The first day focuses on Legal Reforms and European Integration: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Western Balkans, exploring the challenges of aligning national legal systems with European standards while strengthening judicial independence, fundamental rights, democratic governance, security, and institutional resilience. Discussions will address constitutional and criminal justice, European legal harmonization, civil, commercial and labour law, family law and the protection of rights, as well as the rapidly evolving legal implications of digitalization and artificial intelligence.
The second day broadens the perspective beyond legal reform to Migration, Mobility and Education across Borders, examining how movement across countries is transforming the ways people access education, exercise their rights, participate in society, and build their futures. Particular attention will be given to the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the right to education, language rights and non-discrimination, the recognition of qualifications in displacement, academic and research mobility, social inclusion and belonging, and the changing position of the Western Balkans as places not only of emigration, but increasingly of transit, return, reception, and immigration.
Across both days, the conference seeks to bridge the gap between formal legal frameworks and their practical impact. It brings together perspectives from law, sociology, education, public policy, and related disciplines to explore how European standards, national institutions, and cross-border cooperation can respond to emerging challenges while ensuring that rights are meaningful in practice.
The conference welcomes contributions that critically engage with current legal and societal transformations, encourage comparative and interdisciplinary dialogue, and contribute to forward-looking approaches to European integration, mobility, education, and the protection of fundamental rights.
We particularly encourage the participation of PhD students and early-career researchers. The conference provides an opportunity to present ongoing research, receive constructive feedback from established scholars and practitioners, and engage in academic dialogue on issues that are central to the legal, institutional, and social future of Europe and the Western Balkans.
