The main goal of this research programme is to strengthen AUB’s position as an international research centre in the field of Political Science and European Studies and to reinforce the academic ties between Switzerland and Hungary. Joint research projects between AUB and Swiss partners are to be carried out in three Focus Areas:
Focus Area 1: Strategic Challenges for Small and Middle-sized States
Focus Area 2: Democratic Innovations
Focus Area 3: European Perspectives for the Western Balkans Region
Based on the results of these joint research projects, the following activities will be implemented:
- Organisation of scientific conferences
- Teaching and dissemination – curriculum development
- Conference publications
Furthermore, the project includes activities intended to strengthen relations between AUB and its Swiss partner institutions, as well as a scholarship programme for talented but disadvantaged students:
- Study trips with AUB students to Switzerland
- Carl Lutz Lectures
- Carl Lutz Scholarships for MA and PhD students
Results of the project (as of December 2024)
Activity 1 – Scientific Conferences
The series of conferences planned for all Focus Areas started in autumn 2024:
- Focus Area 1: One War, Many Responses: The New Security Order in Europe and its Implications for Small and Middle-sized States, 14-15 November 2024
- Focus Area 2: Conceptions of the State: Between Tradition and Future, 29 November 2024
- Focus Area 3: Western Balkan’s European future. The role of non-EU states in shaping European Integration, 11October 2024
- Focus Area 1: Fifty Shades of Neutrality – A Dead End or a Workable Strategy for Small States in Europe?, 6 October 2025
- Focus Area 3: Crises, Conflict and Reconciliation in the Western Balkans, 30th October 2025
- Focus Area 2: National-Level Political Innovations: Concepts, Institutions, and Ambiguities of Democratic Renewal, 28 November 2025
Activity 2 – Teaching and Dissemination
The curriculum of AUB’s International Relations Master programme is being continuously developed and updated. Academic staff involved in the Changing Orders Research Programme integrate their research findings into the courses offered to students. Seminars with Swiss-related content include: Security Policy, Intriduction to Peace and Conflict Studies, Strategic Thinking in Foreign and Security Policy and Study Trip to Switzerland – Preparatory Seminar.
Activity 3 – Study Trip to Switzerland
The five-day study trips to Switzerland offer students the opportunity to learn more about Swiss politics, economy, regional administration and culture. Students have to take part in a preparatory seminar first, where they give presentations on different Swiss-related topics. The study trip is offered once a year in spring.
- 26-31 May 2024, 17 participants
- 25 – 30 May 2025, 18 participants
- 25- 30 May 2026, 16 participants
Video highlights from the study trip 2026:
- Arrival of the group in Bern, Switzerland
- 1st day in Bern: visiting Swiss Federal Chancellery, Directorate for Economic Affairs, Energy and the Environment, Federal Palace
- 2nd day in Geneve: visiting the Palais des Nations and Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- 3rd day in Zürich: visiting the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (New Zürich Newspaper)
- 4th day in Basel: visiting the Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
- Departure of the group to Budapest, Hungary
Activity 4 – Carl Lutz Lectures
- Dr Bertrand Piccard: „1000+ Solutions“ | 2 November 2023
- Ambassador Dr Thomas Greminger: „Perspectives on the war in Ukraine and the future of the European security order“ | 21 March 2024
- President Viola Patricia Amherd: „Challenging Times for Europe – Thoughts from a Swiss Perspective„| 18 April 2024
- Dr Robert Diethelm: „How to avoid being on the menu when not sitting at the table – not just a European question“ | 14 November 2024
- Ambassador Didier Chassot: „Switzerland and the European Union: Challenges and Prospects“ | 7 May 2025
Activity 5 – Carl Lutz Scholarships
This scholarship programme offers talented but disadvantaged students the opportunity to study at AUB and to contribute to the Changing Orders Research Programme, e.g. through involvement in the scientific conferences.
Scholarships awarded to MA students: 4
Scholarships awarded to PhD students: 4
Activity 6 – Conference Publications
Based on the results of these joint research projects, the following scientific articles and publications were issued:
- Dr. András Hettyey: „Unique, better, model, leader: Claims of exceptionality in Hungary’s foreign policy and beyond“ published in New Perspectives/ SageJournals in September 2024
- Dr. András Hettyey: „Populist (Dis)Engagement with International Parliamentary Institutions: Central Europeans in the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe“ published in Central European Journal of International and Security Studies in Decmber 2025
- Dr. habil Christina Eva Griessler: „The European Political Community: The Advancement of EU influence and its Impact on Enlargement“ published in the journal MEĐUNARODNI PROBLEMI/ INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS in
- Dr. András Hettyey: „Populist foreign politics: the substitution of politics for interests“ published in International Relations / SageJournals in June 2026
Project results in the media:
For further information please visit:
Supported by the Swiss contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in the EU.
Photo © Barta Bálint, Képszerkesztőség
Partner – Andrássy Universität Budapest
Empfohlene Nachrichten – Andrássy Universität Budapest
Conference report on: Crises, Conflict and Reconciliation
17. November 2025
Conference report: Fifty Shades of Neutrality
13. Oktober 2025
Proteste in Serbien und Georgien – welche Rolle spielt die EU?
5. August 2025
Bericht über die Studienexkursion in die Schweiz – Bern, Zürich, Genf, Heiden, Basel – 25. – 30. Mai 2025
25. August 2025
Ungewissheit nach den Parlamentswahlen in Kosovo
24. Juni 2025
"Switzerland and the European Union: Challenges and Prospects" – a Carl Lutz Lecture by the Swiss Ambassador Didier Chassot
20. Mai 2025
Die Reaktion der kleinen und mittleren Staaten der mittelosteuropäischen Region auf den Krieg in der Ukraine
5. Dezember 2024
Conceptions of the State: Between Tradition and Future 29.11.24 – Veranstaltungsbericht
4. Dezember 2024
Meilenstein in Albaniens EU-Beitrittsprozess erreicht: Erste Verhandlungskapitel eröffnet
26. November 2024
Konferenz: Western Balkan’s European future. The role of non-EU states in shaping European Integration
22. Oktober 2024
Studienreise in die Schweiz – 26.-31. Mai 2024
12. August 2024
Die Bundespräsidentin der Schweiz zu Besuch an der AUB
22. April 2024
Carl Lutz-Vortrag: Rule of the jungle or a rule based world order? Perspektiven auf den Ausgang des russischen Angriffskriegs und seine Bedeutung für die europäische Sicherheitspolitik
11. April 2024
Carl Lutz-Vortrag: 1000+ Lösungen für unsere Zukunft
7. Dezember 2023
Gemischte Bilanz der EU-Kommission zur Lage der Rechtsstaatlichkeit in den Beitrittsstaaten des Westbalkans
26. November 2024
Offizieller Start für das "Changing Orders Research Programme"
25. September 2023