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The ACADEMIC SWISS CAUCASUS NET (ASCN) is a programme aimed at promoting the social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus. Those involved in the programme believe that their participation encourages constructive debate on society, which in turn contributes to the region’s transformation process. The programme’s different activities foster the emergence of a new generation of talented scholars in the South Caucasus. Promising junior researchers receive support through research projects, capacity-building trainings and scholarships. The programme emphasises the advancement of individuals. Emphasis is also placed on international networking, thus promoting sustained cooperation among scholars based in the South Caucasus and those based in Switzerland.

The ASCN Programme is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE) at the University of Fribourg. It is supported by GEBERT RÜF STIFTUNG.

Initially, the programme focused primarily on Georgia. It was then extended to include Armenia in 2011.

International Scientific Conference 11-13 October 2012, Istanbul


The Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN), in cooperation with Kadir Has University, is pleased to organize an international conference on Security, Democracy and Development in the Southern Caucasus and the Black Sea Region to take place in Istanbul on 11-13 October 2012. 

The conference offers a forum for the presentation and discussion of ongoing research projects. It will consist of thematic panels, roundtables and keynote speeches bringing together researchers and policy makers.

The call for abstracts has expired.

For more information please click here.

Book Presentation


On 27 March 2012, the book Political Elites, Ideas and Foreign Policy: Explaining and Understanding the International Behavior of Small States in the Former Soviet Union, by ASCN Research Team Members Giorgi Gvalia, Zurab Iashvili and Bidzina Lebanidze, was presented at Ilia State University.
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2nd ASCN Annual Conference, 29-30 June 2012, Yerevan


Political Transformation and Social Change in the South Caucasus: Georgia and Armenia in Perspective

The Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN) is pleased to announce its 2nd Annual ASCN Conference that will take place this year in Yerevan, Armenia on the 29th & 30th of June 2012.
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