Guest Lecture Recap: Prof. Dr. Vello Pettai at UACS
On March 10, 2025, the UACS School of Political Science had the honor of hosting Prof. Dr. Vello Pettai, Director of the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI), for an insightful guest lecture on “EU Enlargement and National Minorities.”
During the lecture, Prof. Dr. Pettai provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities related to national minorities in the context of EU expansion. Drawing from his extensive experience in comparative politics and post-communist transitions, he highlighted key policy considerations for minority rights, the role of international frameworks, and the historical lessons from the Baltic region.
Attendees, including students, faculty, and guest participants, engaged in a dynamic discussion, exploring topics such as ethnic politics, democratization, and transitional justice. Prof. Dr. Pettai also shared insights from his research and policy work, reflecting on his tenure as Chair of Estonia’s Roundtable on National Minorities and his ongoing contributions to European minority rights advocacy.
The UACS School of Political Science extends its gratitude to Prof. Dr. Pettai for his thought-provoking lecture and to all attendees for their participation. Events like these reaffirm our commitment to fostering academic dialogue on critical global issues.
