Ladies and Gentlemen,

We cordially invite you to lectures by Dr. Bożena Cierlik, a scientist from University College Cork, who will visit Lublin on March 11^th-15^th, 2024 as within the framework of the ERASMUS PLUS Academic Teachers Mobility Program. As part of it, she will give two lectures at the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism of UMCS:

- on Thursday, March 14, 2024: Irish neutrality – complexities, contradictions, and ambivalences, room 4.35;

- Friday, March 15, 2024: Migration and democracy - changing face of European society - Ireland, room 2.14.

We cordially invite you to participate.

March 14^th 2024: Irish neutrality – complexities, contradictions, and ambivalences
Thursday, 14:40-16:10
Room 4.35

Irish nationalism and the independence struggle had provided a frame for Irish foreign policy and the restructuring of the bilateral relations with UK, therefore the concept of Irish neutrality developed and applied is somehow different than anywhere else. This seminar will look at the foundation and development of Irish security policy. When the international community, confronted with a growing range of complex and inter-linked global issues which require concerted international action is Irish neutrality eroded in the 21^st century Europe?

March 15^th 2024: Migration and democracy – changing face of European society – Ireland
Friday, 11:10-12:50
Room 2.14

Given the size of Polish, East Central European and Ukrainian community in Ireland, there is a huge scope for community-based research about the impact these communities make on the transformation of the Irish society locally and on the national level. Culture, diversity, and historical experience are subjects of academic research and understanding, they are an integral part of community identity too, therefore engaged research allows to harness full creativity of the society to address societal challenges of the 21^st century. Academic teachers are faced with questions of what students need to know to function effectively and responsibly in a diverse, stratified world and how to deepen their understanding of democratic concepts, learn about social justice, and examine the relevance of these topics in the real world, as well as in the local community. This seminar will try to address issue of promoting democratic competences in the classroom. Using Ireland as the case study in providing inclusive education it will reflect on the challenges and opportunities faced by all.

Dr Bozena Cierlik – is a lecturer in Polish and East Central European history in the School of History, UCC. She is implementing innovative Service-Learning component as part of UCC long-term strategy of sustainability of collaborative research between higher education institutions and community organizations, and global citizenship attributes.  She was an expert evaluator in EU Framework Programs – Challenges of EU enlargement, Access to digital collections of cultural and scientific content and User Centred Design. Her latest publication - Living near Dragons. Polish and Irish struggles for self-determination , and Polish students in UCC after WWII. She is a recipient of many teaching and research scholarships and other awards l(“Outstanding Polish Person in Ireland” – category Education, “Bene Merito”)