The University of Girona (UdG) and the Transfrontier Euro-Institut Network (TEIN), with the support of the Borders in Globalization-21st Century project, are pleased to invite proposals for papers, panels, and round tables at the TEIN annual conference Beyond Borders: Culture, Language, and Identity in European Integration. The event will take place on October 21 and 22, 2025, at the Faculty of Arts, Universitat de Girona.

— Conference Overview —

In an increasingly interconnected world, overlapping identities, languages, and other cultural elements represent both challenges and opportunities for cross-border cooperation and European integration. On the one hand, these elements can serve as bridges that unite citizens of different countries; on the other hand, they may become excuses for communities to disengage from one another and, as we have seen in Ukraine over the past three years, even motivate or serve as a pretext for armed conflicts.

Understanding phenomena such as interculturality, multilingualism, and multiple identities is therefore crucial in the ongoing process of European construction. Eurobarometer 422 indicates that more than half of Europeans view linguistic differences as a hindrance to cross-border cooperation, and one-third see cultural differences as problematic. Likewise, approximately half of Europeans believe that social, economic, legal, or administrative differences also pose significant barriers.

This conference will bring together experts, politicians, academics, and community members to explore how we can overcome these challenges. By examining a range of success (and failure) stories in cross-border collaboration, we aim to highlight how language, culture, and identity can serve as catalysts for mutual understanding and integration.

— Conference Topics —

We welcome submissions that address (but are not limited to) the following themes:

• Strategies for Cultural and Linguistic Preservation: Approaches to promoting, questioning, hybridizing, and preserving cultural and linguistic identities in border regions and across Europe.
• Language as a Vehicle for Exchange: The role of languages in enabling communication and strengthening cultural ties.
• Shared Cultural Heritage: Evaluating cross-border cultural heritage projects and their impact on community building.
• Educational Programs: Initiatives that promote multilingualism, intercultural understanding, and cross-border cultural exchange among students and institutions.
• Multiple Identities and European Identity: Exploring how local, regional, and national identities intersect and coexist with broader European identity.
• Cultural Expressions and Cooperation: How cultural practices—ranging from languages, literature, and history to gastronomy, tourism, or landscape—can foster mutual understanding and cooperation between neighboring regions.
• Success and Failure Stories: Case studies of when culture has been a driving force for cross-border cooperation, as well as situations where it has failed.
• Identity in Cooperation: How embracing diverse local or regional identities can enrich cross-border initiatives and build stronger partnerships.

— Important Dates —

• Abstract Submission Deadline: June 18th, 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: June 30th, 2025
• Conference Dates: October 21–22, 2025

More informations: Call for Papers