The Research Group on Cross-Border Cooperation held its first meeting this year

The Research Group on Cross-Border Cooperation, established by the National University of Public Service (UPS) and the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), held its first regular meeting this year on February 22, 2024. At the meeting, the activities of the research group in 2023 were reported by the President, dr. Zsuzsanna Fejes, emphasising that even in the absence of financial support, many important results were achieved in the field of research, publication and education. Furthermore, the members discussed the plans for 2024.

In 2023, the Research Group on Cross-Border Cooperation achieved significant results, especially in the area of international networking. Eight publications were presented to the scientific community and four more works were in progress of being published, covering a wide spectrum of cross-border topics. The members of the research group were active participants in many international conferences, including at an event organised by the European University Viadrina, where the head of the research group, Zsuzsanna Fejes, gave a presentation.

In addition, the members of CESCI, Gyula Ocskay and Melinda Istenes-Benczi, were involved in the teaching of two courses, thus broadening the students’ horizons about the institutional foundations of governance and the comparative analysis of government systems. In addition, as a member of an international consortium, the research group has submitted a project , and in the course of 2023, significant steps have been taken in order to launch an internationally indexed journal: the Journal of Advanced Studies on Borders, Cooperation and Development, (ABCD Journal), which according to the plans, would be published under the editorship of UPS, CESCI and the University of Eastern Finland, for which renowned international researchers and practitioners of the discipline were invited to the editorial board.

In the year 2024, the research group makes efforts to be represented at numerous conferences and workshops, where members of the research group can not only present their research results, but also build further professional relationships. Among the plans is the organisation of a hybrid conference with the University of Granada, the main topics of which will be peace research, cross-border research and minority research, and the series of online lectures that started last year will also continue.

Before the meeting, members of the research group visited the Memorial Room of the Border Police Department of the National University of Public Service. The Memorial Room, which presents the nearly 65-year professional culture and history of the border police, opened its doors in September 2022 and has been playing an important role in education ever since, especially for students specialised in border policing. László Vájlok lieutenant colonel, lecturer, who himself contributed to the establishment of the Memorial Room, guided the tour during the visit, sharing valuable information and personal stories with those interested.