The programme placed students at its very centre. It was specifically designed to provide them with a tangible understanding of the diverse ways in which research can be presented and embedded in professional dialogue. Accordingly, a wide range of formats was incorporated throughout the day: alongside traditional plenary lectures, participants engaged with student conference presentations, fast-paced and interactive “Speech Date” sessions, as well as simulation-based and informal, experience-oriented activities. Attendees remained actively involved throughout, with presentations generating considerable interest and a high number of questions, reflecting both the intellectual engagement and openness of the student community.

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In the plenary session, Gizem Gültekin-Várkonyi delivered a presentation on behalf of Zoltán Pető, focusing on humanitarian work carried out in the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye. Márkó Szilveszter Macskovich presented his field experiences in Afghanistan, offering a detailed account of his work conducted in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). His presentation, grounded in personal experience, provided a comprehensive insight into local conditions as well as the practical challenges of humanitarian operations.

Within the framework of the student research session, three students presented their work: Gréta Virág (“Identity boundary-making in international relations: the case of pan-Africanism, Mali and Mozambique”), Roland Bíró (“The handling of digital evidence in establishing individual criminal responsibility under international law”), and Fruzsina Nánai (“International legal challenges related to the regulation of lethal autonomous weapon systems”). The presentations demonstrated not only thorough academic preparation but also independent, creative thinking and a strong sensitivity to contemporary international issues.

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The afternoon programme further reinforced the international character of the event. As part of the Culture Shopping initiative, participants presented elements of various cultures, including those of Syria, Uzbekistan, Hungary, the Comoros, Laos, Türkiye, Morocco and Tunisia. The event was also honoured by a visit from the Dean of the Faculty.

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Particular interest surrounded the geopolitical simulation entitled “Who rules Middle-earth?”, during which students, representing Rivendell, Rohan, Gondor and Mordor, debated the fate of the One Ring. The session concluded with a joint reflection on the parallels between the simulation and real-world international relations, with particular emphasis on the role of international organisations and the significance of power narratives.

Finally, the Speech Date programme provided an opportunity for students to present their research topics in a concise and structured format, thereby fostering direct and dynamic academic exchange.

The event was organised by Réka Szaniszló and Gizem Gültekin, assistant lecturers at the International and Regional Studies Institute. The programme successfully contributed to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the various modes of presenting research, as well as the functioning of international academic discourse.

The programme was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation under the project “From Secondary School to the National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference (OTDK)” – coordinated talent identification and development programme of the Faculty of Law, University of Szeged (project code: NTP-HHTDK-25-0080).