Political restistence towards unityPolitical restistence towards unity

dober vecerdober vecerbon serabon sera

willkommenwillkommenwelcomewelcome

Georg Holzer, 21st December, 2007Georg Holzer, 21st December, 2007

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GeographyGeography

The Only Place in Europe where Roman, Slavic and German culture The Only Place in Europe where Roman, Slavic and German culture come togethercome together

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Reason 1: LanguageReason 1: Language

It‘s so much easier to communicate when you know howIt‘s so much easier to communicate when you know how

Third language next to English obligatory. But not at a high level Third language next to English obligatory. But not at a high level

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Reason 2: MediaReason 2: Media

When a bank robbery takes placeWhen a bank robbery takes placein Vorarlberg, we know itin Vorarlberg, we know it

But what happens just 20 km fromBut what happens just 20 km fromKlagenfurt/Celovec? We don‘t know!Klagenfurt/Celovec? We don‘t know!

Agencies (APA) is very west-focused.Agencies (APA) is very west-focused.

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Reason 3: HistoryReason 3: History

Habsburg-Empire united the region for a long timeHabsburg-Empire united the region for a long time

WW 1: War hit this region worst. Some of the most brutal battles in WW 1: War hit this region worst. Some of the most brutal battles in mankind took place in the heart of the region: Isonzo. 27 nationalities mankind took place in the heart of the region: Isonzo. 27 nationalities fought here, 300.000+ deathfought here, 300.000+ death

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Reason 3: History 2Reason 3: History 2

Aftermath of WW1: SHS-Invasion and „Kärntner Abwehrkampf“ that Aftermath of WW1: SHS-Invasion and „Kärntner Abwehrkampf“ that lead to the referendum.lead to the referendum.

Aftermath of Referendum: Deep distrust for decades towards the Aftermath of Referendum: Deep distrust for decades towards the Slovene MinoritySlovene Minority

WW2: „German“ Revenge and Cossack-Massacre ...WW2: „German“ Revenge and Cossack-Massacre ...

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Reason 3: History 3Reason 3: History 3

Aftermath of WW2: Austrian National Treaty guaranteed minority Aftermath of WW2: Austrian National Treaty guaranteed minority rightsrights

Minority rights mostly fullfilled except symbols (Landposts)Minority rights mostly fullfilled except symbols (Landposts)

1970ies: Ortstafelstreit escalated but not solved1970ies: Ortstafelstreit escalated but not solved

Ever since: Landposts as a mean of political Ablenkung from other, Ever since: Landposts as a mean of political Ablenkung from other, bigger problemsbigger problems

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Reason 3: History 4Reason 3: History 4

1991: War in Slovenia. Austria first to recognize Slovenia and Croatia1991: War in Slovenia. Austria first to recognize Slovenia and Croatia

1995: Austria joins EU, 2004: Slovenia joins EU1995: Austria joins EU, 2004: Slovenia joins EU

Today: Unity, but is it in all heads? Today: Unity, but is it in all heads?

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Reason 4: PoliticsReason 4: Politics

It‘s not just Jörg Haider. Social Democrats were durching decades It‘s not just Jörg Haider. Social Democrats were durching decades much more resistant againstmuch more resistant against

Haider: Consequent use to draw attention from other problems.Haider: Consequent use to draw attention from other problems.

Lack of openness in people‘s minds is a dangerous political weaponLack of openness in people‘s minds is a dangerous political weapon

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What happened 1: BusinessWhat happened 1: Business

Companies used their chances very successfully (not always in the Companies used their chances very successfully (not always in the interest of the people in the area)interest of the people in the area)

Hypo Group Alpe AdriaHypo Group Alpe Adria

Telekom Austria (VIPnet, SiMobil ...)Telekom Austria (VIPnet, SiMobil ...)

Styria Medien AG (Vecernji List, 24 Sata, Zurnal)Styria Medien AG (Vecernji List, 24 Sata, Zurnal)

Many small and medium businesses tooMany small and medium businesses too

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What happened 2: Interreg-ProgrammesWhat happened 2: Interreg-Programmes

EU enforces cross-border cooperationEU enforces cross-border cooperation

Projects not rarely fall asleep after startProjects not rarely fall asleep after start

A few of them really work wellA few of them really work well

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What happened 3: SchoolsWhat happened 3: Schools

All types of Schools are available in Slovene languageAll types of Schools are available in Slovene language

Exhange programmes during the last decades started when I got off Exhange programmes during the last decades started when I got off school :-(school :-(

Erasmus: But too close to attrackt a lot of studentsErasmus: But too close to attrackt a lot of students

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What happened 4: Senza ConfiniWhat happened 4: Senza Confini

Common bid for the Olympic Winter GamesCommon bid for the Olympic Winter Gamesin 2006 (Torino)in 2006 (Torino)

School-exchanges, people were meeting ...School-exchanges, people were meeting ...

All parties worked together – uniquelyAll parties worked together – uniquelyin Carinthia‘s younger historyin Carinthia‘s younger history

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What could be done? Much more!What could be done? Much more!

Don‘t rely on politicsDon‘t rely on politics

Make use of great technology live WikisMake use of great technology live Wikis

Meet much more oftenMeet much more often

Don‘t let always stressDon‘t let always stressand lack of time reignand lack of time reign

BarCamp together!BarCamp together!

Hvala lepa, grazie, danke, thank youHvala lepa, grazie, danke, thank youFor your attention!For your attention!