On 18 and 19 March 2026, researchers and students from all over the world encountered in the Château Pourtalès and in the premises of the Faculty of Law of the University of Strasbourg to exchange about the European values and the role the borders play in this context. CESCI was represented at the event by the secretary general.

Castle Talks is a long-term project initiated by Birte Wassenberg, Professor of History of the SciencePo in Strasbourg. Within the framework of the two-day long workshops, researchers and students coming from different countries of the world share their views on a particular topic. The students are invited to compile presentations within predefined working groups and to present the results, which are commented on by one of the invited researchers who also give lectures on the selected topic. In 2026, this topic was the European values in a cross-border context, challenged by various conflicts and problems, from the migration crisis to Russian war against Ukraine, from the emergence of authoritarian and populist political movements to euroscepticism spreading mainly among the youth.

The topic was approached by the speakers from diverse points of view, from education to securitisation, from migration to protection of human rights. In his lecture, Gyula Ocskay concentrated on the Europeanisation concept, and the role of the Tisza EGTC in the Europeanisation / EUisation of Ukraine, as an example of transferring European values through daily activities.

The role of the Council of Europe and its institutions as protectors of human rights, has gained a special focus during the workshop, including valuable contributions of the students.