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Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the region of Southern Caucasus has experienced a difficult transition towards constitutional rule of law and democracy, as dramatically represented by the occurrence of armed conflicts.

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia committed themselves to liberal democratic principles and became members of the Council of Europe, but the results of their transition processes are still uneven. The strengthening of democratic institutions is challenged by many issues, including the permanence of de facto independent states as well as the presence of one million displaced people as results of the wars of the early 1990s.

Understanding the Caucasus today is of crucial interest to students of democratic transition, conflict transformation, international law and minorities’ rights. Students of international relations can approach an area around which gravitate the interests of the EU as well as of regional powers such as Russia, Turkey and Iran. Students of Caucasian studies have the opportunity to discuss their research with world leading regional experts.

The Caucasus International Summer School constitutes a unique opportunity for approaching, with high level international scholars from various disciplines, what makes the South Caucasus a priority in contemporary international studies. Not the least, the summer school takes place in the relaxed atmosphere of the Italian Alps surrounded by amazing mountain landscapes.

The Faculty is composed of leading scholars in Caucasian studies with high level scientific achievements and a wide personal experience on the field. The Faculty is invited to offer assistance to to participants’ research projects.

For more information, visit the summer school website:

http://events.unitn.it/en/ciss2013