Text and Photos by KAS 2 WEG

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Manila Studies Program (MSP), in collaboration with KAS 2 WEG students and the Organization of Area Studies Majors, hosted the Area Studies Lecture Series on March 19, 2025, with Dr. Abel Polese, Senior Research Fellow at Dublin City University as guest speaker.

Delving on the topic “Non-Traditional Processes of Nation-Building in Post-Soviet Central Asia,” Dr. Polese discussed how nation-building extends beyond formal state processes, emphasizing the role of everyday practices, cultural traditions, economic strategies, and social interactions in shaping national identity. He highlighted that even informal networks and shared experiences influence how people perceive themselves as part of a nation.

Associate Professor and MSP Convenor Wensley Reyes responded to the lecture, noting that it challenges the idea of nation-building as solely a top-down process. He emphasized the need for further study of diverse national identity formation processes globally.#

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