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Articles by Uffe Østergaard

1. Report from Helsinki. Hot feelings about Cold War

   During the Cold War each side produced propaganda which highlighted the differences between the two systems and peoples, “the others”. There were, however, also conceptions of “the other” derived from sporadic but real meetings, meetings which awoke curiosity and a willingness to establish closer relations. The Aleksanteri Institute’s ninth annual conference, “Cold War: Interactions Reconsidered”, held in Helsinki fall 2009, examined these more low-key contacts and varying interpersonal relations and attitudes.

2. Natural Gas. Makes Russia Stronger

   In the Baltic countries, there is a great need for energy. The Nord Stream project is a power game in which Russia may come to strengthen its role.

3. The Fall of the Wall. Fifty Years of Waiting for the Right to Vote.

   Joachim Gauck was 50 years old when he first voted in a free, democratic election in the GDR. A conversation about power and powerlessness, culpability, and reconciliation. The opposite of Communism is individualism, he states.

4. Turning a blind Eye to the Obvious

   István Rév opens the door to the Open Society Archives for a discussion about bloodshed as a poor gauge of a revolution, about honesty and decency as rare commodities, and about populism and utopianism.

5. Anti-trafficking efforts. Hard to Get Results

   One result of efforts to halt trafficking is that the situation of those at risk becomes more difficult. So say NGOs and researchers. When women are sent home, they end up in a more vulnerable position – often they go back to trafficking.

6. Combining Activism and research

   Thomas Acton describes how Romanies are always outsiders. He contends that it is impossible to be engaged in Romani Studies without also becoming part of the Romanies’ struggle.

7. A polish heart in Lithuania

   Poles in Lithuania are a minority who want to strengthen their identity. They are now demanding to have their names spelled correctly in official records.

8. Queer in polish

   Joanna Mizelienska, lecturer in gender and queer studies, argues that it is difficult to apply queer theory in Poland. Can one speak of constructed sexual identities where gay rights are disregarded or violated?

9. After Entry into the EU. Homophobia was Let Loose

   Conor O'Dwyer, professor of political science, talks about a backlash at the political level also. Sexual minorities in Poland and Latvia have had their rights restricted following EU accession.

10. Homosexuals. the invisible citizens of lithuania

    The passing of a homophobic law 2009 threw the spotlight on the difficult situation faced by the homosexual community in Lithuania.

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