Chapter GUSEGG: Alumni Day 2015

Graz International Summer School Seggau and alumni UNI graz invited all former summer school participants to join the 10th anniversary of the Summer School at Seggau Castle. The event took place on July 1, 2015 and offered the possibility of meeting teachers and students as well as other alumni and to participate in the academic activities especially organized for the summer school anniversary.

Soeren Keil's keynote speech focused on understanding the rise of authoriatarian governance in the Western Balkans. Keil exemplified key aspects of his lecture using film sequences from the movies "The Godfahter" and "Scarface". Following the key note, Mirko Petric, Luis San Vicente Portes and Kim Sawchuk joined Keil in a lively discussion about the presented topic.

During the plenary discussion “Up/rooted in Education: Movements and Borders in Academia” Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl, Vice Rector Peter Riedler, Prof. Roberta Maierhofer, two alums of the Graz International Summer School Seggau, Stefan Schneider and Oana Ursulesku, discussed different perspectives on aspects of international relations in education.

Talking about what the University of Graz wishes to achieve with its alumni network in general and with the GUSEGG chapter in particular, Vice Rector Riedler encouraged the attendants to be embassadors for the program and for the university. Alumni Stefan called upon the participants to take this positive feeling back home with them and to keep trying to make a change within society.

Roberta Maierhofer congratulated the bishop on the 25 anniversy of his ordination to the priesthood. He thanked everyone involved for their dedication and emphasized: "If we engage with each other we are able to change the world!"

As a conclusion to the evening wine and dessert was served on the terrace allowing for  continued discussions and friendly exchange in a comfortable atmosphere.

Program:
July 1
12:00 Arrival of the Alumni

12:30 Lunch

15:00 Keynote Speech: Soeren Keil (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK), respondents: Mirko Petric (University of Zadar, Croatia), Kim Sawchuk (Concordia University, Canada), Luis San Vicente Portes (Montclair State University, USA)

16:00 Discussion

18:00 Dinner

18:45 Plenary discussion

20:00 Wine and dessert on the terrace

July 2
07:30 – 09:00 Breakfast

By 10:00 Departure of the Alumni

You can find pictures of the event under the following link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FRJLpmSHSQU2AFUz9