This year, we would like to propose the Authors to prepare articles for three thematic sections:
We look forward to the texts in English, Polish or Russian, with a volume of 30-40 thousand characters with spaces, covering the entire scientific apparatus (footnotes, attachment bibliography, abstract and keywords in the original language and English). Please agree on the article's subject in advance with the editors of the section (e-mail addresses – below) by April 15, 2025. Please send the full texts by July 15, 2025, via the editorial panel.
Belarus Facing the Challenge of Democratic Transformation in Education and Science: Polish Experiences for Belarus
The 2020 presidential elections in Belarus significantly impacted the socio-political landscape of the country. Once again, the elections were falsified, triggering mass protests that lasted nearly a year. This time, the protests encompassed the entire country, engaging representatives from all social groups – from academic youth to the elderly. Unfortunately, the machinery of repression prevailed, resulting in many protesters being sentenced to penal colonies. Numerous young people fled the country to avoid imprisonment and persecution. Beyond Belarus’s borders, the Coordination Council and the interim cabinet of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya were established to prepare for future political and social transformations in the country.
Undoubtedly, following the fall of the authoritarian regime, Belarus will face systemic transformation and reforms across all areas of life, including education and science. Poland, Belarus's closest neighbor, has valuable experience in systemic transformation following 1989, which could serve as a model for Belarus, taking into account its unique cultural, historical, and economic context. In the post-authoritarian period, one of Belarus’s most critical tasks will be defining specific goals and actions to implement reforms in education and science to ensure these sectors achieve a high level of international recognition.
Key priorities include decommunization, desovietization, and derussification of the state through the revision of educational materials, particularly in history and civic education. Vetting individuals holding decision-making positions at all levels of government will also be essential. Additionally, restoring the role and status of the Belarusian language without discriminating against the languages of national and ethnic minorities will be crucial. Education on the fundamental rights and duties of citizens, aligned with the constitution and international conventions, must be prioritized. Furthermore, combating disinformation and propaganda will be critical, making education on these topics vital for all generations, from children to the elderly.
The primary objective of this thematic section will be the practical dimension of the publication – offering guidelines, recommendations, and examples of Poland's best practices in reforms that Belarus can adopt. It will highlight areas of focus in education and science, providing actionable insights. The publication also aims to analyze the current state of higher education and the science system in Belarus while identifying key directions for their democratic transformation in the context of political and systemic changes in the post-authoritarian period.
Section Editors:
Helena Giebień (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: 0000-0003-3764-2114
Email: helena.giebien@uwr.edu.pl
Tatiana Iwanow (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: 0000-0002-7522-4717
Email: tatiana.iwanow@uwr.edu.pl
The Political Situation in the Middle East – Escalation of Events, Emerging Trends, and the Shifting Balance of Power
The attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023 has turned the Middle East into a focal point of not only regional escalation but also significant geopolitical transformations and mounting global tensions. Israel’s decisive response, involving massive attacks on Gaza, has led to a dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified, with both nations engaging in offensive actions. Additionally, the Israeli Defense Forces have carried out bombings in Lebanon as part of their confrontation with Hezbollah. This escalating situation in the Middle East has profound implications for international security. Questions arise about the possible scenarios for the region's future and the responses of key global players.
In this section, we aim to explore the transformations taking place in today’s world as a result of the current events in the Middle East and their impact on global stability and security. Moreover, we seek to examine how various threads of these developments are utilized in the strategic communication of different nations. How are the United States, Russia, Turkey, and China responding? Is the political escalation in this region viewed as a reflection of the Middle East’s inherent susceptibility to conflict, or rather as a challenge—or even an opportunity—for advancing specific political interests? To what extent do the actions of non - state actors influence perceptions of international security and the dynamics of the global balance of power?
The aim of this section is to reflect on the current situation in the Middle East and to present potential trends and developments. We welcome analyses that address challenges in the military, political, and economic domains, while considering diverse political orientations and the factors shaping the external actions of various actors within the international system. We are particularly interested in articles that examine security challenges in economic and social terms, especially concerning natural resources, energy, migration, radicalization, and other factors that may reshape international security.
Section Editor:
Piotr Kosiorek (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1618-6607
e-mail: piotr.kosiorek@uwr.edu.pl
The West and the East: Challenges and Threats in the Context of the New Security Architecture
This section focuses on the evolving architecture of international security in the context of the emerging global order, the relations between Western and Eastern states, and the new challenges and threats shaping contemporary security policy.
We particularly encourage contributions addressing the following topics:
The New International Order:
Relations Between the West and the East:
Hybrid and Technological Threats:
Regional Conflicts and Their Global Consequences:
Opportunities for Cooperation and Dialogue:
The objective of this section is to provide interdisciplinary reflections on contemporary challenges and threats to international security, with a particular emphasis on the dynamics of relations between the West and the East. This publication aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the current global order and to propose new perspectives on shaping security policy.
We warmly encourage submissions that make a significant contribution to advancing knowledge on international security and its role in modern inter-state relations. We invite contributions that will enrich the discourse on the challenges of modern security architecture and facilitate a deeper understanding of the relations between the West and the East in a time of global transformation.
Section Editors:
Krzysztof Kociubiński (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9027-1434
Email: krzysztof.kociubinski@uwr.edu.pl
Marek Kulczycki (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2713-3714
Email: marek.kulczycki@uwr.edu.pl
Marek Musioł (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3318-9626
Email: marek.musiol@uwr.edu.pl
Wojciech Szczerbowicz (University of Wrocław)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6278-9965
Email: wojciech.szczerbowicz@uwr.edu.pl