Sunday, January 19th, 2025

Luzzu (Malta)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
7:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Harris Theater
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Facutly/Staff-Free)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Union Film Festival

Luzzu (Malta), 2021, 94 MIN
Directed by Alex Camilleri
Maltese language with English subtitles

Hardworking new father Jesmark, played by a real-life Maltese fisherman, must choose between the traditional way of life practiced by his family for generations and an illicit black-market fishing operation in this stunning neorealist tale operating in the tradition of Luchino Visconti, Roberto Rosselini, and the Dardenne brothers.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

Duty of Care, The Climate Trails (Netherlands)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
5:30 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Faculty/Staff-Free)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126579215
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Union Film Festival

Duty of Care, The Climate Trials (Netherlands), 2022, 57 MIN
Directed by Nic Balthazar
Dutch and English language with English subtitles

Duty of Care tells the exclusive inside story of Roger Cox, the first and only lawyer to have successfully sued a government and an oil giant in landmark court cases that established catastrophic climate change can be made illegal. Roger’s ground-breaking cases against the Dutch government and oil major Shell established that those in power owe a duty of care to citizens to avoid catastrophic climate change, stunning legal experts and sending shock-waves through parliaments and corporate boardrooms around the world.

With echoes of the lawsuits against Big Tobacco, this inspirational 55-minute documentary gives viewers a behind-the-scenes experience of the David v. Goliath battle as one Dutch property lawyer turned litigation maverick takes on powerful states and the world’s largest oil company in the courtroom drama of our lifetimes.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

Saturday, January 18th, 2025

Afire (Germany)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
7:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Harris Theater
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Faculty/Staff-Free)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Union Film Festival

Afire (Germany) 2023, 102 MIN
Directed by Christian Petzold
German language with English subtitles

While vacationing by the Baltic Sea, writer Leon (Thomas Schubert) and photographer Felix (Langston Uibel) are surprised by the presence of Nadja (Paula Beer), a mysterious young woman staying as a guest at Felix’s family’s holiday home. Nadja distracts Leon from finishing his latest novel and with brutal honesty, forces him to confront his caustic temperament and self-absorption. As Nadja and Leon grow closer, an encroaching forest fire threatens the group and tensions escalate when a handsome lifeguard and Leon's tight-lipped book editor also arrive.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

Feathers or Glamour (Estonia) + Rewilding (France)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
4:30 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Harris Theater
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Faculty/Staff-Free)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Union Film Festival

Double Feature:
Feathers or Glamour (Estonia), 2023, 28 MIN
Directed by Eva Kübar

Estonian urban chicken “farming.” Chickens as pets in bedazzled diapers. It is a short film.
Estonian language with English subtitles

Rewilding (France) 2018, 52 MIN
Directed by Vincent Perazio

What if we brought back big carnivores throughout Europe, gave them vast areas to reproduce, and rediscovered the past landscapes? This fascinating vision raises many questions, though. Should we not focus on the existing natural heritage? How could we implement it in modern and densely populated countries? What would the risk to human activity be? This film is a unique opportunity to look at both sides of the coin. It also profiles the wildlife resurgence happening on European doorsteps, with many species now coming back thanks to legal protection and dedicated conservation efforts over the last 30 years.
French language with English subtitles.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

Next to Nothing/Tyle Co Nic (Poland)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
2:30 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Harris Theater
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Facutly/Staff-Free)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Union Film Festival

Next to Nothing/Tyle Co Nic (Poland), 2024, 93 MIN
Directed by Grzegorz Debowski
Polish language with English subtitles

A group of farmers organized a protest in front of the house of an MP who, contrary to previous promises, voted against their interests. At the same time, the body of one of the local farmers is found. Everyone suspects the leader of the protest, Jarek, even though the deceased was his closest friend. The man begins his own investigation, which leads him to find out the true causes of the deceased's death and, at the same time, verifies the attitudes of people around him.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

Friday, January 17th, 2025

The Animal Kingdom (France)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
7:30 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Harris Theater
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Faculty/Staff-Free)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Film Festival

The Animal Kingdom (France), 2023, 128 MIN
Directed by Thomas Cailley
French language with English subtitles

Opening Feature Film:

In The Animal Kingdom, a visionary new thriller that drops viewers into an extraordinary world where mutations in human genetics cause people to transform into hybrid creatures, François (Roman Duris) does everything he can to save his wife, who is affected by this mysterious condition. As some of the creatures disappear into a nearby forest, François embarks with Emile (Paul Kircher), their 16-year-old son, on a quest to find her with help from a local police officer (Adèle Exarchopoulos). From acclaimed director Thomas Cailley, the film world premiered as the opening night selection of Cannes Un Certain Regard.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

Feathers or Glamour (Estonia) + Rewilding (France)
Climate Response, Hope and Chickens!
Time:
5:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Avenue
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Department of German, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Harris Theater
Cost:
$9.00- $11.00 (Pitt Students/Faculty/Staff-Free Admission)
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

2025 European Union Film Festival

Double Feature:

Feathers or Glamour (Estonia), 2023, 28 MIN
Directed by Eva Kübar
Estonian language with English subtitles

Estonian urban chicken “farming.” Chickens as pets in bedazzled diapers. It is a short film.

Rewilding (France) 2018, 52 MIN
Directed by Vincent Perazio
French language with English subtitles

What if we brought back big carnivores throughout Europe, gave them vast areas to reproduce, and rediscovered the past landscapes? This fascinating vision raises many questions, though. Should we not focus on the existing natural heritage? How could we implement it in modern and densely populated countries? What would the risk to human activity be? This film is a unique opportunity to look at both sides of the coin. It also profiles the wildlife resurgence happening on European doorsteps, with many species now coming back thanks to legal protection and dedicated conservation efforts over the last 30 years.

Pitt Students/Faculty and Staff: Free Admission with a valid Pitt ID
General Admission: $9.00 (Students/Seniors) and $11.00 (Regular)

What is DEIB, Anyway, and How Does it Connect to Pitt’s Global Mission?
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly Mcsweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office along with Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Join Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Clyde Pickett and a member of the student community, with the UCIS DEIB Manager serving as moderator, for a thought-provoking discussion about the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in advancing Pitt’s global mission. This event will explore the future of DEI work in the context of a shifting national political landscape and its impact on fostering an inclusive and globally engaged university community.

This event is part of the University Center for International Studies' "Unpacking the Buzzwords" mini-series and is generously supported by a grant from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Språkcafé (Swedish Speaking Club)
Time:
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Presenter:
Anna Sukhanova
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Anna Sukhanova
Contact Email:
ans1051@pitt.edu

Swedish Speaking Club is a space for practicing Swedish and deepening cultural understanding alongside others who are learning.

Tavola Italiana
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu

Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!

Wednesday, January 15th, 2025

German Club at Pitt
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Riley Hesbacher
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with German Club
Contact:
Riley Hesbacher
Contact Email:
RJH123@pitt.edu

Join the German Club on Wednesdays during Spring semester for conversational meetings and to practice German speaking and listening skills.

FLAS Information and Drop in Session
Time:
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
UCIS Advisors
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and Global Hub

The event starts by 4-5pm which begins with the information session for interested candidates of the FLAS Fellowship. Here, a recap of what the fellowship is about and any further information needed would be passed to the attendees. Then from 5-6pm would be the drop in session where they can ask questions to current Fellows and UCIS Staff present regrading their on-going application as the FLAS fellowship deadline in February 17th 2025.

FLAS Information Drop-In Session (Spring 2025)
Time:
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location:
Global Hub, 1st Floor, Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with University Center for International Studies (UCIS)
Contact:
Elaine Linn
Contact Phone:
+14126482113
Contact Email:
eel58@pitt.edu

Get paid for pursuing proficiency of a less commonly taught languages while at Pitt! Learn about submitting a competitive FLAS application (deadline: February 17) and chat with UCIS advisors about any questions you may have about the application process. Pizza Served!

Tuesday, January 14th, 2025

Spring 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Monday, January 13th, 2025

Espresso Yourself: Romance Language Coffeehouse
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Haiwei Hu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies, European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Haiwei Hu
Contact Email:
haiwei.hu@pitt.edu

Join Brazil Nuts (Luso-Brazilian Student Association) for coffee, light snacks, and a chance to learn basic conversational skills in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Friday, January 10th, 2025

European and Eurasian Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025 - Call for Proposals
Time:
(All day)
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and European Studies Center along with University Center for International Studies; Graduate Organization for the Study of Europe and Central Asia (GOSECA); Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies (CERIS); Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Contact:
Zita Toth-Shawgo
Contact Phone:
412-648-4433
Contact Email:
zita.toth-shawgo@pitt.edu

Monday, January 6th, 2025

ValEUs: European Values in the Eu's Developmental, Energy and Climate Policies
Time:
10:15 am to 11:45 am
Presenter:
Randall Halle
Location:
Zoom
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and European Studies Center

Join our upcoming ValEUs Lecture on “European Values in the EU´s Developmental, Energy and Climate Policies” with Randall Halle. Halle directs the European Studies Center and is a Klaus W. Jonas Professor of German Film and Cultural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

The event is organised by the Institute for European Studies of the European University Viadrina (IFES) as a collaboration between its Talk Series “Human & Planet” and the “ValEUs Lecture Series”.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Meeting ID: 686 8217 1250
Passcode: 756487

Tuesday, December 10th, 2024

Conversations on Europe: Economics of Climate Response
Year of Sustainability
Time:
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

Moderator: Randall Halle, University of Pittsburgh

Panelist/s:
Phoebe Koundouri, University of Cambridge
Max Koch, University of Lund
Maša Ocvirk, Global Europe Program, Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars

Description:
This Conversation on Europe will look at the economics of climate response. Growth or degrowth, clean investment or circular consumption, modernization or renovation: what are the European routes toward sustainability? From a Transatlantic perspective, what are the best economic practices in climate response?

About the Panelists:
Phoebe Koundouri: She holds an MPhil and a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge and holds academic positions at the University of Cambridge, University College London, the University of Reading, and the London School of Economics. She has published 18 books and more than 600 scientific papers, including publications in Nature, the Lancet, and top-ranked economics, econometrics, and sustainability science journals. She co-edited several prestigious academic journals, including Nature: Climate Action and Environmental and Resources Economics. She organized numerous international scientific conferences, supervised more than 30 PhD students, and gave keynote speeches and public lectures across the world. In 2019, she was elected President of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) the biggest scientific association in the field, with more than 1500 member institutions, from more than 75 countries and she is now chairing the World Council of Environmental and Natural Resource Economists Associations (WCERE). In 2022 she received the prestigious European Research Council Synergy Grant, and in 2023, she was awarded the Academy of Athens Award for Scientific Excellence.

Max Koch is Professor of Social Policy and Sustainability at Lund University, Sweden. He currently leads the interdisciplinary projects Postgrowth Welfare Systems and Economic Elites in the Climate Change Transformation: Practices, justifications and regulations of unsustainable lifestyles in Sweden. He has published widely on degrowth and sustainable welfare, mainly with focus on European societies.

Maša Ocvirk is the Program Coordinator for the Global Europe Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Originally from Slovenia, she has previously served as the Representative of the Slovenian National Assembly to the European Parliament in Brussels, among other things working on the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2021. Before that she worked as an advisor for the Committees on EU Affairs and Foreign Policy at the Slovenian National Assembly. Next to fostering transatlantic relations, her research interests include the EU as a Global Actor, EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, EU reform, EU enlargement, and relations with the Western Balkans.

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs and Office of International Services
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

20th Annual High School Model European Union
Time:
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Location:
William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence and Global Studies Center
Contact:
Samantha Moik
Contact Email:
smm302@pitt.edu

The High School Model European Union is an annual event for area high school students. The goal of the Model EU is to give high school students a chance to learn about the workings of the European Union through a hands-on simulation. Playing the roles of presidents and prime ministers, students spend a day engaged in intense negotiations over conflicting issues about the EU. The objective is to simulate a specific European Council meeting that focuses on recent current events impacting the EU. Model EU enhances students’ understanding of classroom learning and gives them a real sense of the challenges involved in the decision-making process of the European Union.

Thursday, December 5th, 2024

El Día de las Velitas
Time:
7:00 pm
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for Latin American Studies, European Studies Center, Global Hub and Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs along with Pitt Spanish Club and Hispanic and Latinx Professional Association (HLPA)

El Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) is a beloved Colombian tradition celebrated on the night of December 7th. While it originally honors the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception, today it’s a joyful community celebration enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. Families and neighborhoods light thousands of candles and lanterns, filling the streets with beautiful light displays. It marks the start of the Holiday season, bringing people together to celebrate with music, food, and festive cheer. El Día de las Velitas is a symbol of hope, unity, and warmth, a tradition that lights up both the streets and hearts of Colombians across the country. Join us, learn about this celebration, and help us decorate our Holiday trellis that will be on displayed at the Global Hub. Follow easy instructions to create ornaments inspired by different countries from Colombia ,Mexico, Denmark, Japan or write Happy Holidays in any language. There will be a catalog of flags from around the world to paint a flag of your choice. Help us decorate and create a new tradition at the Global Hub.

40th Anniversary Holiday Party Celebration
Time:
5:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
WESLEY W. POSVAR HALL ROOM 4130
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
free
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
eee36@pitt.edu

COME CELEBRATE AS WE CLOSE OUR 40 YEARS OF CELEBRATION FOR THE EUROPEAN STUDIES CENTER.

RSVP by Dec 1, 2024

Eurasian Environments in Global Context
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Presenter:
Eve Darian Smith
Location:
Zoom
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center and Global Studies Center

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently predicted that global average temperatures will rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels in the mid-2030s. Over the last decades, a global network of scholars, policy makers, activists, and others have organized to offer ways to mitigate and even reverse the effects of climate change. What offramps can these solutions and movements offer our collective humanity?

“Eurasian Environments” seeks to provide some reflections to mark the UN’s 2024 Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. This series will examine social justice and sustainability efforts to address climate change by putting scholars of Eurasia in conversation with their peers specializing on Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The series will comprise six events that will illuminate the challenges and possible solutions to climate change in Eurasia in regional and global contexts.

This event is part of the Eurasian Environments: Climate Justice and Sustainability in Global Context series.

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024

Pitt in DC-Brussels Info Session
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Location:
810 William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Experiences Office

Come by the Global Experiences Office to learn about the summer 2025 program in DC-Brussels.

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers

Thursday, November 21st, 2024

IFES Lunch Lecture: Why did Trump win (at such scale)?
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Randall Halle and Sascha Münnich
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Europa-Universität Viadrina
Cost:
free
Contact:
Randall Halle
Contact Email:
rhalle@pitt.edu

Lunch Lecture: Why did Trump win (at such scale)?

The Viadrina Institute for European Studies (IFES) invites you to the following event as part of the Lunch Lectures series:

Sascha Münnich (EUV) in conversation with Randall Halle (Pittsburgh).

The result of the presidential election in the USA was in some ways to be expected and yet it came as a shock to many people: How was Donald Trump able to prevail against Kamala Harris by such a clear margin? What factors explain this popular support and, above all, what failures or mistakes by the ruling Democratic Party and its campaign strategy could have contributed to this outcome?

Sascha Münnich and Randall Halle will discuss these questions with each other and with the audience from a social and cultural science perspective and analyse them on the basis of current surveys and their experiences on the ground: What can we learn from this election, including for the future of Europe?

The discussion will be held in English, questions can be asked in German.

Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

International Experiences, Funding, and Best Practices for Success
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Location:
3431 Posvar
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA)

Are you a graduate student looking to broaden your international experience? Join us for “International Experiences, Funding, and Best Practices for Success”—an interactive session designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate global opportunities confidently. This event will feature insights from Emmy at GSPIA, a representative from the Nationality Rooms, and current students who have successfully pursued international internships.

From funding strategies to real-world experiences, you’ll learn essential tips for making the most of your graduate studies abroad. Whether you’re just starting to explore international paths or looking for practical advice to take the next step, this session has something for everyone.

Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

Beyond the Ballot: Voices of Concern: How are Europe’s youth expressing their dissatisfaction with the state of democracy?
Time:
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Wesley W. Posvar, Room 4217
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
free
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
eee36@pitt.edu

Beyond the Ballot: Europe's Democratic Journey Lecture Series:

As the European Union faces complex challenges, from rising populism to economic uncertainty, the role of youth in shaping its future has never been more critical. This panel brings together experts to explore how the EU can better engage its youth in democratic processes. We will examine current participation trends, the barriers young people face in political involvement, and innovative approaches to fostering civic engagement across diverse communities.

This discussion will be held with two panelists:
Albena Azmanova from the University of Kent
James Sloam, Royal Holloway, University of London

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Friday, November 15th, 2024

Student Showcase
Landscapes: Nature, Culture, Climate Change
Time:
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
WPU Lower Lounge
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Department of German, Film and Media Studies Program, Mascaro Center for Sustainability and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Washington
Contact:
Sadine Von Dirke
Contact Email:
https://www.german.pitt.edu

Come and celebrate our students' research projects who are enrolled in GER 101-202 (beginner to intermediate levels)

Light refreshments will be served!

Thursday, November 14th, 2024

Creating A Competitive Application For FLAS
Time:
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
UCIS Advisors
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and Global Hub

Join us for an informative session on the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship, an excellent funding opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students who are committed to language study and international expertise. This session is designed to help students understand the application process, benefits, and unique experiences that come with being a FLAS Fellow.  A great opportunity to ask questions and get advice directly from fellows. 

Tuesday, November 12th, 2024

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs and Office of International Services
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Monday, November 11th, 2024

Cycles of Hate: The EU’s Combating Antisemitism Policy from 2015 till today
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:15 pm
Presenter:
Carolyn Dudek
Location:
William Pitt Union, Lower Level
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Department of French and Italian, Department of History, Department of Religious Studies, Jewish Studies Program and Center for Black European Studies and the Atlantic at Carnegie Mellon University
Cost:
free
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

Unmasking Prejudice: Confronting Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Racism Across Europe Lecture Series:

Although antisemitism was on the rise across Europe since 2001, the EU ignored the issue. In 2015, however, the tide seemed to change when the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, formed a coordinators office to combat antisemitism. In 2021, the office created the first ever strategy to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish life. This presentation will examine why and how the EU created a policy focusing on antisemitism and some of the policy tools the EU possesses to address antisemitism. The EU strategy attempts to address antisemitism with both preventative measures and actions to address antisemitism when it occurs. Although not created distinctly to address antisemitism, the EU has other legal underpinnings that provide a framework within which the EU can address antisemitism. After October 7th and the rise of antisemitic incidences in Europe, it begs the question what measures if any can the EU really implement? We will explore the possibilities and limitations of the EU’s policy and its influence on its member states.

Carolyn M. Dudek, Ph.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Director of European Studies at Hofstra University in New York. She received her Master and Ph. D. at the University of Pittsburgh. She has written extensively on the EU across various policy sectors. Her current work is focused on EU antidiscrimination policy with a particular focus on antisemitism. She is currently the grant writer and coordinator for an ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet Module at Hofstra University, which is focused on EU anti-discrimination and hate crime policy, and she was recently awarded a Jean Monnet Chair to further her research. She is currently writing a monograph about the EU’s antisemitism policy.

Sunday, November 10th, 2024

PolishFest 2024
Time:
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location:
Cathedral Commons Room
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs and UCIS Engagement along with Polish Nationality Room

The 42nd Annual Polishfest is designed to give everyone an opportunity to experience the living Polish, Lithuanian, Hungarian, and Carpatho-Rusyn cultures

The 42nd Annual Polishfest is designed to give the festival guests, families, and students an opportunity to experience the living cultures of the Polish, Lithuanian and Carpatho-Rusyn Peoples that throughout history were joined, separated and independently are connected. A living legacy presented to teach, to experience, to taste, to try and to have fun.

This family-oriented event is FREE to everyone and will include many activities such as Polish name writing; Lithuanian angel papercutting demonstration; pierogi / pirohy cooking demonstrations and samples; and Carpatho-Rusyn spinning and lace making; and a pierogi toss.

Every display, demonstration, and activity will offer an explanation of the cultural history of the tradition.

Entertainment will include Polish folk songs with a violinist; a Lithuanian choir with Bocjai folk songs; Polish Karazula folk songs and folk dancing by the “Lajkoniki” Ensemble; Polka dancing; and contemporary Polish music.

In-Person event

Pittsburgh Polski Film Festival: Row House Cinema Day 3
Kiler- 1997and Scarborn (Kos)
Time:
(All day)
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Row House Cinema
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh
Contact:
maria staszkiewicz
Contact Email:
pccorg.ms@gmail.com

This event is a three-day Polish film festival at Row House Cinema, running from November 8-10, 2024.

@ 2:45pm - Kiler 1997 dir. Juliusz Machulski, Jerzy Stuhr retrospective
104 min. Polish with English subtitles
An innocent cab driver named Jurek Kiler is mistaken for a contract killer and imprisoned. Soon, he is hired by the mafia to kill a gangster (comedy).

@ 5:00 pm - Scarborn (Kos) 2023 dir. Paweł Maślona
118 min. Polish with English subtitles
The movie is set in 1794 and follows General Kosciuszko’s rebellion plan against the Russians in Poland. Winner of the Best Film award at the Gdynia Film Festival

Tickets will be available at the movie theaters website & box office
https://rowhousecinemas.com/lawrenceville/

Saturday, November 9th, 2024

Pittsburgh Polski Film Festival: Row House Cinema Day 2
Big Animal (Duże zwierzę), Girl with the Needle (Dziewczyna z igłą)
Time:
3:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Row House Cinema
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh
Contact:
maria staszkiewicz
Contact Email:
pccorg.ms@gmail.com

This event is a three-day Polish film festival at Row House Cinema, running from November 8-10, 2024.

@ 3:00 pm - Big Animal (Duże zwierzę) 2004 dir. Jerzy Stuhr
80min Polish with subtitles

Left behind by a circus, a camel wanders to the house of a middle-aged couple. The wife is initially bewildered by the strange animal, her husband immediately adopts it as a pet.

@ 5:00 pm - Girl with the Needle (Dziewczyna z igłą) 2024 dir. Magnus von Horn
Denmark-Poland-Sweden, Danish with English subtitles, 115 min.

Karoline, a young factory worker, is struggling to survive in post WWI Copenhagen. When she finds herself unemployed, abandoned and pregnant, she meets a charismatic woman running an underground adoption agency.

The film was selected to compete at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and was chosen as the Danish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.

Tickets will be available at the movie theaters website & box office
https://rowhousecinemas.com/lawrenceville/

Friday, November 8th, 2024

Global Migrations: Political, Economic, and Climatic Changes Faculty PD Conference
Time:
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center and Global Studies Center along with Reinhardt University and Georgia Consortium
Contact:
Global Studies Center
Contact Phone:
412-648-5085
Contact Email:
global@pitt.edu

Please join us on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 8:30 am-3:30 pm ET for this FREE online faculty professional development conference that will explore the topic of migration today through the lens of politics, economics, and climatic changes. The day's schedule will be comprised of four presenters who will each address the topic through different globally thematic and regional perspectives. A Zoom meeting link will be emailed to registrants one week before the conference and again the day before the conference.

Register at: https://tinyurl.com/GlobalMigrationsConference

Pittsburgh Polski Film Festival: Row House Cinema
Big Animal (Duże zwierzę), Doppelgänger (Sobowtór)
Time:
(All day)
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Row House Cinema
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh
Contact:
maria staszkiewicz
Contact Email:
pccorg.ms@gmail.com

This event is a three-day Polish film festival at Row House Cinema, running from November 8-10, 2024.

@ 4:30 pm - Big Animal (Duże zwierzę) 2004 dir. Jerzy Stuhr
80min Polish with English subtitles
Left behind by a circus, a camel wanders to the house of a middle-aged couple. The wife is initially bewildered by the strange animal, her husband immediately adopts it as a pet.

@ 6:30 pm - Doppelgänger (Sobowtór) 2023 dir. Jan Holoubek
115 min, in Polish & German with English subtitles,Apteka Restaurant reception.

A psychological thriller set in the late 1970s- the spy with the stolen identity from the Polish People’s Republic was sent to the West. Winner of multiple awards at the Gdynia Film Festival.

Tickets will be available at the movie theaters website & box office
https://rowhousecinemas.com/lawrenceville/

Thursday, November 7th, 2024

Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs Scholarships Info Session
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs and Global Experiences Office

Explore the World with a Summer Study Abroad Scholarship! Join the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs' Scholarships Info Session!

Dreaming of an unforgettable summer adventure abroad? We're here to make it happen! Discover your opportunity to study abroad with the help of scholarships at our Summer Study Abroad Scholarships Info Session.

What You'll Gain from Our Info Session:
Scholarship Insights: Learn about various scholarships for summer global experience.
Application Tips: Get expert advice on crafting a compelling scholarship application.
Destinations Galore: Explore exciting study abroad destinations and programs available.
Q&A Session: Ask your burning questions and get answers from experienced advisors.

Don't miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime! Secure your spot at our Summer Study Abroad Scholarships Info Session and embark on a transformative journey that will broaden your horizons and enrich your life. Your global adventure begins here!

In-Person event

Wednesday, November 6th, 2024

35th Anniversary Fall of the Berlin Wall
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence and Global Hub
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

The night of 9 November 1989 changed the world. This evening happened as a link in a global chain of events. On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, come talk with our panelists about how it impacted them and the world we live in.

Eat pizza and discuss with Randall Halle (moderator), Stephen Brockmann (CMU), Max Trecker, Dániel Mikecz, Sabine Von Dirke, and Nancy Condee.

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Tuesday, October 29th, 2024

Global Migrations: Economic, Political, and Climatic Changes K-12 educator workshop
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Cindy McNulty, Catherine Fratto
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and UCIS Engagement
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Veronica Dristas
Contact Email:
dristas@pitt.edu

This free online K-12 educator workshop will explore the topic of migration today through the global lens of politics, economics, and climatic changes. Using modern-day migration case studies, the presenters will share content and pedagogical strategies to help introduce or extend current study of the topic of migration in the classroom. ACT 48 hours will be provided for PA educators as well as resources and materials for classroom use.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuIxxUUHUwPIU_2ORCn_ER4fphIRUF...

Career Talk and Lunch with Christopher Budick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Legislative Affairs, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Union Center of Excellence and European Union Studies Association
Contact:
Steve Lund
Contact Email:
slund@pitt.edu

Please come join us for this Career Talk with
Christopher Budick, Deputy Assistant of the Secretary Office of Legislative Affairs, U.S. Department of the Treasury

This Career Talk session is for students interested in national security, economic sanctions, congressional affairs, illicit finance, or working at the Treasury Department.

Lunch will be provided. RSVP by 10/25/2024 to Steve Lund at slund@pitt.edu.

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Career Talk: Lunch with Christopher Burdick
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Time:
12:00 pm
Presenter:
Steve Lund
Location:
Wesley W. Posvar, Room 4217
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Steve Lund
Contact Email:
slund@pitt.edu

Christopher Burdick is the Senior Advisor at the U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Come sit and have lunch with Christopher Burdick. Hear his expertise working as a senior advisor and ask questions in relation to government and policy.

Career Talk with ESC Alums: From Treasury to Liechtenstein, from FEMA to Nuclear Security
Time:
4:00 am to 5:00 am
Location:
Wesley W. Posvar, Room 4130
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
free
Contact:
Steve Lund
Contact Email:
slund@pitt.edu

From personal stories to expert tips, this session with European Studies Center alumni will provide you with insight and strategies for successfully seeking government and policy-oriented jobs in the DC area.

Speakers:

Christopher Burdick, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury
Carrie Nilsson, Supervisory Program Analyst at FEMA, with previous experience at the Departments of State and Defense
Matthew Keller, Senior Advisor for the Embassy of Liechtenstein
Kathleen Brett, NNSA Graduate Fellow, NA-122.4 at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Sunday, October 27th, 2024

Pittsburgh Polski Film Festival: Day 3
Mensch and Camera Buff
Time:
(All day)
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh
Contact:
maria staszkiewicz
Contact Email:
pccorg.ms@gmail.com

This event is a three-day Polish film festival at the Harris Theater, running from October 25-26, 2024.

@ 1:30 pm - Mensch (2024) documentary dir. Paweł Wysoczański
80 min. Polish with subtitles

Fascinating life of Ludwik Hirszfeld, an eminent 20th century Polish bacteriologist and immunologist, who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1950.

@ 4:00 pm - Camera Buff (Amator) 1979 dir Krzysztof Kieślowski, Jerzy Stuhr retrospective
112 min. Polish withEnglish subtitles.

The film is about a humble factory worker whose newfound hobby, amateur film, becomes an obsession, and transforms his modest life. Awarded at the Polish Film Festival, the FIPRESCI Prize, and at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Tickets will be available at the movie theaters website & box office
https://trustarts.org/pct_home/visit/facilities/harris-theater

Saturday, October 26th, 2024

Pittsburgh Polski Film Festival: Day 2
Kulej. All that glitters isn’t gold, Top Dog (Wodzirej), White Courage (Biała odwaga)
Time:
(All day)
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Polish Cultural Council
Contact:
maria staszkiewicz
Contact Email:
pccorg.ms@gmail.com

This event is a three-day Polish film festival at the Harris Theater, running from October 25-26, 2024.

1:00pm - Kulej. All that glitters isn’t gold (Kulej. Dwie Strony Medalu) 2024 dir. Xawery Żuławski,
148 min. Polish with English subtitles
A biopic about Jerzy Kulej, a two-time Olympic boxing champion and one of Poland’s greatest fighters.

4:00pm - Top Dog (Wodzirej) 1978 dir. Feliks Falk, Jerzy Stuhr retrospective.
104 min. Polish with English subtitles
Top Dog is a character study of an opportunist named Lutek who is a small-time event host working at parties. he’s also a sleaze and con man. An ironic look at a climber. Film won an award at the 1979 Chicago International Film Festival.

6:00pm - White Courage (Biała odwaga) 2024 dir. Marcin Koszałka
115 min Polish with English subtitles
Film explores a lesser-known aspect of World War II history – the collaboration of some highlanders from Poland’s Podhale region with the Nazis. The story of two brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of a moral and ideological conflict. Winner of the Best director and screenplay at Gdynia Film Festival.

Tickets will be available at the movie theaters website & box office
https://trustarts.org/pct_home/visit/facilities/harris-theater

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Polski Film – Multi Kino- Feast of Fire (Święto Ognia)
Time:
7:00 pm
Presenter:
Dir. Kinga Dębska
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
European Union Center of Excellence and European Union Studies Association

Opening Reception

94 min. Polish with English subtitles

Two sisters struggle with their bodies. One, pushed by her ambition, is testing where her body’s limits are, the other one sees her own body as a prison.
At the Gdynia Film Festival Paulina Pytlak received Best New Actress award and Kinga Preiss Best Supporting Actress.

Pittsubugh Polski Film: Kulej. All that glitters isn’t gold
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
dir. Xawery Żuławski
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
European Union Center of Excellence and European Union Studies Association along with Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh
Contact:
Maria Staszkiewicz, Executive Director Polish Cultural Council
Contact Email:
pccorg.ms@gmail.com

148 min. Polish with English subtitles

A biopic about Jerzy Kulej, a two-time Olympic boxing champion and one of Poland's greatest fighters.

Thursday, October 24th, 2024 to Saturday, October 26th, 2024

ISSS-IS Conference 2024
Thought, Theory, and Policy in the Contemporary International Security Environment
Time:
(All day)
Presenter:
Various
Location:
Pittsburgh, PA
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center and Global Studies Center
Contact:
Ryan Grauer
Contact Email:
grauer@pitt.edu

The annual ISSS-IS Conference will be held at the University of Pittsburgh from October 24th through October 26th. With participants representing 27 countries, the conference features 38 panels on topics ranging from the use of nuclear weapons to gender warmaking to the strengths and weaknesses of international law to the role of traditional and new media in contemporary international security environment. This conference will feature several panels on security problems in and around Latin America, Africa, Russia and Eastern Europe, and Asia. More than 150 individual papers will be presented over the case of two days.

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024

Beyond the Ballot: Democratizing the EU: Is there a need for institutional reform?
Time:
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Location:
Wesley W. Posvar, Room 4217
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

Beyond the Ballot: Europe's Democratic Journey:

The panelists will facilitate a discussion about the history of the EU, and its efforts to increase its democratic credentials. Beginning with the first direct elections to the European Parliament (EP) in 1979 and with every Treaty reform since Maastricht, new sources of democratic legitimacy have been introduced. Yet, the notion of the EU’s democratic deficit persists, with citizens demanding greater democratic accountability of EU institutions and of the decision-making process.

Join us as we take stock of EU democracy and consider ways to alleviate both the real and perceived deficits that exist.

About the Panelists:
Manuel Müller is a Senior Research Fellow in the European Union research programme. His research focuses mainly on institutional reform of the EU and supranational democracy.
Christine Neuhold is a Professor of EU Democratic Governance and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Maastricht University, Netherlands.

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers

Monday, October 21st, 2024

Europe’s Other Jew and Muslim: Past and Present
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Presenter:
Farid Hafez
Location:
Wesley W. Posvar, Room 4130
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Deitrich School of Arts and Sciences, Department of French and Italian, Department of History, Department of Religious Studies, Jewish Studies Program and Center for Black European Studies and the Atlantic at Carnegie Mellon University
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

Unmasking Prejudice: Confronting Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Racism Across Europe Lecture Series

Lecture led by Farid Hafez daily politics, antisemitism and Islamophobia are often debated as two opposing concepts, though they have much in common. This talk delves into often neglected relationships of anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim racism and opens up horizons for a critical discussion about these phenomena.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Hafez is an Assistant Teaching Professor of International Relations. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Vienna (2009). From 2014 to 2021, he was a Post-Doc at the University of Salzburg’s Department of Political Science and Sociology. From 2021 to 2024, he was the Distinguished Class of 1955 Visiting Professor of International Studies at Williams College. In 2017, he was a Fulbright Professor at the University of California’s Center for Race and Gender. Since 2017, he has also been a non-resident Senior Researcher at the Georgetown University’s The Bridge Initiative.
At William & Mary, Hafez will start to teach classes on far-right populism, Islamophobia, international relations, and terrorism.

Thursday, October 17th, 2024

Bis hierhin und wie weiter? / Stick together?
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Presenter:
Directed by: Felix Maria Buhler
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Department of German, Film and Media Studies Program, Mascaro Center for Sustainability and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Washington
Contact:
Sadine Von Dirke
Contact Email:
https://www.german.pitt.edu

Germany on Campus: Fall 2024
Sustainability and Climate Change: Environmentalism in Germany

Documentary with English Subtitles.

See how 5 young German climate activist tries to bring about change and how their solidarity helps them come through setbacks in their struggle.

Monday, October 14th, 2024

2024 AIU Social Studies Symposium. A Confluence of Concepts!
Time:
8:00 am
Location:
Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center and Global Studies Center
Contact:
Veronica Dristas
Contact Email:
dristas@pitt.edu

The 2024 AIU Social Studies Symposium with the theme “A Confluence of Concepts “is geared toward K-12 Social Studies educators. The event brings together teachers from western Pennsylvania to share resources, opportunities, and research for the benefit of students. The conference features 35-minute PowerTalk’s from educators, curriculum providers and community organizations to stimulate thinking about the best ways to engage students in learning historical thinking concepts.

Friday, October 11th, 2024

What is a Movie Theater? A Master Class with Veljko Vidak
Time:
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location:
Cathedral of Learning-B10
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Film and Media Studies Program
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Will Zavala
Contact Email:
wzavala@pitt.edu

Veljko approaches the question through his experience of making Cinema Laika and living in a small Finnish community (Veljko is Croatian and lives in France). The talk will explore how cultural spaces like movie theaters contribute to local identity and social cohesion.
Veljko will reveal how he constructed this documentary with elements of fiction, resulting in a form that could be called <> (Fiction of the Real). He's also got stories to tell of sharing a construction site with the master of Finnish cinema, Aki Kaurismaki (Fallen Leaves)

If you missed the Thursday screening, no worries. He'll show plenty of excerpts from the film.

Coffee, Tea, and La Gourmandine Treats will be served.

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Cinema Laika
Time:
7:30 pm
Presenter:
Veljko Vidak
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Film and Media Studies Program and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Contact:
Randall Halle
Contact Email:
rhalle@pitt.edu

With filmmaker Veljko Vidak in attendance! Following Q&A with Vidak, we'll screen ARIEL (1988) by Aki Kaurismäki.

In a small village in Finland, which has relied solely on metallurgical activities for the past two centuries, Aki Kaurismäki and his friend, the poet and writer Mika Lätti, are constructing their own cinema within an old foundry. Employing recycled wood, metal, and pre-owned furniture, Kaurismäki and the residents of Karkkila collaboratively craft Kino Laika. The venue is surrounded by Cadillacs, motorcycles, rock bars, and the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, encapsulating the very essence of cinema’s enchantment – a place where the magic resides in its profound capacity to instigate change.

In chronicling the creation of Kino Laika, Croatian-French filmmaker Veljko Vidak has created a modest yet finely-crafted film that is simultaneously a documentary about a particular cultural project, a more wide-ranging filmic meditation on the nature of cinema, and a portrait of a small-town community. Transcending the usual documentary trappings, CINEMA LAIKA radiates a deadpan charm and bemused curiosity about humanity that calls to mind nothing so much as the work of Kaurismäki himself.

Ariel
Time:
7:30 pm
Presenter:
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Randall Halle
Contact Email:
rhalle@pitt.edu

With filmmaker Veljko Vidak in attendance! Following Q&A with Vidak, we'll screen ARIEL (1988) by Aki Kaurismäki.

Following the film, Cinema Laika,

In Kaurismäki’s drolly existential crime drama, a coal miner named Taisto attempts to leave behind a provincial life of inertia and economic despair, only to get into ever deeper trouble. Yet a minor-key romance with a hilariously dispassionate meter maid might provide a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. ARIEL, which boasts a terrific soundtrack of Finnish tango and Baltic pop music and lovely cinematography by Kaurismäki’s longtime cameraman Timo Salmimen, put its director on the international map.

Show your Pitt ID at the door for discounted admission.

International Careers Toolkit: Preparing a Competitive Application for Professional Programs
Time:
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Charmaine McCall (School of Law), Nancy Glynn (School of Public Health), Michaela Cushing-Daniels (PhD Student GSPIA), and Ruel Beresford (PhD Student Epidemiology)
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and Global Hub

Learn the key strategies to crafting a standout application from current professionals and faculty who've successfully navigated the process. With personal insights and expert advice, this session will give you the competitive edge you need to secure your spot in a leading professional program.

Tuesday, October 8th, 2024

Bohemia, Prague, and Franz Kafka: Intercultural Contexts in Central Europe
Time:
5:30 pm
Presenter:
Dr. Steffen Höhne
Location:
Cathedral of Learning, CL 149 (French room)
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence and Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs along with Department of Political Science, Department of German, Department of History, Jewish Studies Program, Center for Governance & markets and intercultural exchnage programs
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Amy Diana Colin,
Contact Email:
paxpeace@pitt.edu

The lecture by Prof. Dr. Steffen Höhne, "Bohemia, Prague, and Franz Kafka – Intercultural Contexts in Central Europe," will explore Franz Kafka's work in relation to the cultural and political dynamics of Bohemia and Prague. The event will also include a discussion with students from Prof. Dr. Amy Colin's Kafka seminar.

Conversations on Europe: Legal Battles Against Ecocide: Civil Society Climate Initiatives and the Judicial System
Year of Sustainability
Time:
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu

Description: Join in a conversation on criminalization of climate activists and their day in court with legal scholar Veronica Federico, Attorney Gaëlle Cognet, and one of the successful Swiss Climate Activists, Elsbeth Stern.

9 April 2024 the European Court of Human Rights decided in favor of the “Climate Grannies” that the Swiss Government had failed to meet its climate responsibilities and, therefore, violated their human rights. The case set global legal precedent. It will have impact for years to come. In a world where 80% of the people want more action from their governments on climate change, the case’s success highlights too how the courts increasingly play a central role in the sustainability movement.

Moderator: Randall Halle, University of Pittsburgh

Panelists:
Gaëlle Cognet, Ashurst LLP
Veronica Federico, University of Florence
Elisabeth Stern, Board Member, Klima Seniorinnen

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Friday, October 4th, 2024

Munich: City of Natural Wonder, Sustainability, and Oktoberfest
Time:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
WPU Ballroom
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with Department of German, Film and Media Studies Program and Mascaro Center for Sustainability
Contact:
Sabine Von Dirke
Contact Email:
https://www.german.pitt.edu

Brezels, apfelstrudel, games, prizes, and information about German Degrees Certificate (CWES, Central European and European Union, study abroad, recycling and sustainability in Germany

Thursday, October 3rd, 2024

International Careers Toolkit: Preparing a Competitive Application for PhD Programs
Time:
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Josten (History of Art and Architecture), Nancy Condee (Slavic Languages and Literatures), PraiseGod Aminu, Krystal Marsh
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center and Global Hub
Cost:
Free and open to students

Learn the key strategies to crafting a winning application from current graduate students and faculty who have been there, done that. From personal stories to expert tips, this session of UCIS's 2024-2025 Interntional Careers Toolkit Series will give you the edge you need to secure your spot in a top program.

The EU's Global Role and the Democratic Clause in Trade Agreements"
EU Delegation Joins Colombian and Italian Academics
Time:
8:30 am to 10:30 am
Presenter:
Silvana Insignares and Professor Amparo Alcoceba
Location:
TBD
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

This lecture, part of Uninorte's Cátedra Europa 2024 series, will feature Silvana Insignares and Professor Amparo Alcoceba from Carlos III University of Madrid. They will explore "The Role of the European Union as a Global Actor: Challenges and Strategies," with a focus on the EU's democratic clause in trade agreements.

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

From Southport to Social Unrest
Insights on Countering Political Violence from the Uk's 2024 Riots
Time:
12:30 pm
Presenter:
Abdul-Hye Miah
Location:
3911 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence along with the Matthew B. Ridgeway Center for International Security Studies
Contact:
Sandy Prigg-Monteverde
Contact Email:
sjp89@pitt.edu

Learn about the July 2024 Southport attack in the UK and the subsequent far-right riots that spread across the country. Abdul-Hye Miah will provide relevant insights for combating political violence, managing civil unrest, and strengthening social cohesion in a polarized environment.

NRIEP Scholarships Info Session
Come and learn about global experience funding opportunities!
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office

Explore the World with a Summer Study Abroad Scholarship! Join the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs' Scholarships Info Session!

Dreaming of an unforgettable summer adventure abroad? We're here to make it happen! Discover your opportunity to study abroad with the help of scholarships at our Summer Study Abroad Scholarships Info Session.

What You'll Gain from Our Info Session:
Scholarship Insights: Learn about various scholarships designed specifically for summer global experience programs.
Application Tips: Get expert advice on crafting a compelling scholarship application.
Destinations Galore: Explore exciting study abroad destinations and programs available.
Q&A Session: Ask your burning questions and get answers from experienced advisors.

Don't miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime! Secure your spot at our Summer Study Abroad Scholarships Info Session and embark on a transformative journey that will broaden your horizons and enrich your life. Your global adventure begins here!

In-Person event

Tuesday, October 1st, 2024

The Impact of Free Trade
Women's Perspectives on Resistance and the Search for Alternatives
Time:
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Presenter:
University of Guadalajara
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

Hosted by the University of Guadalajara, this webinar will last between September 24 - October 15th, where it aims to highlight and connect the issues faced by working women, land defenders, environmentalists, and human rights activists, particularly focusing on the EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (TLCUEM), while linking voices from Mexico and Europe. The webinar will be conducted in Spanish with simultaneous translation into English.

Session 1: Working-Class Women and Labor Organizing (September 24th)
Session 2: Women in Defense of Land and Territory (October 1st)
Session 3: Women Defending Human Rights (October 8th)
Session 4: Women Resisting Megaprojects (October 15th)

The Nordic Freedom Machine: Social Democracy as a Modelfor Individual Liberty
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Magnus Marsdal
Location:
4303 Wesley Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence and UCIS Engagement
Contact:
Stephen Lund
Contact Email:
slund@pitt.edu

This lecture will offer a comparison of the welfare states of Scandinavia and the U.S., conceptions of Left and Right and Liberty, and the embrace of the Nordic path to individual liberty.

About the Speaker:
Author and journalist Marsdal is the founder of the union-sponsored think-tank Manifest Center for Societal Analysis and the digital platform Manifest Media. Over the last decade, Marsdal has devoted much of his efforts to a Freedom Project, comparing the welfare states of Scandinavia and the United States of America. He currently hosts one of Norway’s leading politics podcasts

Fall 2024 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu

Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!

Building Peace in Colombia
EU Delegation Joins Colombian and Italian Academics
Time:
8:30 am to 9:30 am
Presenter:
Universidad de Norte
Location:
TBD
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

October 1 and 3: Lecture Series
Uninorte will be hosting two lectures as part of their "Cátedra Europa 2024," which this year features Italy as the guest country.

October 1: Participation from the EU Delegation in Colombia, along with several Colombian and Italian academics, focusing on Cooperation for Peace in Colombia.

Monday, September 30th, 2024

ValEUs Foreign Policy Debates with Civil Society
Time:
4:00 pm
Presenter:
Rutgers
Location:
15 seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901| Academic Building (West), Room 2160 CAC
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu

The ValEUs Project has organized a series of panel discussions with civil society organizations on European values and EU foreign policy. These debates expose European foreign policy contestations and ambivalences, allowing for the exploration of new avenues to counteract them.

On September 30 the ValEUs Foreign Policy Debate at Rutgers University will feature Luisa Neubauer, Gubad Ibadoghlu, and Elena Apostoli-Cappello. They will discuss climate change, activism, and government policy in the EU and beyond. The event is open to a local audience and available via live stream.

Career Talk: Lunch with a Journalist
Time:
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Presenter:
Magnus Marsdal
Location:
4217 Wesley Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
RSVP: slund@pitt.edu
Contact:
Stephen Lund
Contact Email:
slund@pitt.edu

The speaker Magnus Marsdal, is a Norwegian author and journalist currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the digital platform Manifest Media. This event is intended for students interested in journalism and the various media in which political commentary can be shared, this informal lunch is an opportunity for students to talk with Mr. Marsdal about his experiences, the skills required in daily news reporting, and the development of a successful career as a non-fiction author, pundit and public speaker. He’ll share insights on what he sees as core elements of engaging journalism and how all of the above can translate into podcasting.

Saturday, September 28th, 2024

SCREENSHOT: Asia Sweet Dreams
Time:
8:30 pm
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center and European Studies Center

Join us for a screening of Sweet Dreams at Harris Theater, a darkly comedic and surreal exploration of colonial legacy in Indonesia. As the plantation owner’s death uncovers familial strife and colonial absurdities, the film delves into the complex relationships and power struggles within a sugar plantation. With its blend of malevolence and absurdity, Sweet Dreams critically examines how colonialism permeates and distorts every facet of life.

This film is part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival, which takes place September 25-29. All films are free for Pitt students, staff, and faculty with a valid Pitt ID. Registration in advance is requested but not required. For the full schedule of films, please visit screenshot.pitt.edu.

*Please Note: Pitt ID holders can reserve tickets by clicking “Promo Code” in the upper right corner of the Harris Theater website and using SCREENSHOT24 as the code. IDs will be checked on entry.

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Disturbing imagery

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