Vienna Coffee House Conversations with Ivan Vejvoda

• Episode 46: Youth, The Diaspora, and Bosnia’s Political Future with Teresa Reiter

  Discussion Highlights:Idemo!'s Mission: Building bridges between Austria and the Western Balkans.Democratic Challenges: Addressing political instability and ethnic divisions in the region.Diaspora Engagement: Mobilizing communities to support democratic initiatives."Speak Up!" Program: Empowering young leaders to collaborate across ethnic lines.EU Integration: Navigating the path toward European Union membership.Grassroots Activism: The role of civil society in promoting democratic values.Transnational Cooperation: Leveraging networks to foster regional stability.Inclusive Civic Spaces: Creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration.​About Teresa ReiterTeresa Reiter is a journalist and policy professional based in Vienna. She is a co-founder of Idemo!, an organization promoting civic engagement and cross-ethnic cooperation among Austria's Western Balkans diaspora. Most recently, Reiter worked as a political specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. Reiter previously led communications at the European Forum Alpbach, co-hosted The Defence Café podcast, and served as a foreign policy advisor for NEOS in the Austrian Parliament. She was a candidate in the 2019 European Parliament elections. Reiter was a 2020/21 Europe’s Futures Fellow of the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) and ERSTE Foundation.Learn more about Idemo! at idemo.jetzt.​Further Reading & ResourcesIdemo!'s Initiatives: idemo.jetztFacebook: IDEMOX: @idemomediaLinkedIn: Idemo Social Media Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union’s enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

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• Episode 45: European Struggles in the Age of Trump with Niccolò Milanese

  Episode NotesDiscussion Highlights:Europe’s Democratic Challenges: How can the EU defend its core values against rising authoritarianism?Ukraine’s Struggle and Global Freedom: Why does Ukraine’s resistance matter beyond its borders?Populism and Economic Inequality: How have neoliberal policies contributed to democratic erosion?The Role of Transnational Civil Society: Can grassroots movements counter authoritarian trends?Technology, Capitalism, and Democracy: How does the digital age reshape political power?Serbia’s Grassroots Protests: Why is Serbia’s movement for democracy significant for Europe?EU Foreign Policy and Strategic Autonomy: Can Europe navigate an era of geopolitical realignment?France’s Constitutional Crisis: What does the future hold for the French Republic’s democratic model?About Niccolò MilaneseNiccolò Milanese is a political theorist, activist, and co-founder of European Alternatives, a transnational movement advocating for democracy and equality beyond nation-states. He has co-authored Citizens of Nowhere: How to Save Europe from Itself and edited Illiberal Democracies in Europe: An Authoritarian Response to the Crisis of Liberalism. Milanese regularly advises cultural, political, and activist organizations on issues of European democracy, citizenship, and generational change.Find more about European Alternatives at euroalter.com.Further Reading & ResourcesEuropean Alternatives’ Initiatives: euroalter.comNiccolò Milanese’s Books & Articles: Citizens of Nowhere, Illiberal Democracies in EuropeInstitute for Human Sciences (IWM): iwm.at Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union’s enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

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• Episode 44: Defense of Democracy in Central Europe and the US with Leszek Jażdżewski

  Discussion Highlights:Trump’s Return and European Security: How could another Trump presidency impact NATO and EU defense policy?Poland’s Role in the EU: What can Poland’s upcoming EU presidency achieve in shaping European priorities?The Battle for Democracy in Central Europe: Why are populist and authoritarian movements gaining ground?Hungary and Slovakia’s Political Shifts: How illiberal governments challenge the EU’s democratic values.Media’s Role in the Fight Against Populism: How the information landscape influences democratic backsliding.Poland-Germany Relations: Why tensions persist despite shared interests.Ukraine’s EU Accession: The political and economic challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU.Civil Society’s Role in Resisting Authoritarianism: Can grassroots movements turn the tide against democratic erosion?About Leszek JażdżewskiLeszek Jażdżewski is a Polish journalist, editor, and political analyst specializing in European politics, democracy, and media. He founded Liberté! in 2008 as a platform to promote liberal values, counteract authoritarianism, and encourage open debate. He also created Freedom Games, an influential intellectual forum that brings together policymakers, journalists, and academics to discuss the key challenges facing democratic societies.Jażdżewski has been recognized as a European Young Leader by Friends of Europe and was appointed a Policy Fellow at the School of Transnational Government at the EUI and a 2019/20 Europe's Futures Fellow of the IWM and ERSTE Foundation. He frequently writes and speaks on democracy, governance, and media influence in the digital age.Learn more about Liberté! at liberte.pl.Further Reading & ResourcesPoland’s EU Council Presidency Agenda: europa.euFreedom Games Conference: freedomgames.eu Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union’s enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

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• Episode 43: Trump, Orbán, and Tainted Democracy with Zsuzsanna Szelényi

  Discussion Highlights:Trump’s Return and European Security: How prepared is Europe for another Trump presidency?Hungary’s Role in the EU: Orbán’s strategy of balancing economic dependence on Europe while forging alliances with China and Russia.The Future of Illiberalism: Why are authoritarian-leaning leaders gaining ground in Europe?Opposition in Hungary: Can Péter Magyar’s movement challenge Orbán in the 2026 elections?The Rise of the Far Right: How European democracies are struggling to counteract populist narratives.Workforce & Migration Contradictions: How Hungary recruits foreign labor while maintaining anti-immigration rhetoric.The Future of Democracy in Europe: Szelényi’s perspective on the resilience of democratic movements.About Zsuzsanna SzelényiZsuzsanna Szelényi is a Hungarian politician, democracy expert, and director of the CEU Democracy Institute Leadership Academy. She was a founding member of Fidesz but later distanced herself from Viktor Orbán’s politics. She worked for the Council of Europe for 15 years, advising governments on conflict resolution and democratic governance. In 2014, she returned to Hungarian politics as an opposition MP. Her book, Tainted Democracy (2022), examines Orbán’s consolidation of power and the erosion of democratic institutions in Hungary. Szelényi was also a 2018/19 Europe's Futures Fellow of the IWM and ERSTE Foundation.Find Szelényi on X @zszelenyi or on her personal website at https://www.zsuzsannaszelenyi.com/.Her book Tainted Democracy is on sale here and from reputable retailers.  Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union’s enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

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• Episode 42: Europe’s Strategic Autonomy and Transatlantic Relations with Stefan Lehne

  Discussion Highlights:Europe’s preparedness for a potential second Trump presidency.Challenges to EU strategic autonomy and transatlantic relations.The influence of defense contracts and energy dependencies on European policies.Internal EU struggles: technocracy versus democracy and stalled institutional reforms.Enlargement prospects in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe as pathways to rejuvenate the EU’s global standing.Leadership and unity in the face of global instability.About Stefan Lehne:Stefan Lehne is a Senior Fellow at Carnegie Europe, focusing on EU institutions, reforms, and foreign policy. His career spans multiple senior positions, including director general for political affairs at the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, and he has extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy. Lehne has served in Austria’s missions to the United Nations and the European Union and was involved in Austria’s EU accession negotiations.Lehne’s recent research explores European integration, strategic autonomy, and responses to global challenges. He also lectures at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and frequently contributes to policy discussions and publications. Lehne was a 2018/19 Europe's Futures Fellow of the IWM and ERSTE Foundation.Recent Publications by Stefan Lehne:Charting the Radical Right’s Influence on EU Foreign Policy (April 2024, with Rosa Balfour) – Carnegie EuropeThe Rules-Based Order vs. the Defense of Democracy (September 2024) – Carnegie EuropeEurope’s New Leadership Faces a Teamwork Test (June 2024) – Carnegie EuropeEurope’s Radical Right Is Formidable—but Not Unstoppable (April 2024) – Carnegie Europefind Stefan on X @StefanLehne Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union’s enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

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