ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The conference will consist of the following three panels:

Panel 1: The Legal Status of
Ethnic Communities

Invited speaker: Prof. Dr. Francesco Palermo, University of Verona & Eurac Research

legal regulation of the status of ethnic communities
differences in the rights and status of traditional vs. modern (migrant) minorities
challenges in implementing the rights of ethnic communities (linguistic, cultural, political, etc.)
individual vs. collective rights
policies regarding citizenship

Panel 2: Ethnic Identities and
Diversity in Contemporary Times

Invited speaker: Prof. Dr. Maurice Crul, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

shaping ethnic and linguistic identities in the modern world
instrumentalisation of ethnic identity
the role of minority elites in shaping and/or preserving ethnic identities
ethnic identification and youth engagement
citizenship and identity

Panel 3: Exploring Ethnicity

Invited speaker: Prof. Dr. Sonja Novak Lukanović, Institute for Ethnic Studies & Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana

key issues and dilemmas in managing inter-ethnic relations in contemporary times
the role, importance and position of ethnic studies in contemporary society
the role of minorities in minority research
terminological problems in ethnicity research
integration of scientific disciplines in the field of ethnicity

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

DAY 1 – THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025

Time	Activity
8:30-9:00	Arrival and registration
9:00-9:30	Welcome and introductory speeches
9:30-10:30	Keynote speech by Francesco Palermo and plenary discussion
10:30-11:00	Coffee break
11:00-13:00	Panel 1
13:00-14:30	Lunch break
14:30-15:30	Keynote speech by Maurice Crul and plenary discussion
15:30-16:00	Coffee break
16:00-18:00	Panel 2
19:30	Conference dinner (optional)

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, 16 MAY 2025

Time	Activity
9:00-10:00	Keynote speech by Sonja Novak Lukanović and plenary discussion
10:00-10:30	Coffee break
10:30-12:30	Panel 3
12:30-13:00	Plenary: Conference conclusions
13:00-14:00	Time off
14:00-16:00	Guided tour through Ljubljana

The final conference programme will be published in the months prior to the conference. Organisers reserve the right to change the details or specifications of the conference in order to provide the best conditions of quality and safety for participants.

Conference venue & accommodation

The Conference will be taking place at City Hotel Ljubljana at Dalmatinova 15, Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is located in the very centre of Ljubljana and is only a 5-minute walk from Prešeren Square, a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.

There are several accommodation options in Ljubljana, but if you would like to stay at the conference hotel, City Hotel Ljubljana offers special rates to conference participants. Upon registering for the conference, please reach out to us so we can provide you with the booking link reserved for conference participants.

Getting to Ljubljana:

Ljubljana is located at the heart of Slovenia. For more information on how to reach us by train, car or plane, please consult the official tourism website for Ljubljana.

Conference venue & accommodation

Getting to Ljubljana:

Ljubljana is located at the heart of Slovenia. For more information on how to reach us by train, car or plane, please consult the official tourism website for Ljubljana.

Scientific Committee

The conference is supported and organised by the following researchers from the Institute for Ethnic Studies:

If you need more information about the conference, please contact Livija Marko from the conference organising committee at
ethnicity-conference@inv.si.