From a Hilltop in Ascona: Tracing Migration and Mobility in Eastern Europe
Full Report: Societies on the Move. Migration, Mobility and Displacement in Eastern Europe
1-6 September 2024, Monte Verità, Ascona, Switzerland
Our week-long conference, “Societies on the Move: Migration, Mobility, and Displacement in Eastern Europe,” held on Ascona’s historic hilltop Monte Verità, brought together scholars from over ten countries to explore the pressing social and political impacts of migration across Eastern Europe. Against the backdrop of Ascona’s Monte Verità—where artists, revolutionaries, and philosophers once dreamed of new ways of life—experts examined migration trends from imperial times to the present, delving into topics from border politics to the resilience of communities facing ongoing displacement.
Highlights included thought-provoking panels and discussions on cultural survival, such as the challenges faced by the Crimean Tatars and the current integration pathways for Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland. In addition to the academic presentations, attendees had opportunities to network, discuss, and unwind over meals, coffee breaks, and even a few walks along the beautiful Lake Maggiore. The conference also included a special excursion to the Isole di Brissago, a botanical garden located on an island in the lake.
The full report, featuring detailed panel insights and key takeaways, is now online—offering perspectives on Eastern European migration dynamics and paths forward for affected communities.
This international conference was jointly organized by the Center for Governance and Culture in Europe (GCE, University of St. Gallen), the Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES, University of Zurich) and URIS (University of Basel).
We would like to thank Mykhailo Minakov for the photos and for capturing the atmosphere and scenery on Monte Verità in Ascona, and we would also like to thank Tetyana Fedorchuk for summarising all the panels for us in this report!
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