The Summer School on National Minorities focuses on non-kin-state minorities.
This is not a formally established legal category in international law, but an academic definition: a national, linguistic or cultural minority that does not have a sovereign external state
- The Summer School on National Minorities focuses on non-kin-state minorities. This is not a formally established legal category in international law, but an academic definition: a national, linguistic or cultural minority that does not have a sovereign external state
As a result of this, their protection depends primarily on domestic constitutional arrangements and international human rights mechanisms rather than on diplomatic support from an external homeland.Some of the cases explored in the course are Catalans, Welsh, Silesians. Unlike Hungarians in Romania or Croats in Serbia, these groups do not have an external sovereign mother state advocating for them internationally.These cases illustrate different models of interaction with the home state: - Catalonia seeks greater political recognition and self-government - Wales has pursued recognition through devolution - Silesia primarily seeks official recognition of its identity and languageThey deserve deserve particular attention and ad-hoc solutions at international law because minorities without a kin-state are structurally more dependent and because they lack an external state capable of advocating for their rights in international forums.Therefore they the legitimate and democratic claims for recognition, representation and protection should be a focus of concern for EU and International institutions. Self-determination, participation in political live and the rights of these groups would reinforce EU democracy.Otherwise there is a risk related to the erosion of trust in public institutions and undermining confidence in democracy leading communities to feel politically invisible or marginalised. 📷 Want to know more? coppietersfoundation.eu/.../2026-summe…
