Conflict of interest (COI) is usually understood quite broadly as a social phenomenon related to corruption, lobbying, nepotism, patronage, clientelism or the activity of informal networks of power. What are the current expressions of conflicts of interest in various spheres of social life in Central and Eastern Europe - politics, economy, science? What approaches to COI social sciences should apply? Why does COI often remain an unexplored issue? In what ways are scientists, including social scientists themselves, involved in various conflicts of interest, such as ‘rent-seeking’ activities?

Conference date: 25-27 August, 2010, Torun (Poland). Deadline for submissions: May 31, 2010.

Die Universität Wien veranstaltet eine Ringvorlesung über Das politische Lied in Ost- und Südosteuropa. Organisatoren: Fedor B. Poljakov und Stefan M. Newerkla vom Institut für Slawistik, Philologisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Fakultät und Oliver J. Schmitt vom Institut für Osteuropäische Geschichte, Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Fakultät. Die erste Vorledung findet am 26. März um 18.30 im SeR. 1 des Instituts für Slawistik der Universität Wien, UniCampus Hof 3 statt.

Arolda Elbasani (Freie Universität Berlin) and Ridvan Peshkopia (University of Kentucky) are organizing a workshop from 5th to 6th of February, 2009 in Berlin, entitled EU Enlargement and Institutional Reforms in Southeast Europe. Deadline for submitting abstracts is December 22, 2008.