Scholars working in the fields of history, political science, economics, sociology, law and related disciplines are invited to submit paper proposals for the international conference “Minorities and Self-determination – 100th Anniversary of the Post-World War I Plebiscites”.

The conference coincides with the 100th anniversary of the border settlement between Denmark and Germany resulting from the outcome of two plebiscites held in Northern and Middle Schleswig. At the same time, Schleswig was only one of several European regions where plebiscites concerning self-determination were held in the aftermath of World War I. Other areas, such as Allenstein and Marienwerder in West and East Prussia, Upper Silesia on the German-Polish border, Carinthia on the border between Austria and Slovenia and Burgenland on the border between Austria and Hungary, experienced similar plebiscites, however each of them took place within a different context and as a consequence delivered differing ramifications and experiences.

The aim of the conference is to draw attention to these plebiscites and the impact they have had on national minorities in the relevant areas, alongside reflection on the notion of self-determination itself and legal frameworks concerning minority rights elaborated in the aftermath of World War I. A crucial element of the conference will be to enhance the comparative and interdisciplinary perspective in scholarly research concerning aforementioned issues.
The deadline for abstracts submission is 15 October 2019.
For further information see the webpage: https://www.ecmi.de/conferences/