About Us

Globallis is a student association for international relations, established in 2017 on the initiative of students who wanted to complement their studies through active engagement with current global developments. The association was founded on the belief that international relations are not merely an academic discipline, but a field that requires continuous and critical reflection on events shaping the world.

Through its activities, Globallis encourages discussion on international affairs and strengthens interest in foreign policy, diplomacy and the challenges facing today’s world. Particular attention is also devoted to Slovenia’s role in the international arena and to the importance of an informed and active civil society.

Globallis pursues its objectives by organising lectures, discussions and student conferences, providing students with direct contact with experts, diplomats and representatives of institutions. In doing so, it cooperates with international organisations, foreign embassies and the Chair of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, as well as with other student organisations.

Through these activities, Globallis connects students, experts and institutions while contributing to a deeper understanding of international relations within Slovenian academia and the wider public sphere.

01 International Relations

We promote a deeper understanding of current international processes, foreign policy and diplomacy. Topics that are often observed from a distance become the subject of direct exploration and discussion.

02 Practical Experience

We provide students with direct contact with diplomats, experts, institutions and international organisations. This allows them to complement academic knowledge with experience that goes beyond the classroom.

03 Community

We build a community of students united by an interest in international relations and global affairs. It is a space where lasting connections and new friendships are formed.

How Globallis Works

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President

leads the Executive Board

First Vice-President

acts for the President

Second Vice-President

acts for the First Vice-President

Secretary General

administration and membership

Treasurer

financial management

GROUPS AND PROJECTS

Student Conference

The Student Conference on International Relations is the main academic project of Globallis. It gives students the opportunity to present their research to an academic audience, participate in professional discussions, and receive feedback and recommendations for further research.

Theses

Theses is a series of lectures and discussions with guest speakers, designed to explore current issues in greater depth. The speaker first presents and develops a particular thesis, which is then examined through an open discussion involving questions, arguments and counterarguments from the audience.

Public Relations (PR)

The Public Relations team plans and carries out communication activities of Globallis. It manages social media, prepares posts and promotional materials, and ensures a consistent, recognisable and professional presentation of the society to its members, the public and partners.

SPiS

SPiS, or the Friendship and Cooperation Group, connects Globallis with organisations, institutions and representatives of a selected country or region. Through lectures, visits and joint projects, it gives members the opportunity to gain direct insight into international relations and establish connections with foreign environments.

Sociallis

Sociallis strengthens connections among members by organising social and networking events. Through gatherings, informal meetings and other activities, it encourages cooperation, reinforces a sense of belonging within the society, and creates a welcoming environment for members and professors to connect.

Merch

The Merch team plans, designs and manages Globallis promotional products. It oversees their development, ordering, sale and distribution, while ensuring the consistent use of visual elements and contributing to the society’s recognisable identity at events, conferences and presentations.

Team

EXECUTIVE
BOARD

Jan Stariha

President

Nina Drinovec

First Vice-President

Urška Podobnik

Second Vice-President

Ana Lavrin

Second Vice-President

Domen Medvešček

Treasurer

SUPERVISORY
BOARD

Maša Kaučevič

Nika Zver Špan

Manca Frank

TEAM
LEADS

Ana Poljanšek Žagar

Theses

Vanja Pevc

Public Relations

Hana Štefanec

Student Conference on International Relations

Lana Lahajner Rožanec

Sociallis

Lučka Zagrajšek

Merch

Theses

LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS WITH GUESTS

Lectures and discussions with guests are one of the central event series of Globallis. The speaker first presents and develops a particular thesis in full, after which it is examined through an open discussion involving questions, arguments and possible counterarguments from the audience. In this way, the thesis is further shaped through dialogue and engagement with the audience’s perspectives.

ambassador dr Marjan Cencen

Thesis 19:
“Confrontation between ‘Western democracies’ and China’s one-party system in the context of the global order of human society.”

ambassador dr Damjan Bergant

Thesis 18:
“Serbia’s neutrality is not an expression of non-alignment, but rather of prudence, which will sooner or later lead to a loss of identity.”

ambassador Edvin Skrt

Thesis 17:
“Slovenia could make greater use of solidarity and aid instruments in the field of international humanitarian assistance as tools for international development partnerships. The reach and influence of development assistance from the Global North are diminishing in geopolitical terms.”

dr. Asta Vrečko

Thesis 16:
“The Frankfurt Book Fair is an example of international cultural cooperation that strengthens Slovenian art and Slovenia’s cultural industry.”

assoc. prof. dr Sabina Kajnč Lange

Thesis 15:
“For a (small) country to operate successfully within the EU, it requires more than merely having a capable and numerically sufficient permanent representation; what is needed is coordinated action throughout the entire policy process and a comprehensive approach by the government and the state.”

Niels Vlaanderen

Thesis 14:
“Water is a global common good with strong connections to our economies, societies, and ecosystems whose protection will be crucial in determining our success in achieving both Sustainable Development Goals and climate change targets.”

former president Borut Pahor

Thesis 13:
“Peace and stability in the Balkans depend on Serbia’s decision regarding the European Union or Russia.”

Matjaž Nemec, MA

Thesis 12:
“For the long-term survival of the European Union, its ability to integrate the Western Balkan countries into the EU will be crucial. The Western Balkans are becoming the greatest test of the EU’s stability and fundamental values.”

prof. dr. Milada Polišenska

Thesis 11:
“University students as a driving force of the 20th century Czech history: without the students, there would be no Velvet Revolution.”

assoc. prof. dr Dejan Valentinčič

Thesis 10:
“Equalising the rights of historical minorities that have lived in a particular area for centuries with those of more recent minorities that were forcibly relocated to an area is harmful both to historical and newer minorities, as well as to states.”

dr. Peter J. Verovšek

Thesis 9:
“The future of a united Europe depends on its ability to create supranational frameworks of political memory that can lead to dialogue between different views of the past, which currently divide the EU. Only through the transformation of different national European transnational public spheres can the EU create a relationship to the past in the present that leads to a common future.”

ambassador dr Božo Cerar

Thesis 8:
“Only a talented, well-rounded, highly trained and thoroughly prepared diplomat can successfully lead a diplomatic-consular mission in a given country.”

ambassador dr Andrej Benedejčič

Thesis 7:
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has once again reinforced the idea of Russian great-power status and the notion of Slavic unity, while at the same time making the outcome of this conflict, as well as its long-term consequences, even more unpredictable.”

dr. Uroš Lipušček

Thesis 6:
“Pax Sinica cannot become a substitute for Pax Americana. China will therefore never become a power that would replace American global hegemony.”

prof. dr. Matej Avbelj

Thesis 5:
“Constitutional backsliding in Hungary and Poland is not only a legal issue, but also a political problem that has accumulated within the EU since 2004. Responsibility for it lies with both the states concerned and the EU institutions. If legal, political and broader social tensions, compounded by cultural competition, continue to intensify, the most realistic — though strategically not necessarily optimal — solution may be the development of a multi-speed Europe.”

ambassador Adrian Pollmann

Thesis 4:
“In a time of ever growing challenges and uncertainties the new German government will continue to be a reliable partner for our allies, a strong advocate for European integration and a staunch promoter of human rights around the world.”

assoc. prof. dr Jerneja Penca

Thesis 3:
“The outcome of the Glasgow climate negotiations reflects the complex nature of the climate regime: states’ commitments play a central role, while there are no political or structural frameworks for ensuring their implementation.”

ambassador Roman Kirn

Thesis 2:
“The United States played a crucial role in shaping the existing international order and remains a country of key importance for its defence as well as for its future.”

ambassador Jelko Kacin

Thesis 1:
“For small allied states, NATO — an institutionalised collective defence alliance with permanent military and political structures — has long represented the most effective, least expensive and most reliable means of ensuring security and defence for its member states, and for the time being remains irreplaceable.”

Student Conference

ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Student Conference on International Relations is the central academic project of Globallis. Together with the Chair of International Relations and the Centre of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, we create a space where student research moves beyond an initial idea, reaches an audience and gains opportunities for further development.

CONFERENCE ARCHIVE

2021 – Pilot Edition

It all began with a simple idea: to give students a platform where they could present their research to an academic audience for the first time. The majority of participants were undergraduate students gaining their first experience of presenting their work and taking part in an academic discussion.

2022 - Programme Expansion

In its second year, the programme developed a more structured format and expanded to six thematic panels. Students presented their research independently and, under the guidance of experts in international relations and related fields, received concrete feedback for further development of their work.

2023 - International Expansion

The third conference moved beyond the local level. For the first time, it lasted two days and brought together 62 participants from 17 universities. Contributions were more diverse and higher-quality. In addition, a third part of the programme was introduced, intended for doctoral students.

2024 - Strengthening Cooperation

The community surrounding the conference began to acquire a truly international character. It brought together 30 master’s and doctoral students as well as 16 members of the academic committee. Representatives of European universities from Budapest, Zagreb and Trieste also joined the programme, while the event was honoured by a visit from Peter Grk.

2025 - Development of the Mentoring Process

The fifth edition introduced an important substantive upgrade. Research sessions featured 38 students, supported by 15 professors and researchers from universities in ten European countries. Each participant was given a selected mentor who accompanied them throughout the research process, from the initial research outline to the final presentation.

2026 - Sixth Edition

The sixth conference was held under the title Knowledge as a Form of Resistance: Student Perspectives on Power, Crisis and Change in the International Community. More than 80 students explored questions that continue to shape international relations today, from conflicts and climate crises to technology and shifts in the balance of power.

7th Student Conference

The year 2027 will bring the 7th Student Conference on International Relations. We invite students who want to develop their own research project, present it to the wider academic community and receive expert feedback that can help them take their work further. Your idea could be the starting point of the next important discussion.

APPLICATIONS

Applications for active participation in and attendance at the conference will be submitted through the official application form, which will include the application deadlines, participation requirements and guidelines for preparing a research proposal. For additional information, please contact us at konferenca@globallis.org.