W E E K L Ythe

c e n t r a l e u r o p e a n u n i v e r s i t y

An independent newspaper by CEU students and alumni April 6, 2016, Year 6, Issue 71

Phot

o: C

olin

For

ber• 2 - CEU Smalltalk • 3 - Overviewing CEU’s Sexual Harrassment Policy

• 4 - Roma Housing Crisis in Albania • 5 - Saying Goodbye, Dear Readers • 6 - Academics for Peace in Turkey • 7 - Interning in Central Asia

• 8 - Spring Events in Budapest

IN THIS ISSUE

CEU TALKS ACTIVISM Th

e Gua

rdian

, Kay

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Oze

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THE CEU WEEKLY

2

Small Talk

What is friendship all about? How important is friendship in your life full of term papers? And if you could compare friendship to a dessert, what

would it be?

I met my best friend in high school, we shared a bench for four years. Her horoscope sign is Taurus, so we

match perfectly. We talk on Skype, we talk on Viber, we text on WhatsApp. Our friendship would be a pancake

with Nutella and strawberries. To me, she means stability and trust, support and confidence.

CEU SMALLTALK

Discussing the last edition of CEU Smalltalk for this academic year over some slices of baklava, we reflected on the friendships made in the past 8 months at CEU. That’s why we have some final questions for you dear CEU fellows:

Rustam Issakhojayev Environmental ScienceKazakhstan

Maja Kulic, School of Public Policy, Serbia

Friendship to me, first of all, is trust. And my best friend is right here.

For me, I think friendship is mutual understanding and acceptance no matter what. Not trying to change a person. And that’s my best friend sitting over here.Olga KhonEnvironmental ScienceKazakhstan

Our dessert would be carrot cake, American style. We would totally share a carrot cake!

Germain Laigle, IRES, France

Friendships are like a kaleidoscope. Your focus and your interests change, so do your friends. There are those who are constant, who have been there in your life for a long time. And then there are those who keep changing, but some make their way into your old friends. Friends are like beautiful colors in your life. And if it was a dessert, it would be a double chocolate brownie.

Nawaf Mohammed, Mathematics, Yemen

Ali Wagner, School of Public Policy, Canada

Friendship has been expanding for me as a concept. When I came here, the scope of homogeneity that I was used to changed. So did my definition of friendship. I can’t explain it. It became more diverse with different mentalities I have encountered. If I had to compare it to a dessert it would be a cheesecake. You enjoy it bite by bite.

My friends are like Minions, I just get them to do what

I need and I am like a head master. They’re like

puppets and I’m pulling the threads. But seriously, friendships are important.

They’re probably like Mac’n’Cheese, that’s a real friendship food. That’s how

things work

For me friendship is like ice-cream, because you melt and everyone is in symbiosis after that.

Flavour? It needs to be sweet and intense at the same time. I would say, Belize and Vanilla. I lived in many cities and countries, and CEU confirmed my idea that friendship is something that goes

across borders, across cultures and ages.

Brenda Peace, Legal Studies, Uganda

~ Ann-Kathrin Beck & Anastasia Zabusova

School of Public PolicyGermany & Russian Federation

ISSUE 71

3

CEU Sexual Harassment Policy

A CONVERSATION ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Last month, The CEU Weekly held an open recruitment event that

had students brainstorming new and important issues that the newspaper should be covering. One such topic that gained attention amongst the gathered participants is CEU’s sexual harassment policy; or more specifically what is it, how does it work, and what resources are available to students? To learn more about this, I sat down with Chrys Margaritidis (Dean of Students) to discuss the University’s policies pertaining to this issue. Sexual harassment is a serious

offence at CEU and violates the “The Central European University Policy on Harassment”, the “Code of Ethics of the Central European University”, as well as the, “CEU Equal Opportunity Policy”, all of which can be found on the University’s document website (documents.ceu.edu). Simply put, these documents recognize sexual harassment as verbal, visible, and/or physical actions that are offensive and/or intimidating in nature. Although these documents only pertain to members of the CEU community, Margaritidis stressed that CEU recognized that all individuals, regardless of their gender, can be the victim of sexual harassment and the University is fully prepared and ready to support them. Reporting sexual harassment can be

an intimidating prospect as victims may not want to draw attention to themselves, fearing how their friends and family will react. However, it is essential that we create an environment where people can come forward, as this necessary, yet heavy burden can only be solved once there is awareness of its existence. To aid in this endeavor, CEU has established a policy of complete confidentiality regarding these matters. Those who wish to file a harassment complaint

~ D. Paden ChangSchool of Public Policy

USA

can choose one of three points of initial contact:

1. Their department’s headContact information varies but can be found on departments’ websites or in student handbooks

2. Dean of Students Chrys MargaritidisBuiilding: Nador u. 11, 3rd FloorPhone: (+36-1) 327 3000 x2194margaritidisc@ceu.edu

3. Provost Liviu MateiBuilding: Nador u. 9, Monument Buildingmateil@ceu.edu

Following the first contact, the individual and their initial point of contact will meet with the Provost to review the complaint and determine if an informal resolution can be achieved or if formal proceedings through the disciplinary committee are required. When filing a complaint, time is

imperative and the initial contact should be made as soon as possible. Those who are uncertain if they have experienced harassment, or not, should still contact one of the aforementioned offices. These

conversations will be confidential and will only proceed as far as the person wants.Chrys Margaritidis has been with

CEU for almost 15 years and there has never been a sexual harassment complaint filed at CEU to the Dean of Students Office since its inception. He credits the more mature and conscientious CEU community for this accomplishment. Margaritidis’ final comment was that CEU is better able to address issues which are brought to the attention of the administration. Because of this, he encourages all those who have concerns to contact him. Sexual harassment will always

continue to be a concern at CEU. But so long as our community stands together and voices concerns, there is nothing that will hold us back.

www.

ipfw

.edu.

THE CEU WEEKLY

4

Roma Housing: Crisis and Recommendations

ROMA HOUSING: CRISIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

According to the 2013-2014 Roma Housing Census by Open Society

Foundation in Albania, approximately 15% of the total Roma population lives in unacceptable living conditions, in barracks made from pieces of wood, cartons, and plastic. This picture shows that the majority of Roma families suffer from a situation of permanent housing insecurity. As a consequence, this affects seriously their psychological, economic and social conditions.The majority of Roma people

mentioned above are settled alongside different rivers very near to the riverbank. Together with Roma students and activists, we visited the Roma settlements situated alongside Tirana’s rivers over the last two years. There were two main problems. The first one had to do with the illegality of having erected any kind of building alongside the river. As it is state property, no citizen is allowed to build there without authorization. The second is that the land is considered an area prone to natural hazards, like floods. Recently, Roma families living along

the river are facing two main issues. In November 2015, due to heavy rains, Tirana’s river overflowed, putting 16 Roma families in danger. The families were immediately evacuated by the Center of Civil Volunteer Emergencies and given temporary shelter. Another 6 families were evacuated from another neighborhood known as “Remas’ Coffe”, in Tirana. The bad weather conditions cut off electricity in many areas including those settled alongside the river. Military intervention was necessary to normalize the situation. The second concern of the families is

related with regulatory plans. In order to stabilize the flooding problem, the municipality initiated a project, known as the Rehabilitation of Tirana’s River Program. First, it sought to improve the ecological condition of the highly polluted rivers. Second, the aim was to extend and create a length of 8 km of green areas along the riverbank, and build levees to prevent flooding. Overall, the main issue in this case is

the danger of flooding and the poor

housing and living conditions of the Roma families residing alongside the rivers. They are settled somewhere which is cheap, at least until they are disturbed by municipalities with the rationale of implementing public projects or freeing public spaces. The issue of flooding should encourage the local government to initiate some clear and well defined actions in order to prevent future tragedies. Also, citizens are not allowed to build or occupy a state property, even though the Roma families have been living there for 10-15 years. The Tirana municipality is already aware of the Roma living conditions and the fact that yearly those families are affected by rivers’ flooding. Should those families be classified

as homeless, it would provide them the right to be considered for social housing. However, those families cannot fulfill the criteria to benefit from social housing because they are unemployed, and according to the law on Social Housing Programs for Urban Habitants, the ability of payment is necessary to rent a social house. The core question that remains is where should the Roma families soon to be affected by the regulatory plans in Tirana and other cities be sheltered? In the light of the regulatory plans’ implementation, the Roma families will be faced with potential forced evictions. This is when the local government has to initiate policies and take measures which pursue permanent housing and

efficient integration for those families. Personally, I support the rehabilitation of the rivers and any public investment for the public good. I am pro regulatory plans, but before implementing them I think that local authorities should figure out sustainable policies which aim at providing permanent housing and efficient social integration for those Roma families. Why is it important to first take care of

the housing issue without using forced evictions or inappropriate sheltering in camps? My first argument is constitutionally based. With respect to the core meaning of the constitutional norms, the government has to respect fundamental human rights and liberties. Article 15 of the Constitution states that “public institutions in fulfillment of their duties must respect fundamental human rights and dignities, and also to contribute in their implementation”. My second argument is related to the permanent social and economic integration of these families and their residence status should they be evicted. Temporary sheltering somewhere in the suburbs will create a condition for segregation and will produce impoverishment. Again the governments will be facing old issues, such as poverty, segregation, and informal employment relying on recycling and begging. The scenario will be repeated again and again the government will spend money in fighting something which was not

Taço

, B. (

Activ

ist).

2014

.

Barracks alongside Tirana’s River. Tirana, Albania.

ISSUE 71 Roma Housing: Crisis and Recommendations

5

~ Xhenson CelaRoma Access Program

Albania

properly analyzed and addressed. However, I have some

recommendations. Regular monitoring of the potential of rivers flooding is essential when it comes to the first issue that I raised: natural catastrophe warnings. Also highly important, the local authorities should estimate and evaluate the area being affected and consult in every case with the families regarding possible options to accommodate their needs. I believe that there is not a fixed formula which will please everyone as each person has a different story to share. The solution must come from their insight and the approach should follow what they really need. Is housing the basic concern, or maybe employment is more important? Why have some moved from other cities? In my opinion this should be the preliminary phase. I strongly recommend a type of social

contract between the authorities and the community in order to fit the interests of each. This social contract

would establish a new relationship with rights and duties, informed by specific situations. The government offer would be broader, offering different alternatives adjusted by this contract. A key actor during this process would be the activists who are familiar with the case and are closely connected with the community. Also Roma organizations would play an important

role in providing facilitation to implement certain inclusive programs.

Braz

hdi,

E. (A

ctiv

ist).

2014

.

Pro regulatory plans, pro housing alternatives Tirana, Albania.

DEAR READERS, WRITERS, PROOFREADERS, AND ALL FANS OF THE CEU WEEKLY!

Our Editorial Board wants to thank you for this amazing year

that you shared with us. Even though this issue is the last issue we have prepared for you, we are confident that next year’s team will carry on the voice of the CEU community. This year, The CEU Weekly became

more colorful, more diverse in content (remember the comics cover and burgers expert’s page?), more investigative (check out our pieces on financial aid at the CEU and Residence Center), more controversial (all these debates about the media response to terrorist attacks and migrant crisis), and definitely, more visible (more copies and more distribution spots). But most importantly, we had the

most amazing Editorial Team. Every member was so passionate about our newspaper and so devoted to work that sometimes it seemed like we were not here to study, but to attempt to perfect The CEU Weekly. And there were no happier moments than seeing that all the newspaper copies had disappeared from the

distribution boxes and are moving around the university, from hands to hands. It’s hard to say goodbye to the CEU Weekly and to our readers

and colleagues, but we are thankful to the CEU community for giving us this opportunity to learn, experience, and feel so much!

~ Yours Truly, Ekaterina Efimenko, Editor-In-Chief

THE CEU WEEKLY

6

Academics for Peace

ACADEMICS FOR PEACE: ACTIVISTS IN TURKEY CALL FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE AND REPRESSION

~ Ben SpiesSchool of Public Policy

USA

At Bakırköy Women’s Prison in Istanbul, Bosphorus

University Professor Esra Mungan awaits an unknown fate. Called in for questioning by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government on March 14, she was arrested on-site, along with two other outspoken academics, under ‘suspicion of making terrorist propaganda.’“They put her in solitary confinement,”

recounts CEU Gender Studies student Şeyda Kapusuz, Mungan’s friend and former student. She describes Mungan as a brilliant scholar and a beautiful human being, as well as an advocate of peace and justice in the face of an increasingly repressive regime. “They are trying to suppress the struggle,” she asserts.“Not just academics need peace;

everyone needs peace,” agrees Çiçek Dereli of CEU’s Cultural Heritage Studies program. “The imprisonments have made the movement grow stronger.”The movement she refers to is

Academics for Peace, a mobilization of faculty, students, and activists against civilian violence in the ongoing conflict between the Turkish state, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and various other factions. According to Kapusuz, it began in 2011 as a solidarity network for arrested students and activists. In January, the movement released a petition decrying government crimes against citizens and calling for immediate peace talks. Over 1,100 Turkish academics and nearly 400 more from abroad signed on in support. Though the petition was written as an

alternative to the violence perpetrated by both sides, the Erdoğan government nevertheless took swift and severe action against its signatories. Nearly 30 academics who signed the petition

were immediately detained. Nearly 70 have been dismissed or suspended from their university positions. Over 150 are now under legal investigation, while 530 are subject to administrative investigations at their respective institutions.

"More than 1,800 people

have been prosecuted

for insulting Erdoğan and

his government since he took

office in 2014, according to the

BBC." Erdoğan has a history of intolerance

for criticism. His administration has imprisoned journalists and silenced the free press, as when police seized the newspaper Today’s Zaman in early March. More recently, he demanded that Germany pull a satirical song mocking him from its national airwaves (they refused to take such action). More than 1,800 people have been prosecuted for insulting Erdoğan and his government since he took office in 2014, according to the BBC.The ongoing, tragic conflict in Turkey

has obscured accountability there. High-profile bombings in Ankara, Istanbul, Suruç, and Diyarbakır have killed over 200 people, most of them

civilians. Though the various attacks have been claimed by either the Islamic State or the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, a PKK splinter group, the government has been quick to blame the bombings on PKK directly in some instances. The government, for its part, has been implicated in a series of human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings in the country’s largely-Kurdish southeastern region. The Turkish military is also involved in the ongoing Syrian civil war, ostensibly aiding in the fight against the Islamic State, though it has been repeatedly accused of using the conflict as cover to bomb Kurdish targets in northern Syria, and even of protecting Islamic State supply lines. Add to this the fact that Turkey is now hosting over 2.2 million Syrian refugees, and you have a chaotic and scary situation facing Turkish citizens. Dereli and Kapusuz allege that President Erdoğan has used this to his advantage, promising the people security while broadening the legal Turkish definition of “terrorist” to include his political enemies. “The letter wasn’t directly against

the government, it was just asking for peace,” Dereli maintains. “Enough with all these deaths, enough with all these meaningless investigations that harm our academic environment.” The campaign supporting Turkey’s

political prisoners continues. Despite the backlash, Kapusuz has hope: for Professor Mungan, for Turkish academia, for peace. “Even though the government’s violence gets bigger, the movement of peace does too.”

ISSUE 71 Internships in Central Asia

MORE CENTRAL THAN MIDDLE: HIGHLIGHTING CENTRAL ASIA

~ Ravshan AbduallevSchool of Public Policy

Tajikistan

7

Many CEU students think about starting off their career in a

developing region. Others are looking for possible internships somewhere “far-far away” where their skills and knowledge will be really used to improve people’s lives. If you are from either group, think about Central Asia! The region is currently underrated by students who are looking for good, practical experiences, career development and adventures. The RegionCentral Asia is a developing region in

the middle of Asia. It consists of five countries, mountains, deserts, dried seas, corruption, lots of problems and almost 68 million, very hospitable, people. The Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - were part of the USSR before its collapse in 1991. In 1992 the region was renamed Central Asia, a more attractive name for tourists and investors. It seems impossible to measure how successful this decision was from an economic point of view, but locals like the current name because Central Asia is much more CENTRAL than Middle Asia. The region remains divided; intra-

regional trade is the lowest in the world. Turkmenistan has a visa regime with all the other countries, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan require visas for each other, from time to time armed conflicts break out on the borders.Exporting gas and oil made

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan politically important, though not rich. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, meanwhile, have only mountains, clean water and remittances from labor migrants in Russia, but this is not a problem when it comes to prestige-projects. In 2011 Tajikistan spent 65 million USD to erect the world’s tallest (165 meters) flagpole in its capital – Dushanbe. According to the Communist

tradition, presidents rule until death. The presidents of Kazakhstan and

CEU Weekly Editorial Board & ContributorsEditor in Chief: Ekaterina Efimenko Managing Editor: Ben Spies Layout Editor: Aaron Korenewsky Contributors: Ravshan Abduallev, Ann-Kathrin Beck, Calum Cameron, Xhenson Cela, D. Paden Chang, Colin Forber, Camilo Montoya-Guevara, Ilana Ullman, Alexandra Wagner, Anastasia Zabusova

Uzbekistan have been in power since 1989, and the president of Tajikistan has been in power since 1994. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has been president of Turkmenistan for as little as 9 years, but only because he replaced the previous one, who ruled from 1985 until his death in 2006. In Kyrgyzstan, three revolutions have broken out since 2005, but the current president has been in power since 2011. Kyrgyzstan is thus called “the island of democracy” in the region. Work in Central Asia There is a lack of expatriate

professionals in the region. Large international organizations are widely represented in the region. Development banks and international consulting companies are also present, mostly involved in projects financed by USAID, DFID, and the EU. At the time of writing, more than 20 positions where open in OSCE offices, UN organizations and the European Development and Reconstruction Bank. Internships in Central AsiaSmall local NGOs in the region

always need the help of people with good English for project development, proposal writing, monitoring and

evaluation and many other related activities. Usually, NGOs give interns as many opportunities to work, research and practice as they want. Often international interns hold the same importance to the organization as the director. Local middle-management workers also like interns due to the opportunity to practice their English. If you are interested in work in rural

areas, NGO employees are usually willing and eager to open their homes to you, and you will feel almost like a rockstar for the entire duration of the internship. How secure is Central Asia?Usually it’s much safer to be a

foreigner in the region than to be a local citizen. The police are friendly to foreigners, people are hospitable and, in case of emergency, the embassies of developed countries are always ready to help. However, as an expat, it never hurts to be a little wary in a foreign place.

lib.u

texa

s.edu

8Distribution Points: Reception Nádor 9, Nádor 11, Library, Cloakroom & CEU Dorm ceuweekly.blogspot.com

Defrosting in BuDapest: spring events in the City

~ Camilo Montoya-GuevaraCultural Heritage Studies

Canada, Colombia

While shedding your winter layers, and with your course schedule significantly clearing up it’s time to enjoy some activities in the fresh air. These events suggestions might inspire some free, fun and fantastic activities!

Featuring traditional and modern folk art, creative

works from various designers, craftsmen and artisans to

be admired and purchased.

March 25 to April 24

BUDAPEST SPRING FAIR AT VÖRÖSMARTY TÉR A colorful program, involving various arts and genres,

such as classical music, opera, jazz, pop, dance, theatre

and visual arts. Performances of the best Hungarian

and world-famous artists will make the Spring Festival

unforgettable.

Opening promenade April 9, starting at 11am at several

locations, see: www.btf.hu/events

Fővám Square,Városháza Park, Szent István SquareApril 8 to April 24

BUDAPEST SPRING FESTIVAL

The ArtYard- Andrássy út 66, Budapest

A weekend long Budapest-based art festival of Indie

comic books organised by The ArtYard in collaboration

with BP! Comics. The fair features comic presentations,

projections, artist talks, workshops & more.

April 8 to 9 (3pm to 8pm)

SZTRIPTÍZ INDIE COMICS FAIR | SZT

A traditional event at ELTE Füvészkert (Botanical

Garden) connected to the blooming of Japanese cherry

trees in April, visitors follow the Japanese tradition of

Hanami and have picnics on blankets in the garden while

admiring the blooming Sakura trees.

April 9 to April 10 (10AM to 5PM)

SAKURA CELEBRATION AT ELTE FÜVÉSZKERT

THE BEER, BURGER & BBQ FESTIVALA season-opening festival. At the first ever Beer, Burger & BBQ Festival you have the chance to try out the best

hand-crafted beers and other special brewers, burgers

and BBQs Hungary has to offer.

April 15 to April 17 (12PM to 10PM) BUDAPEST 100, CELEBRATION OF 100-YEAR OLD BUILDINGS

Pop into Budapest buildings that celebrate their 100th

birthday in 2016.

http://www.budapest100.hu/April 16 to April 17

INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL BUDAPEST

http://www.konyvfesztival.com/angol.html

Millenáris, Kis Rókus u. 16-20., Buda, district II., tram 6

A great festival for book lovers, an ideal place to get

both newly published and older books at discount

prices, while a variety of programs are offered.

~ 500 Forint fee for entrance, deducted if you buy a

book.

April 21 to April 24 (12PM to 7PM)

BEHIND THE GLASSHILL:UNEARTH CULTURE IN THE HEART OF

THE PILIS, POMAZ Fülöp Kecskefarm

Join this unique chance to enter the Fülöp goat-cheese

Farm in Pomáz, where stand medieval ruins, a part of

the Pilis Mountains otherwise closed to the public, only

a few kilometers from Budapest.

April 23 (10AM to 6PM)

Looking for more? Some websites to check for events in Budapest!http://welovebudapest.com/eventshttp://www.budapestbylocals.com/events/http://budapest.lecool.com/