Universalism and Particularism in European Contemporary History
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Dr. Julia Korniichuk

Dr. Julia Korniichuk

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Work group

Religion and Secularity

Julia Korniichuk received her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University (Ukraine). She has taught Ukrainian culture, Religious Studies, and Religion and Politics at both the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University and the University of Warsaw (Poland). Her work on religion and politics has been supported by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, the International Visegrad Fund, the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, and Indiana University Bloomington. Her research and teaching interests encompass the role of religion in domestic and foreign affairs, Eastern Orthodoxy, Ukrainian culture and decolonisation, and religion and European integration.

Research Project

Freedom of Religion and Its Limits in EU Relations with Orthodox Churches

As of today, two-thirds of EU accession candidate states are countries with a strong Orthodox majority. These countries are characterised by a specific relationship between religion and politics, which often poses a challenge to their democratisation process, particularly in the context of their alignment with the EU. This extends beyond traditionally "problematic" issues such as reproductive rights or sexual minorities. The stance of certain Orthodox churches during the 2015 migrant crisis, the weak reaction to the use of religious organisations as a tool of propaganda against the EU, and the inability to condemn the use of religion in the Russian war against Ukraine are just a few recent examples. Simultaneously, the Euro-integration movement in these countries is significantly rooted in religious considerations, thereby complicating the situation beyond the stereotypical confrontation between secular-liberal institutions and conservative churches. The aim of this study is to investigate differences in the understanding of religious freedom and beliefs in shaping relations between Orthodox churches and European Union institutions, particularly in cases where the right to religious freedom conflicts with other democratic rights.