Deutsche Gesellschaft für Osteuropakunde

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Osteuropakunde (DGO) is the largest network of Eastern European research in the German-speaking area. Founded in 1913, the DGO serves as a central forum for the discussion and analysis of politics, economy, and culture in Eastern Europe.

• Journals: The DGO publishes the renowned journal Osteuropa, which offers in-depth analyses of politics, culture, economy, and society in Eastern Europe. Additionally, there is the journal Osteuropa Recht, which focuses on the legal systems and legal developments in Eastern and Central Europe[1][4].
• Research and Publications: The DGO promotes the transfer of knowledge from academia to the public through various publications, events, and other activities. It provides regular analyses, facts, and chronicles of events in Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasus, and Central Asia[1][2].
• Network and Dialogue: With over 20 regional branches in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the DGO serves as a platform for dialogue between East and West. It brings together experts from academia, politics, economy, media, and culture to promote exchange of opinions and cooperation[1][2].

The main mission of the DGO is to promote and deepen research and dialogue about Eastern Europe. It aims to be an independent and non-partisan forum that supports critical and well-founded research and strengthens European dialogue. The DGO advocates for the values of scientific integrity, freedom of expression, and international cooperation[1][2].

• Protection of Researchers: In light of recent hacking attacks and the classification as an "extremist organization" in Russia, the DGO advocates for the protection of researchers working in autocratically governed states. It calls for strategic responses from the federal government and the Bundestag to ensure the personal freedom and safety of researchers[3].
• Promotion of Young Researchers: The DGO annually awards the Klaus-Mehnert Prize to outstanding young researchers to support and promote the next generation of scholars[1].
• International Cooperation: The DGO works closely with international partners and organizations to strengthen dialogue and research collaborations and to secure Eastern European research in the long term[1][2].

The DGO is currently in the spotlight of Russian disinformation and hybrid warfare. Despite these challenges, the DGO remains determined to continue its work unwaveringly and to resist attempts to suppress well-founded and critical research. It collaborates closely with the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) to close security gaps and protect research freedom[3].

• 1 - https://dgo-online.org/international/english/
• 2 - https://dgo-online.org
• 3 - https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2024/10/14/im-fokus-russischer-desinformation-hacker-attackieren-email-server-der-deutschen-gesellschaft-fuer-osteuropakunde
• 4 - https://www.steiner-verlag.de/brand/Osteuropa
• 5 - https://dgo-online.org/kontakt/