European integration; Women in contemporay history of Europe; Democratic Transitions in Central and Eastern Europe; Gendering European History; Archives; Hermeneutics; Digital History; Danuta Hübner; Bronisław Geremek; Poland and EU Eastward accession; Human Rights; Women Rights; Administrative and Biographical History
Abstract :
[en] After the revolution initiated by the “Solidarity” (“Solidarność”) movement and the overthrow of the communist rule in 1989, Poland began a process of rapid systemic, political, economic and social changes. The country's application for the EU membership was submitted in Athens on April 8, 1994. On April 16, 2003, the Accession Treaty was signed on behalf of Poland by Prime Minister Leszek Miller, Foreign Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz and Minister for European Affairs Danuta Hübner, whose whose portrait is featured in my presentation today, as reflected in the personal papers of Ms. Hubner, which have been deposited in the Historical Archives of the EU since portrait is presented in my presentation today, as reflected in the personal papers of Ms. Hubner, which have been deposited in the Historical Archives of the EU Union in three successive transfers in November 2018, November 2019 and February 2023.
Research center :
Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute Florence Alcide De Gasperi Research Centre, European University Institute Florence Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH) > Contemporary European History (EHI)
Disciplines :
History Arts & humanities: Multidisciplinary, general & others Political science, public administration & international relations European & international law
Author, co-author :
DANESCU, Elena ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH) > Contemporary European History
Language :
English
Title :
Democratic transitions in Central and Eastern Europe: Danuta Hübner, a profile from the Archives
Alternative titles :
[fr] Transitions démocratiques en Europe centrale et orientale: Danuta Hübner, un profil par les archives
Original title :
[en] Democratic transitions in Central and Eastern Europe: Danuta Hübner, a profile from the Archives
Publication date :
09 June 2025
Number of pages :
19
Event name :
EU Eastern enlargement: key protagonists and historical research perspectives. A seminar in honour of Professor Bronisław Geremek
Event organizer :
Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU), Alcide De Gasperi Research Centre, Bronisław Geremek Archives
Event place :
Florence, Italy
Event date :
09 June 2025
Audience :
International
Focus Area :
Educational Sciences
Development Goals :
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions 17. Partnerships for the goals 5. Gender equality 4. Quality education 10. Reduced inequalities
Name of the research project :
The role of women in European and international relations of Luxembourg (RELINT_EULUX) (2022-2026) The female face of Europe – hidden histories, transnational dynamics, new approaches (HER-EUROPE) (2024-2026)
Funders :
EUI - European University Institute Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, EUI Florence Historical Archives of the European Union Alcide De Gasperi Research Centre
The aim of this project is to conduct semi-structured filmed interviews with women from a wide range of backgrounds (political, diplomatic, economic, trade union, cultural, technocratic, civil society, etc.) whose action left a mark on European and international relations, then to publish them for the academic community and the general public, in full and as a series of themed excerpts, in the Oral History collection on the CVCE.eu by Uni.lu research infrastructure. The resulting multimedia resources will also be shared with the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence (HAEU), Archives of the European Parliament and the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe (Lausanne).
For this project Elena Danescu has been granted a Jean Monnet Fellowship in Advanced Studies at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, EUI Florence. By consolidating existing databases and creating new materials and scholarly-public networks, the project aims to reshape the dominant, male-centered narrative of European integration into a more inclusive account—transforming “his-story” into “her-story.” Through a gendered, bottom-up perspective, it enables both micro- and macro-level analyses, contributing to emerging strands of historical and political research. Finally, by leveraging innovative digital technologies, the project not only enhances traditional historical methodologies but also reimagines them, opening new epistemological horizons and broadening the interpretive landscape of European history.
This seminar explores the 2004 Eastern enlargement, shaped by transformative political and social changes in Eastern Europe, with a special focus on the role and thinking of Professor Bronisław Geremek. The archives of this important Polish academic and politician were recently deposited by his family at the Historical Archives of the European Union. The inventory of the archives of Bronisław Geremek is now available for consultation in the database of the Historical Archives of the European Union. The opening of these files was celebrated with an academic seminar on Eastern enlargement and the specific contributions of the Polish scholar and politician.
t is composed of paper files collected and produced between 1991 and 2022 during her mandates in the Polish Government during Poland's pre-accession to the European Union phase (1994 – 2003), as Minister for European Affairs in the Government of Poland during the accession negotiations (2003 - 2004), as European Commissioner responsible for regional policy of the Barroso I Commission (2004 - 2009) and as member of the European Parliament in the group of European People's Party (EPP) (2009 - ongoing).
Commentary :
The European University Institute (EUI) is an international postgraduate and post-doctoral research-intensive university and an intergovernmental organisation with juridical personality, established by its founding member states to contribute to cultural and scientific development in the social sciences, in a European perspective. The Robert Schuman Centre - which takes its name from Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of the European Communities - is an inter-disciplinary research centre at the heart of the European University Institute (EUI). It was established in 1993 to complement the four EUI disciplinary departments of Economics, History and Civilizations, Law, and Social and Political Science, with the goal of developing cutting-edge, academic research and using that research to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders in the public and private sector. The Centre competes actively for prestigious research grants such as European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska–Curie and Jean Monnet Fellowship for Advanced Studies, and co-ordinates or participates in many Horizon Europe projects. The Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) preserves and makes accessible for research the archives deposited by EU institutions according to the thirty-year rule governing access to archival material. It also collects and preserves private papers of individuals, movements and international organisations involved in European integration. Finally, it facilitates research on the history of the European Union, promotes public interest in European integration through education and outreach, and enhances transparency in the functioning of EU Institutions.
