociale Wetenschappen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610
Wilrijk; Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Centrum voor Roemeense Studies
(CERES), Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk; http://www.ua.ac.be/nl/onderzoek/index.html.
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