Dunja Serbia Seminar Poster
In examining the political and economic trajectory of the Western Balkans, attention has been focused on associations with the European Union (EU). Less noted, however, are the economic, diplomatic and social connections that have been established between the region and various emerging economies, such as the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Some of these connections are reviving old ties, such as those with Russia. Others are newer in nature, such as those with China, and represent new sources of economic development and political opportunities for the region. Partnerships range from investments in strategic industries, pipeline developments and infrastructure projects that link the Balkan peninsula with Central Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to initiatives that are seemingly more spontaneous in nature, such as the formation of the Chinese diaspora. Drawing on network, practice-theoretical and governmentality approaches in international political sociology and using Serbia as the case-study, this seminar explores the processes through which the Western Balkans are creating and being embedded in global networks. The speaker asks: how are emerging economy networks constituted and articulated in the region and to what extent are these complementary and/or in competition with the region's growing integration into EU political and economic networks?
Dunja Apostolov-Dimitrijevicis a PhD Candidate in Political Science with a Specialization in Political Economy at Carleton University, Canada.. Her doctoral research project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and has been awarded the Graduate Research and Innovative Thinking Award. Dunja holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an Honours Bachelor from the University of Toronto. She was the Vice-President of the European Community Studies Association – Canada Young Researchers Network from 2014-2016.
Respondent: Professor John O’Brennan (Maynooth University)