The Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory (IFDT) invites all interested parties to apply for participation in the Fifth Summer School of Social Engagement and Democracy (ANDEM), which will be held from September 2nd to September 6th, 2024, in Sremski Karlovci. The call is intended for students of all levels and study programs, as well as social activists from the country and the region.
What are democratic institutions and how can they be independent? What are the various models of democracy, what is deliberative democracy, and how can it be applied in practice to address issues of public significance? What exactly is meant by the terms common good and public interest? What is the relationship between economic development, well-being, and human flourishing? What challenges do ethnic minorities face, and what should be the relationship between minority and majority groups in society? What is social engagement and what philosophical questions does it raise for us? Is it possible to engage in radical social change today? What is the role of new social movements in the region in creating more solidarity-based societies? What is gender equality and how to analyze the ideological aspects of gender discourse? How to critically engage with health and healthcare systems? How do science, values, and democracy intersect? What are engaged research, engaged literature, and film?
If you are interested in such topics, the ANDEM Summer School offers the opportunity to learn and reflect on them through insights from sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, and philosophy. The goal of the school is to provide theoretical tools for critically thinking about society and for practical engagement towards social change, with a special focus on the meaning and significance of democracy.
Participants of ANDEM will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge on these current topics through lectures, discussions, practical exercises, etc., led by experts in social engagement, activism, participatory democracy, citizenship, philanthropy, philosophy, and critical theory. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge under the mentorship of researchers from IFDT through several elective activities (e.g., organizing panel discussions or creating engaged media content) after completing the school.
ANDEM is organized by IFDT, the leading scientific research institution in this area, which focuses on social engagement at the core of its work. The Senate of the University of Belgrade has established ANDEM as a continuing education program. Participants who attend 75% or more of the lectures will receive a certificate of participation.
The right of participation:
ANDEM is primarily intended for young people – students of all levels and study programs, as well as social activists from the country and the region.
Application:
If you are interested, please send your applications for participation to the email address letnja.skola@ifdt.bg.ac.rs no later than May 31, 2024. Participation in the school is free, and travel expenses and accommodation in Sremski Karlovci will be covered for all participants from the 1st of September in the evening to the 7th September in the morning. The program is conducted in our (BCHS) language.
Application must include:
A filled form (download here)
Applicant biography
A document with answers to the following three questions:
- Why do you want to participate in this school?
- What does engagement mean to you? Why should one engage?
- What is democracy for you and why is it important?
(no more than 100 words per question)
Please do not use artificial intelligence when writing responses.
Important dates:
Application deadline: 31. May 2024.
Notification of candidates about the outcome of the selection process: by June 30, 2024.