Dies Natalis Conference
Clashing civilizations in the modern era
Thursday 16 November
13:00 - 19:00
MARTINI cHURCH Groningen
€7,50

This year’s Dies Natalis Conference will delve into three themes related to the conference title:
> Implications of Historical Developments for Modern Day Global Affairs
> Intercultural Conflicts Shaping International Society
> Important Developments in 21st Century International Relations
When attending this conference you will have the opportunity to choose between five masterclasses arranged on subjects related to the above themes. Every masterclass will be led by an expert in their respective field.
Conference Program
13.00-13.30 Welcome & Walk in
13.30-14.30 Plenary opening of the conference & Keynote talk
14.30-15.45 First round of masterclasses:
Masterclass 1: Intercultural Differences and Global Migration Patterns
Masterclass 2: The Historical Roots of Modern Conflicts and Societal Divisions
Masterclass 3: The Decline of Liberal Democracy in the Middle East
15.45-16.00 First break
16.00-17.15 Second round of masterclasses:
Masterclass 4: Cold War Legacies in 21st Century Global Relations
Masterclass 5: Cultural Relativism and Women’s Rights: East vs. West
17.15-17.30 Second break
17.30-18.15 Moderated closing discussion with all the speakers.
18.15-19.00 Informal gathering and post-conference discussion
Program Details
13.00 - 13.30, at the Martini Church
From 1 pm onwards you will be welcome to enter the Martini Church, find your seat, and get some coffee, tea, or other minor refreshments. This is also a good opportunity to meet others who will be attending the event.
The Conference will officially begin at 1.30 pm, so be sure to arrive in this window, or you might miss the start of the conference.
13.30 - 14.30, at the 'Schip'
At 1.30 pm the conference will officially commence. SIB's president, Thomas Beller, will welcome you, sharing SIB's story in relation to this event. Some short notes regarding the schedule and lineup may also be given.
Thijs Reuten will then have the floor to give a short talk, sharing his perspective on the tumultuous state of current day foreign affairs, as seen through his various functions in the European Parliament. pertaining to this issue. A moderated Q&A will follow Mr. Reuten's talk, which will be led by Teun Janssen.
14.30 - 15.45
At 2.30 pm you can stay in the 'Schip' to attend masterclass 1, hosted by Esther Quaedackers. Alternatively, you can make your way upstairs to the 'Kapel' space to attend masterclasses 2 hosted by Jan Keulen, or to the 'Librije' space to attend masterclass 3 hosted by Francisca de Haan.
The content of these Masterclasses is detailed on the next 3 slides.
14.30-15.45, at the 'Schip'
For this Masterclass, Ronald Skeldon will lean on his extensive research and experience in the field of migration studies to provide insights into how cultural differences shape migration patterns around the globe. Expect a deep dive into the complexities of global migration and its impact on societies worldwide.
14.30 - 15.45, at the 'Kapel'
In this masterclass, Esther Quaedackers will give a talk delving into the big picture of conflict and societal divisions. Drawing a line through human history from evolution of human kind to the present day, Quaedackers will relate ancient developments to modern situations.
14.30 - 15.45, at the 'Librije'
In this masterclass, Jan Keulen will lead a discussion on the lack of liberal democracy in the Middle East and the perspectives of democratisation in the future. Keulen will rely on his 2 decades of experience as foreign correspondent covering the Middle East, and his more recent experience launching press freedom efforts across the MENA region.
15.45 - 16.00
After an enlightening first round of masterclasses, you will have a chance to take a break from 3.45 pm to 4.15 pm. This is a great opportunity to reflect on what you’ve learned, discuss with others, and prepare yourself for the second round of masterclasses.
Refreshments will be provided in the 'Schip' space.
16.00 - 17.15
At 16.15 pm you can go to the 'Schip' to attend masterclass 4, hosted by H.E. Dren Doli. Alternatively, you can make your way upstairs to the 'Kapel' space to attend masterclass 5 hosted by Franciska de Haan.
The content of these Masterclasses is detailed on the next 3 slides.
16.00 - 17.15, at the 'Schip'
For this masterclass, H.E. Dren Doli will explore the influence that events from the 90s have on today’s global affairs. The masterclass led by H.E. Doli will specifically concentrate on the repercussions of Yugoslavia’s collapse for the Balkans. Additionally, he will discuss the threats to regional stability posed by current geopolitical situations which can be traced back to the end of the Cold War.
Prepare for a journey back in time to understand how past geopolitical tensions continue to shape our present and future.
16.00 - 17.15 at the 'Kapel'
In this masterclass, Francisca de Haan will host a workshop on on the intersection of cultural relativism and women’s rights in Eastern and Western societies. De Haan will draw upon her extensive experience as a historian and scholar in gender studies to compare women’s rights across cultures, and discuss the balance between cultural norms and universal human rights. The session will provide insights into the complexities of women’s rights in different cultural contexts.
17.15 - 17.30
After a thought-provoking second round of masterclasses, there will be another short break from 5.15 pm to 5.30 pm.
Refreshments will be provided in the 'Schip' space.
17.30 - 18.15, at the 'Schip'
To close the conference we have arranged for a moderated discussion with all available speakers. This session promises to be a dynamic exchange of ideas, where speakers will reflect on their presentations and engage in a lively discussion about the day’s topics. The discussion will be moderated by Teun Janssen.
18.15 - 19.00
Finally, from 6.15 pm onwards, there will be an informal gathering and post-conference free discussion where you can continue conversations sparked during the day’s events. This is a great opportunity to network with speakers and fellow attendees, share your thoughts on the conference topics, and perhaps even spark new ideas for future discussions.
Attending Experts






