Strategic Narratives of Balticness at the CBSS Summer University 2023 in Gdańsk

The Summer University explored interdisciplinary academic approaches to identity in the Baltic Sea Region, focusing on the connections between cultural and ecological perspectives. Throughout the week, discussions revolved around the cohesive factors uniting people of the Baltic Sea Region, as well as the issues creating divisions. The sessions explored whether thinking in terms of large geo-cultural regions could offer solutions to the social-ecological challenges of the 21st century, encompassing real and imagined, material and symbolic aspects.

Over eight intensive days, the Summer University featured seminars, discussions, and visits to prominent institutions such as the Emigration Museum in Gdynia, the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk, and the Marine Station in Hel. The seminars were conducted by experts from Polish, German, Norwegian, and Estonian universities, alongside practitioners in regional cooperation and security in the Baltic Sea Region.

Notably, one day was co-organised by the Institute of Central Europe (IEŚ) from Lublin, including a roundtable panel on “Security Challenges for Balticness and the BSR in the Future” with Grzegorz Poznański, Director General of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). The highlight of the Summer University was a voyage to Hel with MS Oceanograf, the research vessel of the University of Gdańsk, offering participants a firsthand experience of the Baltic Sea. 

This year’s Summer University welcomed students at the BA, MA, and doctoral levels, from universities across the Baltic Sea and beyond, including Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. Throughout the week, they had the opportunity to share their perspectives on Balticness, Baltic Sea identity, and their involvement in the project, all captured by the Andrzej Wajda Film Centre of the University of Gdańsk. 

The YoPeNET 2.0 project was coordinated by Dr. Marta Grzechnik, with Dr. Magdalena Muszel as the project co-organiser. Partners included the University of Gdańsk, Fundacja Zatoka, Aarhus University, University of Greifswald, Beladania, and Södertörn University. 

Learn more at https://yopenet.ug.edu.pl/.