UNITA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

EUROPEAN IDENTITY, POLITICS OF MEMORY, AND ENGAGING EUROPE'S TOTALITARIAN PAST
5 November 2026 | 08:30–17:00,“Sergiu T. Chiriacescu” Conference Centre, Transilvania University of Brașov

The question of European identity has become especially relevant in a context marked by geopolitical tensions, democratic backsliding, the resurgence of extremist ideologies, and the challenges posed by digital transformation. Far from being a fixed or self-evident construct, European identity is continuously negotiated through collective memory, educational practices, cultural narratives, and civic engagement. In particular, the ways in which Europe’s totalitarian past is communicated to younger generations play a significant role in shaping democratic values, critical thinking, and a shared sense of belonging to European values.  

UNITA Annual Conference – European Identity and the Politics of Memory

Brașov, November 5, 2026, Aula Sergiu T. Chiriacescu

8:30–9:00 Registration of Participants
9:00–10:45 (8:00–9:45 CET; in English, hybrid)

Welcome addresses:
Anne-Sophie Nardelli, Savoie Mont Blanc University, France (online)
Ana Gascón Marcén, University of Zaragoza, Spain (online)
Gabriela Rățulea, Transilvania University of Brașov
Florin Nechita, Transilvania University of Brașov

  • Jorge Bernad-Vicente and Teresa Coma-Roselló, University of Zaragoza, Spain – Student participation in Global Citizenship Education: a review of practices for active citizenship in Primary Education
  • Giulia Giannettino, University of Turin, Italy – Narrating the Francoist Dictatorship to the Younger Generation: Collective Trauma and Memory in the Autobiographical Works of Lidia Falcón 
  • Ana Cristina Blasco-Serrano and Jorge Bernad-Vicente, University of Zaragoza, Spain – European and Global Citizenship Values in Future Tutors and Guidance Counsellors in Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Education

10:45–11:00 (9:45–10:00 CET) Break

11:00–13:00 (10:00–12:00 CET; in Romanian, hybrid, slides in English)

  • Robert-Nicolae Șolcă, Alexandra-Iuliana Năstase, Codrina Csesznek, Titus-Constantin Bălan, Transilvania University of Brașov – Whose Past Does the Model Remember? A Multilingual Audit of Generative AI Narratives About European Authoritarianism 
  • Dr. habil. Cosmin Budeancă, Institute for the Investigation of Communist Crimes and the Memory of the Romanian Exile; Doctoral School of History, University of Bucharest – Sites of Memory. Memorials, Museums and Exhibitions about Communism in Romania
  • Reflections on the morning session
  • Introducing the Short-Film Project with High School Students

13:30–16:00 Multimedia room, Library of Transilvania University of Brașov

Short-Film Showcase by High School and University Students

Online registration HERE