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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200118
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20200117T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T195549Z
UID:5402-1579215600-1579301999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - secondary schools eui  - Niccólo RINALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on: The free movement of persons and the dynamics and memoire of mobility in the EU. Numerous meetings will be held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues. The meeting was attended by our member Niccólo RINALDI.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-17-january-2020/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191212
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20191209T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T155024Z
UID:4200-1575846000-1576105199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:FRANCE - UNIVERSITY OF LE MANS - Maria Gabriela ZOANA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Université du Mans invited a former Member to participate in the talks and discussions on current issues in Europe including: environment\, digitalisation\, public policies\, migration\, taxation\, functioning of the EU institutions. \nThe talks were attended by our member Maria Gabriela ZOANA.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9015″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8897″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/france-university-of-le-mans-9-11-december-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/LeMANS1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191117
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191122
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20191109T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200917T141932Z
UID:5468-1574031600-1574377199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:GERMANY- UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN - Sean O NEACHTAIN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Georg-August Universität Göttingen invited a former Member to participate in the talks and discussions on: “The challenges to and of the European Union” & “The EU as an international actor and the changing role of the EU post-Brexit” \nThe talks were attended by our member Sean O Neachtain. You can find here below his article published in the March 2020 FMA Bulletin[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Visit to Georg-August University\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000da0″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]I was delighted to represent the FMA at the Georg- August University in Gottingen recently to speak to the students who were participating in the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme “Euroculture-Society\, politics and culture in a global context“. The theme of the conference was “The role of the European Parliament & Challenges to and of the European Union: The EU as an international actor”\, “National Identity/Europeanness/Citizenship & BREXIT” and “EU Careers”. The University of Göttingen is an internationally renowned research university. Founded in 1737 it offers a comprehensive range of subjects across 13 faculties. With over 30\,000 students and offering up to 212 degree courses\, the University is one of the largest in Germany. Amongst its alumni are Gerhard Schroder former Chancellor of Germany and the new President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Lynn.\nThe Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme “Euroculture – Society\, politics and culture in a global context” partly financed by the European Commission is a transdisciplinary\, international and inter-university project. Ever since the establishment of the Programme in 1999\, Euroculture was used as a concept to reflect in an interdisciplinary way on the many different expressions and manifestations of self-understandings of societies\, social groups and individuals of\, about\, within and beyond Europe. \n \nMy attendance at the lectures was over two days and the students being international led to an interesting debate on the various topics that were discussed. The first session concerned the challenges facing the European Union. I covered the usual challenges like Migration\,\nAgeing Europe\, Climate Change and particularly the challenge for the European Institutions to connect with its citizens. As a former member of the Committee of the Regions I stressed the importance of the often quoted saying that all politics is local. The European Union\nneeds to get its message across to the ordinary citizens in a clear unambiguous manner.\nWe also discussed the challenge that Brexit has presented and the implications that the United Kingdom’s leaving the Union would have. As a former member of the European Parliament representing Ireland I reiterated that I regretted very much that the people of\nthe UK voted to leave the EU in the referendum of 2016. Again\, I expressed that like the other\nchallenges the member states working together would be stronger as a unit than any one country on its own.\nThe second day concentrated on my own experience as a member of the European Parliament. I was delighted that the students had researched my political background and one student from Wales referred to my involvement in making the Irish language a working language of the EU. I spoke of my belief that Europe is united by its diversity and\nmy native Irish language was of great importance and a source of pride to me during my time as an MEP.\nDuring this session a talk was given by Andreas Kumar\, EU Careers Ambassador at the University on careers in the European Institutions. This was a comprehensive account\nand the students took great interest in the information given. I would like to thank all the students who participated and the staff who organised the conference especially\nMarc Arwed Ruthe\, the coordinator of the Euroculture programme. My thanks also to Dr. Lars Klein\, senior lecturer and Professor Simon Fink\, Director of Studies.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“The visit of former MEP Seán Ó Neachtain to the Erasmus Mundus courses in the Georg-August Universität Göttingen was an edifying opportunity for the students to be presented with a realistic and empirical approach to the work and negotiations that happen in a variety of political levels in Europe\, emphasizing the EU Institutions’ level and namely the European Parliament. Throughout three extensive and comprehensive sessions\, the former MEP detailed his political actions and the political processes in the Committee of Regions and the European Parliament\, and his personal experience and path in the political career in the EU. Mr Neachtain also provided us with information and insights regarding political groups and their emergence\, changes over time in the EU political sphere\, and his work in the adoption of Irish as an official working language in the EU.”Anaiz Dessartre Mendonça – Student at the University of Göttingen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/germany-university-of-gottingen-18-21-november-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/goettingon-logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191016
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191019
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20191007T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T154214Z
UID:5473-1571266800-1571439599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN STUDIES - Michael DETJEN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The XIII Congress of the Ukrainian Association of European Studies in Odessa developed a programme for academics\, experts\, civil servants\, researchers and students interested in EU-Ukraine relations and EU affairs in general focused on: New Strategies For The Cooperation between Ukraine and The European Union in The Times Of Global Crisis. \nThe Congress was attended by our member Michael Detjen. Here below you can read his report that was published on the March 2020 FMA Bulletin[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”UNITY IN DIVERSITY:\nReport on the 13th Annual Congress of the Ukrainian European Studies Association” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230003b5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]On 17 October 2019\, on behalf of the Odessa Regional Institute of Public Administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine\, Dr Mykola Izha welcomed the participants at this year’s congress\, the theme of which was ‘New Strategies for the Cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union in the Times of Global Crisis’. Sechy Orlov\, representative of Ukraine’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Odessa\, subsequently gave an account of the current situation in Ukraine\, saying that the war in Ukraine was extremely dangerous for Europe and that it was incomprehensible that the daily fatalities because of the clashes in East Ukraine went virtually unnoticed in Europe. The congress was wide-ranging\, with themes including democratic constitutions\, human rights and enforcement thereof\, war and international law and environmental protection. Speakers went into the fact that both the constitutional and other material differences in the EU and the resulting demands made on Ukraine were complex and had to be taken into account in any process of establishing closer ties. Other important themes were: the major efforts being made to achieve decentralisation and make improvements as regards the separation of powers\, so as to drive forward necessary changes\, and action to draw together Ukrainian interests under an umbrella organisation in Brussels. Igor Todorov commented that\, from a Ukrainian perspective\, it made sense and was necessary to expand free trade and open it up further. \nWhy does Europe need Ukraine\, and why does Ukraine need Europe? A suitable answer can probably only be given to that fascinating question by considering the dwindling role of nation-states in conjunction with global developments concerning both environmental pollution and interlinked global workflows. Only a Europe that is united and diverse will have a voice on the world stage that is heeded. \n \nThe link between education and democratic development was a further theme at the 13th Annual Congress of the Ukrainian European Studies Association. With regard to the development of democracy in Ukraine\, Roman Petrov pointed out in his paper that\, for example\, moving between education management and government was thought to be difficult and that that concerned all administrative personnel. There was also a thorough discussion of raising awareness of democratic structures and the issue of corruption. Petrov came to the conclusion that difficulties with combating corruption and the separation of powers had not been adequately resolved to date\, from a Ukrainian perspective\, despite the positive influence of ongoing decentralisation. Stefan Lorenzmeier gave an account of what defined free and fair elections\, from a German perspective\, and highlighted the problematic issue of\, inter alia\, the propagandist power of various interest groups that stemmed from the control they exercised over their own media outlets\, for instance. I myself commented on current developments in Ukraine. This focused not only on developments to date and EU expectations regarding democratic\, transparent and corruption-free governance\, but also on an appraisal of the situation of the EU in the light of Brexit and the appointment of the new Commission. \nValentyna Kryvtsova chaired a critical discussion on ‘legal resilience in a modern world’ between Igor Todorov and Oksana Holocko-Havrysheva. The issue of sustainable\, flexible and consistent law-making was central to democracy\, in particular in connection with present-day political challenges. The institutional resilience of democratic law-making to internal and external stress factors and shocks was closely bound up with social stability. \nThe conference – given over to establishing closer ties between Ukraine and the EU – was engrossing. Thanks go to the organisers of the event and to the working group moderators.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ukraine-ukrainian-association-of-european-studies-17-18-october-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ukraine.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190801
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190701T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T153624Z
UID:5477-1561935600-1564613999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY- LUISS GUIDO CARLI UNIVERSITY - Enrique BARON CRESPO
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A former member was invited to participate to the Summer Programme on “Parliamentary democracy in Europe”\, which was devoted to Parliamentary Elections and Democratic Accountability in the Age of Populism. The event was attended by our member Enrique Barón Crespo. Here below you can read his report that was published on the September 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Luiss Summer School- July 2019:\nReport on the Summer Programme at the University LUISS Guido Carli” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001fad” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]To wrap up the eighth edition of the LUISS Summer School ‘Parliamentary Democracy in Europe’\, the topic for which was ‘Parliamentary Elections and Democratic Accountability in the Era of Populism’\, on 19 July 2019\, a conference was held at the University LUISS Guido Carli in Rome on ‘Euroscepticism and the “new” European Parliament: what will happen after the 2019 elections?’. \nOn account of its speakers\, interest in the conference was high: former EP President Enrique Barón Crespo; Nicola Lupo\, a lecturer at LUISS; and Jan Wouters\, a lecturer at KU Leuven. Cristina Fasone\, Director of the Jean Monnet Programme supported by the FMA\, introduced subjects such as the challenges to be addressed in the next parliamentary term; the future role of Eurosceptic groups in Europe; the influence of Eurosceptic MEPs on the legislative procedure and interinstitutional relations after Brexit; potential opportunities for the Eurosceptics and nationalists. \nWhen presenting his positive vision for Europe\, President Barón Crespo pointed out that\, despite the wide range of electoral systems had been used\, turnout at the European elections had been high (+10%) and it was not the euro but the strengthening of borders that had been the focus of discussions: the values and principles of the Lisbon Treaty have been completely overridden by the ‘Fiscal Compact’. ‘The challenges ahead are: cooperation\, immigration\, the budget\, foreign policy\, defence and security\, unemployment\, climate change (to be tackled by means of a ‘Green Deal’)\, and trade agreements such as the recent EU-Mercosur agreement; but the real revolution will be to achieve gender parity\, as new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said. And the codecision procedure is fundamental in a European Parliament that is increasingly politicised\, as reflected in inappropriate calls for voting by secret ballot\, and which the British do not seem to want to leave\, having continued to play a key role in the election of Parliament’s President and in the Committees’. \n \nAll the speakers noted the Eurosceptics’ desire to obstruct integration of any kind\, by slowing the pace of reforms and decision-making\, and considered how majorities would be formed\, depending on the subjects under discussion in the European Parliament\, during a term which would be anything but boring. \nAfter the conference\, we took part in the General Assembly of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies\, chaired by Andrea Manzella\, who in his address spoke of the unpredictable phenomenon of emotions-based populism and – as he stated in Il Parlamento europeo\, una introduzione (The European Parliament: an Introduction)\, which he co-authored with Nicola Lupo – he believes that a sovereigntist presence in Parliament is ‘useful\, if not essential’ because it provides ‘internal opposition to the system’. It is a minority which can stimulate a response and is not a hostile force large enough to block European integration: it will\, therefore\, be necessary to step up joint action by the European Parliament and national parliaments to bring about parliamentary cooperation\, as laid down in the Treaties establishing the European Union\, where the sovereigntists are recognised as the official opposition in an internal European area. Marta Dassù\, Director of Aspenia\, shares these views. She believes that changing the rules is essential to prevent the emergence of entrenched policy positions that are not open to challenge\, and that Parliament should be able to initiate legislation with a view to bolstering common foreign and defence policy\, on the basis of the economy and security\, and regaining trust in the Member States. Personally\, I believe that the role of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will also be decisive. \nBy Monica Baldi[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-luiss-guido-carli-university-july-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/luiss-logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190514
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190518
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190501T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T152230Z
UID:5481-1557874800-1558133999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ROMANIA- ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA UNIVERSITY OF IASI - Birgit DAIBER
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8263″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Sources” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230008ad” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text el_class=”download-box-list”] \n\nReport\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited a former Member to participate in the 3rd International Conference on European Financial Regulation (EUFIRE). The attendees were academics\, researchers\, students\, practitioners\, policy makers\, business and civil society representatives interested in the topic of EU financial regulation. The Conference was attended by our member Birgit Daiber. Here below you can read her report that was published on the September 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A visit to the Easternmost University in the EU:\nReport on the 3rd International Conference on European Financial Regulation (EUFIRE)” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi is not only the easternmost university in the EU\, it is also the oldest in Romania. It was founded in 1860\, and many of its buildings date from before the First World War\, when Romania was rich and could afford to be ostentatious. The 26000 young people who study here do so in a very special atmosphere. The university has not only a large number of halls of residence\, restaurants\, parks\, libraries\, secondhand street bookstalls (people still read in the old-fashioned way beside the large IT faculty) and a beautiful botanical garden\, but also its own hotel for academic colleagues who come to visit. The university maintains an active international exchange programme and encourages its students to join the Erasmus Programme. The teachers say that 8000 of its students have already taken part since its inception. The 2-day campus seminar was organised by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration as part of the university’s ‘Europe week’ and was coordinated by Professors Irina Bilan and Marius Apostoaie. Nearly 100 students took part. The overall theme of the seminar was European Monetary Union. \n \nMy presentation was about the history of monetary union\, which was established as the sole\, highly-specific project in the triad of monetary\, economic and political union under the Maastricht Treaty. Of particular interest to the students were the fiscal regulations introduced during and after the financial crisis in order to stabilise the single currency. There was harsh criticism of the fact that the regulations remain severely underpowered and that the international fiscal situation is still in a critical state\, particularly as a result of the enormous growth in shadow banking. There was a great deal of well-informed interest shown not only in monetary union but also in European democracy\, with the European elections approaching. \n \nSo what is special about European democracy? Is it the fact that the European Parliament now has considerable power which\, however\, is in the form of co-decision rights\, so that the Council of Ministers still holds the reins? Or that decisionmaking – including in Parliament – is always constrained by the need to compromise? How far did this Parliament have to come before there were direct elections\, and how many long and bitter debates were there before it became what it is now (and the debates are by no means finished)? The lively discussion wound up with a move to convince the students that the unfinished nature of the EU as a construct and the fact that this Europe always was and still is a work in progress is precisely the reason why they should devote time and attention to it in large measure. \nBy Birgit Daiber[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/romania-alexandru-ioan-cuza-university-of-iasi-15-17-may-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/uaic_iasi.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190506
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190509
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190501T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T152040Z
UID:5485-1557183600-1557356399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:TURKEY- IZMIR UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS - Robert EVANS
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe event had as its main theme “EU Environment and Climate Policy” and how the EU institutions work in practice and what factors shape EU’s decision-making (concrete cases\, e.g. EP-Commission relations\, EP-Council negotiations\, party politics in the EP)\, or the EU’s environmental/climate politics\, or EU-Turkey relations. \nFMA Member Robert EVANS\,participated in the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A VISIT TO IZMIR 6 – 8 MAY 2019\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230d00cc” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]It would be near impossible not to be impressed with Izmir. Situated in western Turkey on the shores of the Aegean Sea\, Izmir takes its name from the Amazon Queen Smyrna. Today it is Turkey’s third largest city – after Istanbul and the capital Ankara. It is a young and dynamic place (almost half of its population of 4 million are under the age of 30) with a public transport system that works well including a fast-developing eighteen station metro. Historically\, Izmir has been home to many different cultures and religions\, from the Persians and Ancient Greeks\, to the Romans and Ottomans. \nToday\, it is also home to the Izmir University of Economics (Izmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi) which was my destination in May on behalf of the Former Members of the European Parliament. Professor Dr. Alexander Bürgin had invited me to speak with his students about issues ranging from EU foreign policy and Turkey to the future of Europe after Brexit. Izmir University has some 8000 students and is part-housed in a former luxury hotel building! \nMany of the university’s courses are conducted in English and almost all the students I met spoke the language fluently. The university has Erasmus Plus agreements with some 168 universities spread across 26 countries in addition to academic cooperation protocol with another 41 universities. My talk to Professor’s Bürgin’s PhD students was on EU governance and procedures. We discussed preparations for the 2019 elections and ways in which the EU might engage more closely with its citizens. It was noted however\, that many surveys show the EU’s policy making to be closer to the aspirations of its citizens than those of many national governments. \nMy stay in Turkey coincided with the Supreme Election Council’s controversial decision to order a re-run of Istanbul’s recent mayoral election over alleged irregularities. Despite this\, in discussion with the MSc students\, I expressed optimism for Turkey’s future relations with the EU. Turkey\, certainly Istanbul and Izmir\, seem economically as advanced and European in outlook\, as many other cities in the EU. True\, there are some serious issues to be addressed but it would be foolish for us to close the door on Turkey’s membership application at this most sensitive time. In my discussion with undergraduates on the European studies course\, the debate inevitably concentrated on Brexit. \nFormer prime minister David Cameron’s naive decision to call a referendum in the hope of uniting his Conservative Party has spectacularly backfired. The British Conservatives are more divided then ever\, the opposition Labour Party (my own party) confused to say the least and the country split from top to bottom. How the UK will successfully move forward in its relations with the EU are\, at the time of writing unknown. Were the decisions to be left in the hands of the well-informed young people at Izmir University\, who knows\, we might make progress and reach more sensible agreements! And so\, all too quickly\, my visit to Izmir was over and I headed home\, my mind full of positive images and memories.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/turkey-izmir-university-of-economics-7-8-may-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Izmir-University-of-Economics-IUE-logo-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190505
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190508
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190501T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T151943Z
UID:5489-1557097200-1557269999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY- UNIVERSITY OF ROME TOR VERGATA - John IVERSEN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited a Former Member to an interdisciplinary international conference on the European Parliament. The conference was funded by EACEA\, and involved not only scholars and policymakers\, but intended to target mainly doctoral students and students.\nA former member was invited to explain how a European parliamentarian works. The conference was attended by our member John Iversen. Here below you can read his report that was published on September 2020 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”TOWARDS THE EP ELECTIONS OF MAY 2019:\nReport on interdisciplinary international conference on the European Parliament” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001ea5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]I was invited to attend a conference on May 6-7 in Rome at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Here\, about 120 PHD students from the university were gathered for a conference on the just-passed European Parliament elections. There was a wide range of very exciting presentations on the European Parliament’s evolution from an assembly of designated parliamentarians from the six original EC countries to a directly elected European Parliament of 751 members with a profound influence on the virtual all areas of EU legislative activity. The conference was organized by the University of Rome at the Vergata and AUSE star of the Associazione Universitaria di Studi Europei. It was also supported by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union\, and the European Parliament Former Members Association. \nThe conference was led by the president of AUSE Daniela Felsini of the University of Rome Tor Vergata\, and the Secretary-General of AUSE Francesco Velo\, of the University of Pavia. \nIn my speech\, I reviewed the special feature of the European Parliament as a supranational parliament. • It is the world’s most\nfar-reaching experiment in transnational democracy. \n• It is obligatory to operate in three different locations rather than have one single seat. \n• It is multilingual to a degree unknown elsewhere. \n• Like the US Congress\, but unlike national parliaments\, no government emerges directly from a majority in Parliament. \n \n• Its members come from a fixed number of national political parties. In my presentation\, I reviewed the development of the European Parliament’s power and influence from the Assembly with 142 indirectly elected members in 1958 until the first direct elections in 1979 and up to the recent elections of 23-26 May 2019. In addition\, we discussed how\, over the years\, the European Parliament has succeeded in moving from being a Parliament with limited influence to today\, where Europe has a decisive influence on most policy areas. The evolution from being a Parliament that just had to be heard and to a European Parliament where all the EU legislation requires approval form the European Parliament has only lasted 40 years. \nIn a year where it is both 40 years since we had the first direct election and 40 years ago that Jean Monnet died\, it must be said to be quite\nimpressive that the European Parliament today is really one of the two legislative chambers of the European union. The debate was lively and it was very well organized. Thanks to the University of Rome Tor Vegata and AUSE – Associazione Universitaria di Studi Europei for the invitation to represent the European Parliament Former Members Association.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-university-of-rome-tor-vergata-6-7-may-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/EP-to-campus-heading.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190419
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190401T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T151408Z
UID:5493-1555369200-1555628399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ROMANIA- BABES-BOLYAI UNIVERSITY CLUJ - Gyula HEGYI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited a former Member to participate in a conference on “Democracy without liberalism – dealing with populism in the EU”. \nThe Congress was attended by our member Gyula Hegyi. Here below you can read her report that was published on the December 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”DEBATES IN CLUJ:\nReport on the Conference in Babes- Bolyai University” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001dc1″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Babes-Bolyai University (UBB Cluj-Napoca) is one of the biggest universities in Romania. Around 41000 students study there\, making Cluj a flourishing\, youthful city. This university\, commonly known by its abbreviation ‘UBB’\, works closely with the European Parliament and the Former Members Association (FMA). I was invited to give three lectures on 16\, 17 and 18 April 2019 as part of our joint programme. As I was invited to Cluj just before the European elections\, I obviously had to concentrate on the opportunities and risks associated with those elections. \nI was initially a little surprised to be asked to give three long lectures on three different topics\, but the presence of so many young students (40-60 on the different occasions) and the warm welcome of the assistant professors made it a rather easy task. The title of my first lecture was ‘On the importance of the European Elections’. I spoke about the importance of the European Parliament as the EU body that represents EU citizens and explained its role in the EU decision-making process. After my lecture\, the students asked many questions concerning the danger of populism and the chances of the pro-European and the Eurosceptic forces. It was very inspiring to discover that all the students were pro-European and to hear them condemn the extreme nationalist tendencies in Romania and all over in Europe. Of course\, as a former Hungarian MEP I was also asked about the influence of Viktor Orbán and tried to answer correctly. My next lecture on ‘Democracy without liberalism – dealing with populism in the EU’ was a direct follow-up to the first one. I tried to point out that we can combat illiberal tendencies\, but that it’s impossible to do so without a fair and sound social policy. The main source of populism is a widespread fear of poverty and social and economic uncertainty\, and the feeling of being neglected by the traditional political parties. It’s not enough to condemn populism: we should also fight for a Social Europe. \n \nSome students did\, however\, defend capitalism and condemn any kind of socialist tendency. We had an enjoyable discussion on the role that Member States and the European Community have to play in balancing economic freedom with social justice. On the third day\, I held a workshop on ‘Career opportunities in EU studies’. Given the importance of the topic\, I made some slides to show the students all the websites that provide information on the various EU-related scholarships\, trainee programmes\, volunteering opportunities etc. I also spoke about the role of MEP assistants and the FMA’s own trainee programme. The students seemed to be really interested in participating in one of those programmes to complement their European Studies degrees. \nI also met Professor Mihaela Lutas\, the Vice Rector of the UBB\, and we agreed that our joint programmes are extremely important. I thanked him for his hospitality and we agreed to continue the partnership between the FMA and the UBB.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/romania-babes-bolyai-university-cluj-16-18-avril-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hegyi.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190407
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190410
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190401T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T151005Z
UID:5497-1554678000-1554850799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ISRAEL- BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY - Hans-Gert PÖTTERING
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]FMA President\, Hans-Gert Pöttering attended an international conference marking Simone Veil’s life; to discuss her impact on French and European politics and contribution to key societal issues of our time.\nThe event also served to unveil the new title of the Centre for the Study of Politics and Society (CSEPS)\, which became the ‘The Simone Veil Research Centre for Contemporary European Studies’. \nThe international conference was attended by our President Hans-Gert Pöttering. Here below you can read his report that was published on June 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SIMONE VEIL REMEMBERED IN ISRAEL:\nREPORT ON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE BEN GURION UNIVERSITY” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230013a5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society (CSEPS) of the Ben Gurion University in Beersheba\, Israel\, has decided to adopt a new name in honour of the late Simone Veil. \nAs of the 2018 academic year\, CSEPS has taken on its new name of ‘The Simone Veil Research Centre for Contemporary European Studies.’ The Research Centre’s new name was officially unveiled in an international conference\, from the 8th to 10th of April\, that commemorated Simone Veil’s life and legacy in European politics. The FMA President Hans-Gert Pöttering attended the conference and was asked to give the students some insight on the life and political career of Simone Veil. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering\, personally voted for President Simone Veil in 1979\, when he was a newly elected member of the European Parliament\, told the panel about his personal experiences with the esteemed politician. The two former EP Presidents shared their views on a unified Europe and the important role of a strong Franco-German relationship. \n \nIn 2010 Simone Veil and Hans- Gert Pöttering collaborated on writing and signing an editorial on the Franco-German relation for the German and French media: “Germany is fundamentally committed to stability\, while France proposes ‘economic governance’. The two points of view are complementary and lead to the defence of both the stability of the euro and the social market economy (a term of German origin\, Soziale Marktwirtschaft) as defined in the Lisbon Treaty\, to defend the competitiveness of our economies and the security of our jobs. To this\nend\, France and Germany will have to put forward joint proposals for political and economic strategy” they wrote together. \nDr. Pöttering also participated in a panel discussion on ‘The European Parliament since 1979: Actors\, Issues and New Developments’. The panel was chaired by  Professor Sharon Pardo\, a senior Researcher at The Simone Veil Research Centre. The other speakers were Professor Dani Filc\, Dr. Sarah Kahn-Nisser and Dr. Maurits Meijers. The panel discussed the evolution of actors\, issues and new developments in the European Parliament since ‘79.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/israel-ben-gurion-university-8-9-avril-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pöttering-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190320
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190322
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T143710Z
UID:5505-1553122800-1553209199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:SPAIN- UNIVERSITY OF DEUSTO - Francisca SAUQUILLO PÉREZ DEL ARCO
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited Francisca Sauquillo Pérez Del Arco to participate in the Jean Monnet conference: Political and economic legitimacy of the European union in current time. \nA report in Spanish is available here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”9009″][vc_column_text] \nFrancisca SAUQUILLO PÉREZ DEL ARCO with students  \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/spain-university-of-deusto-21-march-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/deusto.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190319
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190323
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T143112Z
UID:5501-1553036400-1553295599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED KINGDOM- De MONTFORT UNIVERSITY IN LEICESTER -Seán O NEACHTAIN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9065″][vc_column_text]The University invited two former Members to participate in a series of events held from 20 to 22 March 2019 with the topic Britain and the European Union after Brexit. The event took place in the context of the work of the University Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in European Governance on the reform and future direction of the European Union. The event was organized the week before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. \nSeán Ó NEACHTAIN participated in these event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”9076\,9085\,9083\,9088″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/united-kingdom-de-montfort-university-in-leicester-20-22-march-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/de-monfort.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190318
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190321
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T135741Z
UID:5507-1552950000-1553122799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSORS AND RESEARCHERS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION - Andrew DUFF
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A former member was invited to participate to an international conference on “Uniting Europe: a quarter century of institutionalization of the EU-Ukraine relations”. The audience mainly consisted of representatives of academic community from Ukraine and foreign countries\, Jean Monnet projects coordinators and teaching members\, students and graduates\, representatives of NGOs\, national and international experts from a variety of professional backgrounds\, public officials\, policymakers. \nAndrew DUFF participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LVIV\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23002fb2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]In the run up to the presidential elections in Ukraine\, I was invited to participate in the annual conference of the Ukrainian Association of professors and researchers of European integration and the Ukrainian Association of international law. The event on 19-20 March was held in Lviv but gathered participants from across Ukraine\, including those displaced from Crimea and Donbass. \n \nThe centre of attention was Ukraine’s association agreement with the EU\, signed in 2014. Too few of the Ukrainian participant soffered in-depth analysis of the origins\, negotiation and ratification of the controversial agreement: more were concerned simply toxpress dissatisfaction at the alleged unfairness of the asymmetric treaty. It became apparent that the potential of the association agreement is not being well exploited by the government in Kiev. Politics inUkraine remains overwhelmed by corruption fuelled by oligarchs and radically de-stabilised by the Russian invasion. Civil society\, especially of a secular bent\, is weak. The EU is blamed for imposing harsh conditions that work to impede Ukraine’s ambitions to join it as a full member state. I explained the nature and purpose of the association agreement as seen from the EU\, and spelled out how problematic further enlargement now seems to be in general – and with regard to Ukraine in particular. I argued that the EU is at present too weak to contemplate its territorial expansion to Eastern Europe\, and described the factors which inform the debate on the ‘future of Europe’\, especially rule of law issues. Statements by Presiden tTusk that encourage Ukraine’s European aspirations do not reflect a Brussels consensus. Much interest was expressed in Brexit and many speakers drew analogies between the joint predicament of Ukraine and the UK on the outskirts of the Union. I argued that it is more difficult to leave the EU than to join it\, andp osed questions. Could Britain’s prospective association agreement offer hope to others\, including Ukraine? Is the Ukrainian association agreement a useful template for the British negotiations? \n \nAt a second event\, I spoke to a largec rowd of students from the (public)Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and the (private) UkrainianCatholic University. In a long andlively exchange of views I was struck bout how important it is for EU pokesmen to stress that the valuesand principles of the European Union are those of liberal democracy. Viktor Orban is not a good role model forEuropean students.I was also reminded how necessary it is for young people to have goodducation in the history of their ownnations. It was alarming that so fewstudents evinced interest in the storyof pre-Soviet Ukraine or seemednterested in connecting their historywith their future. Even in Lviv/Lvov/Lemberg one hundred years afterthe fall of the Habsburg monarchy\,there was no obvious effort to reflecton the history of this remarkablecity\, and people seemed especiallyindifferent to its previous Jewishcharacter.I am most grateful to the excellentorganisation and warm hospitality ofmy Ukrainian hosts. The value of theEP to Campus programme is much ppreciated. \n  \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ukrain-ukrainian-association-of-professors-and-researchers-of-european-integration-19-20-march-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/aprei.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190303
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190305
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T131054Z
UID:5513-1551654000-1551740399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED KINGDOM- UNIVERSITY OF BATH - Margarita STARKEVICUITE
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A former member was invited by the University of Bath to attend a roundtable session assessing the Lisbon Treaty 10 years after its implementation and the challenges Europe has faced since the Treaty. The member also shared their expertise with graduate students during several lectures. \nThe roundtable session was attended by our member Margarita STARKEVICIUTE. You can find here below her article that was published on the June 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”ROUNDTABLE ON THE TREATY OF LISBON IN BATH”][vc_column_text]The University of Bath received its royal charter in 1966. Over the years the College grew and moved from Bristol to Bath and today offers students a high-quality education\, as University ranked at 6th place among top UK universities in 2019. \nTotally 17 000 students study at the University of Bath\, non-UK residents comprise around 30 per cent and female students account for 45 per cent of the total number. University has its own Sports Training Village and students have an opportunity successfully balancing sporting career with studying. According to QS Global World Ranking in sports related subjects\, the University of Bath is among the ten best Universities in the world. University achievements in research also should be highlighted – 87 per cent of research is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent by the recent Research Excellence Network. Former MEP Margarita Starkeviciute upon request of the University of Bath took a part in a Roundtable Event on 10 Years of the Lisbon Treaty. The event was attended by Euromasters students\, and two University professors also were making short presentations on impact of the Lisbon Treaty on EU security and Trade policy. \nThe goal of the presentation on Lisbon strategy was to clarify the powers of the European Union and types of legal competence: exclusive competence\, shared competence and supporting competence. Public debates tend to exaggerate EU powers and students were interested to learn that the Treaty of Lisbon offers to the Member States a significant number of mechanisms for flexibility and an involvement of national parliaments in the decision-making process\, while to everyone it grants participatory democracy in form of citizen’s initiative. \n \nThe roundtable included one hour a Q&A session. Majority of questions were about the European Parliament role in the EU decision-making process. A group of undergraduate students  expressed an interest to chat about European careers\, so the afternoon was dedicated to a student-question driven session on the subject. Students were well informed about EU wide youth programs and consider them as relevant and useful. They got some more information on the posts open to young people at the different EU institutions and agencies. \nOn Tuesday a Master’s class in a module on International Trade was attended not only by the UK students but also by foreign students.Students were keen to learn about trade in digital services\, use of new  technologies like blockchain in trade\, protection of privacy. It was noted that obligation to protect privacy as a fundamental right and creation of a level playing field for technology companies could be achieved by setting a new policy framework in international negotiations. \nEU cities fair and ethical cities award results were presented as an example of how new policy can change the life of developing nations. The leading in this field EU Cities have a special policy that includes procurement\, establishing long term relations with partner cities and regions from developing countries and citizens’ education in fair trade programs. That creates a framework for maintaining direct contacts and promoting fair trade. \nThis policy allows ensuring more efficient aid programs to deprived regions and cities in Africa\, Asia and the Americas. During Q&A session students wanted to learn more about MEPs experience in international negotiations. A visit was very successful thanks to the well  prepared program by Dr Maria Garcia a representative of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Bath and FMA.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/united-kingdom-university-of-bath-4-march-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/bath1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190221
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190223
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T130410Z
UID:5517-1550790000-1550876399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Lycée Salvemini Luca d'Aosta - Gisela KALLENBACH
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9149″][vc_column_text]In the 2019 programme\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for secondary schools focusing on three main themes: European citizenship and school\, climate change\, and EU institutional reform. These themes were well received by secondary school students who showed great interest. Numerous meetings were held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues. \nOur member Gisela KALLENBACH participated in this meeting. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-salvemini-luca-daosta-22-february-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190218
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190220
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200706T091823Z
UID:5522-1550530800-1550617199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Liceo Machiavelli - Cristiana MUSCARDINI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: European citizenship and school\, climate change and the institutional reform of the EU. Numerous meetings were held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues.\nThe meeting with students from Liceo Machiavelli was attended by our member Cristiana MUSCARDINI.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-salvemini-luca-daosta-22-february-2019-2/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190215
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20200325T141230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200325T141230Z
UID:6584-1549926000-1550185199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:MAROC - Université internationale de Rabat - 12-14 FEVRIER 2019
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The International University in Rabat invited a former member to a conference in Morocco. The main theme of the event was on current EU policies with a focus on migration and human rights. The speaker gave lectures on International Migration and Human Rights in the Mediterranean as well as EU policies and the European- Mediterranean relations. \n>Per Gahrton[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/maroc-universite-internationale-de-rabat-12-14-fevrier-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/index.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190215
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T110652Z
UID:5525-1549926000-1550185199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:MOROCCO - INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RABAT - Per GAHRTON
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9166″][vc_column_text]The International University in Rabat invited a former member to a conference in Morocco. The main theme of the event was on current EU policies with a focus on migration and human rights. The speaker gave lectures on International Migration and Human Rights in the Mediterranean as well as EU policies and the European- Mediterranean relations. \nThe Conference was attended by our member Per GAHRTON. You can find here below his article published on the June 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A DISCUSSION ON MIGRATION IN RABAT\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000acc” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Morocco is unquestionably a country of strategic significance to the EU in many respects. That is particularly true with regard to migration\, which was one reason why the Université Internationale in Rabat wished to have an EU speaker at its conference on ‘International Migration and Human Rights in the Mediterranean’ on 14 February. As the person chosen under the FMA’s Campus programme to take on this role\, I tried to outline the EU’s current policies on migration and human rights. Coming from Sweden\, it was also natural for me to mention the crisis in 2015\, when Sweden accepted 170 000 asylumseekers\, as against the normal figure of 30\,000 – 40\,000\, while other EU countries  closed their borders\, built walls and in addition torpedoed the European Commission’s proposal for an equitable distribution of refugees. I observed that cooperation between EU and MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) countries was important in order to deal with migration in a humanitarian manner and in accordance with international law. At the same time\, I was aware that cooperation between the EU and Morocco is by no means uncomplicated. On 12 February\, while I was in Morocco\, the European Parliament approved by 415 votes to 189\, with 49 abstentions\, a fisheries agreement with Morocco which was also intended to apply to fisheries off Western Sahara\, even though the Court of Justice of the EU had ruled that an EU agreement with Morocco must not apply to Western Sahara. The decision was welcomed wholeheartedly in the Moroccan media and I was asked whether it should not be interpreted as a de facto recognition that Western Sahara belonged to Morocco. But on the European Commission’s website (12 February) it was stated that the agreement did not constitute a recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara. On the other hand\, it was stressed that Morocco was obliged to report to the EU that the agreement\, under which the EU was to pay Morocco EUR 160 million over four years\, was benefitting Western Sahara economically. \nWith regard to Sweden\, Al-Adath Al-Maghribiya stated that Sweden had supported the Polisario Front previously\, but had backtracked\, and representatives of Sweden’s Foreign Ministry now absolutely denied that there was any plan to recognise the Sahrawi Republic. \nSo what is the true state of affairs? Is not the whole EU in the process of backtracking from its united position on the UN’s demand for a referendum on the status of Western Sahara? Where Sweden is concerned\, many people suspect that a deal has been done: two Swedish governments\, one conservative and the other red-green\, have disregarded the Swedish Parliament’s decision of 2012 to recognise the Sahrawi Republic\, while Morocco has entered into cooperation with Sweden to take back the hundreds of Moroccan street children who suddenly turned up in Stockholm a year or two ago. \nAnd when\, despite the clear ruling delivered by the Court of Justice to the effect that no agreement between the EU and Morocco should apply to Western Sahara\, the European Parliament nonetheless approved a fisheries agreement that covered that territory\, did not that constitute a first step towards a retreat from the UN position? It is to be hoped that the talks recently initiated under the auspices of the UN will result in a peaceful solution. Perhaps not a sovereign Western Saharan state. But at least a separate\, autonomous region\, maybe like Scotland. And in some kind of union with Morocco. First\, however\, the referendum which was decided upon and which was supposed to have been held nearly 30 years ago\, must be carried out. \nObviously there are serious practical problems attached to this\, including that of deciding who should have the right to vote in it. But it is hard to imagine any solution being acceptable to all parties if it has not been supported in a referendum. This is a question of respect for international law and for the UN’s role in peace-making. And that is something for which the EU bears a huge amount of responsibility. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/morocco-international-university-rabat-12-14-february-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/index.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190203
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190209
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T110505Z
UID:5529-1549234800-1549666799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:INDIA - MANGALORE UNIVERSITY - Michael HINDLEY
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9182″][vc_column_text]The EP to Campus programme cooperated with Mangalore University. Michael Hindley was invited to India to speak present his views on important developments/ issues of European Union followed by discussion. The topic was related to relations with developing countries/India; global governance; contemporary developments in EU; security (EU and global conflict)/Cultural aspects. \nThe talks was attended for our member Michael HINDLEY. Here below you can find his article published on June 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”PUTTING DIVERSITY INTO GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE\nMission report\n” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%231800ce” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]I have had a long a happy relationship with India and was absolutely delighted when invited to be guest lecturer for the FMA at the University of Mangalore in Southern India. Mangalore\, on the coast of the state of Karnataka is certainly not on the tourist itinerary but given the beauty of its temples\, mosques and nearby hill country it certainly should be. Beyond tourist attractions Mangalore has the perhaps un-expected status as being amongst the 50 most “liveable” cities in the world in terms of quality of life and as such the highest rated Indian city. \nMore impressively Mangalore rates 12th world city in terms of health care. The University campus is in a leafy suburb has also an outreach centre in Chikka Aluvara. I gave lectures in both and was greeted with typical Indian courtesy and intellectual curiosity. The University also has a city centre University College\, where I also gave a lecture\, which offers evening MAs courses for professional who wish to increase their qualifications. This fulfils one of my own educational commitments and that is “life-long learning”. \nIn addition I also gave a guest lecturer at the University of Manipal\,  one of the mo st modern state of the art educational centres I have seen  anywhere in the world. One of the most attractive features of intellectual life in India is the politeness of the exchanges. There is seldom the feeling of trying to show how clever the questioner is. There is a sheer enjoyment of engagement without any inhibitions about disagreement. I also spoke to the local Chamber of Commerce and given the many commercial links which exists between India and the UK much concern was expressed about the effects of Brexit. \nConcern was also expressed also about EU/India relations. I have been acting as adviser to the European Economic and Social Committee on a report on the Commissions “EU/Asia Connectivity” ideas which frankly give scant regard to the sheer complexity of “Asia”. India is a difficult partner for the EU\, not least because its size gives it some counterbalance to the EU in bargaining power. “Europe” remains mainly a geographical concept\, not a political one. Audiences certainly know the major member states of the EU but the extent to which modern Europe is integrated within the EU remains only vaguely appreciated. \nMy personal host\, Professor Amin\, was a fund of information about India and arranged some wonderful sight-seeing excursions to temples\, mosques and the nearly hill stations in the Coorg region famous for its spices\, exotically flavoured wines and coffees. The multicultural character of India is staggering – and the facilities of Indians to use English as a lingua franca\, plus their mother tongue\, plus a local language is quite amazing. For those who rightly celebrate the diversity of Europe\, my advice is go to India\, to put our diversity into global perspective.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/india-mangalore-university-from-4-to-8-of-february-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mangalore.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190127
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190129
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T105413Z
UID:5533-1548630000-1548716399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Lycée Français Victor Hugo- Jean-Paul DENANOT
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9193″][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on: The free movement of persons and the dynamics and memories of mobility in the EU. Numerous meetings will be held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues. \nThe meeting was attended by our member Jean-Paul DENANOT. \nRead his article here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Mission report” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text] \n\n\n\nWelcomed by the management of the European University Institute of Archives in Florence\, I made two speeches\, one in front of students from the Victor Hugo High School who were participating in a com- petition on Europe and the next day in front of the think tank “Thoughts of Europe” made up of researchers and who are making a great effort to explain how the EU works in the perspective of the next European elections. With the students\, after having presented the functioning of the European institutions and particularly that of the parliament\, I had a great moment of exchanges with the students and their teachers. The questions were mainly related to the themes of the competition in which they participated: European democracy\, energy and climate\, institutions\, etc. \nIn groups\, they presented me with the results of their re ections and I had to comment on them. Obviously what interests young people most is their future\, the Europe they are hoping for and its ability to offer an area of peace\, freedom and solidarity with a particular focus on the issue of immigration\, which concerns young people\, particularly in Italy\, with the arrival of a new government that refuses access to migrant boats but also the Dublin agreements\, which are very critical in their eyes. Everything that allows exchanges between young Europeans is plebiscite and in particular the Erasmus+ programme; on the climate energy issue\, exchanges are less consensual with the question of the energy mix and the choices between nuclear and fossil fuels: the consensus is however on renewable energies and energy savings. \n\n\nAll the students are concerned about global warming\, which they have understood is not a myth and the fear of climate immigration after humanitarian action is real; on the question of democracy in Europe\, they consider that it is the European Parliament that is the most legitimate and that it is necessary to make citizens aware of the European elections – which I have been careful not to deny! \nExchanges that are particularly interesting and well prepared by the teaching team. With the researchers of the think tank\, it was the institutional issues that formed the common thread of the exchange: I had chosen to introduce the debate with the budgetary question by explaining the dif culties of conducting more and more numerous and desired policies without new budgetary resources independent of the states: the Monti Commission was of course raised with the question of a federal Europe or the addition of states\, and with the students the day before the question of the exercise of democracy in the Union was raised with the particular role of parliament in the run-up to the elections by universal suffrage. \n\n\n“Thoughts of Europe” is concerned about the lack of communication with citizens despite the efforts of the institutions\, which are in-suf ciently covered by the media. It intends to make its contribution for the next few deadlines\, which deserves to be highlighted and encouraged. \n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-francais-victor-hugo-28-january-2019/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190126
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T104520Z
UID:10300-1547679600-1548457199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Lycée Giotto Ulivi- Oreste ROSSI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: European citizenship and school\, climate change and the institutional reform of the EU. Numerous meetings were held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues.\nThe meetings with the students from Giotto Ulivi were attended by our member Oreste Rossi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DISCUSS CURRENT AFFAIRS\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230014c9″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]I participated for the first time in one of the events organised by the European University Institute of Florence in collaboration with the Former Members’ Association and was impressed both by the level of the Institute and by the reaction of the secondary school students who attended. \nThe session was divided into three parts: The first part focused on information on the ‘Europe System’\, during which I and a competent Institute official took the floor to address European issues\, and I spoke about my personal experience as a Member of the European Parliament. The young people were pleased to get involved and asked some very pertinent questions; The second part\, in which the young people\, split into three groups\, pretended to identify themselves with political parties and to submit a draft legislative initiative; The third part\, in which the young people presented the result of their work and we commented on it together.The topics were of general and social interest: \n1) EU citizenship and schools; \n2) climate change\, the environment and energy\, and \n3) the institutional reform of the European Union. \nIn my introductory statement\, I took a moment to explain the differences between the various European institutions: the Commission\, Parliament\, Council\, Court of Justice of the European Union\, Council of the European Union\, President of the Commission\, President of Parliament\, President of the Council and President of the Council of the European Union. I noted that there was a lack of knowledge of the various institutions and their powers. I believe that Member States should include topics relating to the European Union on school curricula as from secondary school level. This is vital in order to educate young people properly. I commend initiatives like this which are useful both to us politicians\, to remedy our numerous communication errors\, and to young people\, who need to open themselves up to the range of opportunities offered to them by a Europe of peoples and cultures.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-francais-victor-hugo-28-january-2019-2/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190126
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T210516Z
UID:10301-1547679600-1548457199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Lycée Giotto Ulivi- Monica BALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: European citizenship and school\, climate change and the institutional reform of the EU. Numerous meetings were held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues.\nThe meetings with the students from Giotto Ulivi were attended by our member Monica BALDI. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-francais-victor-hugo-28-january-2019-2-3/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190126
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T211456Z
UID:10323-1547679600-1548457199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Lycée Giotto Ulivi- Niccolò RINALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: European citizenship and school\, climate change and the institutional reform of the EU. Numerous meetings were held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues.\nThe meetings with the students from Giotto Ulivi were attended by our member Niccolò RINALDI. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-francais-victor-hugo-28-january-2019-2-4/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190126
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20190101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T205119Z
UID:5537-1547679600-1548457199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - SECONDARY SCHOOLS EUI - Lycée Giotto Ulivi- Luciana CASTELLINA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: European citizenship and school\, climate change and the institutional reform of the EU. Numerous meetings were held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues.\nThe meetings with the students from Giotto Ulivi were attended by our member Luciana CASTELLINA.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-lycee-francais-victor-hugo-28-january-2019-2-2/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181205
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181208
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20181201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T104256Z
UID:5541-1544050800-1544223599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:NETHERLANDS - MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY - Edit HERCZOG
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Maastricht University invites a former MEP to attend an event on the topic “Value-less Data: Legal\, Ethical\, Economic and Technological Lessons for a Robust Data Economy”. This values-centric symposium aims to bring together experts from data science\, ethics\, economics and law to create a White Paper establishing basic principles for the use of data in the data economy. \nThe event was attended by our member Edit HERCZOG.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”LESSONS LEARNT AT THE MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230009b7″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The program document determined the narrative of the conference: \n„As humanity becomes increasingly data dependable\, it is necessary to make sure that the data it stands on reflect the values inherent to a fair\, ethical\, and economically sound society. … Data in itself is devoid of any value; it’s the way in which data is selected and used that can dictate how machine learning and other systems that feed on data\, operate in economic\, moral\, or ethical terms. The question then arises: how can the systems and devices that use data in the data economy obtain economically\, morally and ethically robust data?” \nThe conference started with the presentation of prof. Andres Guadamuz from Sussex University\, who challenged the participants to differentiate artificial intelligence and man-made art and music. The audience had dificulties to see the differences between the two and it was a practical and efficient way to showcase the challenge of future IPR regulation. \nThe trust session highlighted the risks and benefits of using data for commerce and health sectors\, not only for primary beneficiaries but also for the ecosystem around them. The morality and ethics panel had a wide scope\, including the impact of data economy on the human rights in the future. A keynote was given by professor Anselm Kamperman Sanders on the „The intersection of intellectual property and data in the United Nations’ World Economic and Social Survey 2018”. It was a very inspiring account on how to deal with Risks and Benefits. \nEconomic value of data has a huge potential value for all sectors. This an opportunity we should be taking advantage of\, but that should be regulated. Especially for data intensive sectors\, regulation is a prerequisite to reduce uncertainties. It was a pleasure to be in the final panel with four talented students (Gaia Lisi; Eisa Rahimi; Virginia Debernardi; Bert Brookfield-Hird)\, with Prof Guadamuz and prof Ana Ramalho to discuss the issues from different perspectives. We agreed that Data is a new sector where regulation must happen fast\, to enable European enterprises and citizens to harness the benefits. \nHowever\, legislation alone will not solve it. Due to human biases\, datasets and data-analysis carried out by humans will resemble these biases. This is always an issue\, but AI technologies amplify any bias and if they are not corrected in due time\, it will have severe implications on the technology. Thus\, certain issues have to be addressed at the expert level. We also discussed the global race. As a law-maker\, I highlighted that while the EU might be lagging behind China\, and the US on R&D spending\, the EU is a strong exporter of legislation. The EU has been at the forefront of addressing legal issues\, and has not been afraid to set standards high for companies. For example\, the GDPR is an exemplar for other countries and regions in the world\, while companies also praise it\, notwithstanding the complexity of adopting it. \nBert concluded “The possible uses for data are constantly expanding and seemingly endless. However\, great care must be taken to avoid the potentially huge benefits that data can bring to our society from being outweighed by the consequences. We must try to avoid this. Interdisciplinary events such as the value-less data symposium are key to ensure this and also so that we understand the issues before we legislate on them.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/the-netherlands-maastricht-university-from-06-to-07-december-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181203
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181206
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20181201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T104044Z
UID:5545-1543878000-1544050799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:TURKEY - IZMIR UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS - Jens-Peter BONDE
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nA former MEP was invited to participate in a course on the history of the EU institutions at Izmir University of Economics in December 2018. The broader topic of the event is governance in the EU. \nJens-Peter BONDE\, FMA Member\, participated in the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/turkey-izmir-university-of-economics-from-04-to-05-december-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Izmir-University-of-Economics-IUE-logo-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181202
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181205
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20181201T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T103945Z
UID:5549-1543791600-1543964399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:CZECH REPUBLIC - MENDEL EUROPEAN CENTRE BRNO  - Mariela BAEVA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For the European week and Mendel European Centre in Brno Mariela BAEVA participated in lectures and discussions with students at the beginning of December 2018. The main topics was BREXIT\, migration issues and the EU institutions. \nMission report: MEETING WITH THE YOUNG GENERATION \nFor a number of years now\, I have committed to the EP to Campus Programme largely due to its main objective to continue delivering expertise that builds up the students’ knowledge capital. \nThe process enjoys reciprocity – as guest speakers\, we benefit from the analytical approach and critical thinking of the young generation. This December\, I focused on EU Migration Insights 2017 and the role of the EP in the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. \nThe first lecture shed light on the unprecedented global movement of people. We discussed migrant integration public policies of the MSs. We also approached migration from the perspective of identity and populism. I briefly commented on the reform of the Dublin system and the EU return policy. \nAs concerns over migration and identity are central to European politics\, we devoted generous time to discuss two surveys covering two opposite aspects. \nOne of the surveys belongs to the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs\, known as \nChatham House. It is designed to probe the attitudes in the EU towards the perceived effects of migration\, the refugee crisis and how it has been managed since 2015. The specific issue of Islam in European societies is also in the focus of the survey. \nThe second survey is produced by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)\, based in Vienna\, and it throws light on the experiences of Muslim refugees and their children born in EU MSs. \nWe could make two general conclusions: \n• Populist movements will continue to find resonance among the public when they seek to amplify such concerns into a broader opposition towards the EU. So\, wide-ranging strategies will be necessary to engage more authoritarian-minded voters and to re-frame debates about migration in such a way as to reduce perceptions of a cultural or identity threat. \n• Over the longer term\, the leadership of the EU institutions\, civil society and business will need to invest efforts in attempting to change \nattitudes. A source of optimism\, however\, is stemming from the EU’s advantages compared to those of other parts of the globe – not only that some of the EU MSs economies are among the most competitive in the world\, but they also enjoy some of the most equal societies. The challenge for the EU is to utilize these strengths and to build on the historic achievements of integration. \nTo bring the international group of around 60 students closer together\, I threw light on the refugee solidarity concert series Give a Home that took place in cities all over the world last September. The English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran joined\, too\, a lineup of 1\,000 artists performing at the places of their music fans in support for the cause of the refugees. \nThe second topic concerning The Role of the EP in the UK’s withdrawal from the EU provoked many questions under the mantra ‘Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’. We discussed in detail the citizens’ rights\, Good Friday Agreement and single financial settlement. We had a brainstorming session based on the public opinion in the post-Brexit era. Our Friday session had its peak: a small creative project. Students from Syria\, Ghana\, Croatia\, Ukraine\, Czech Republic and I came together to call for empathy in a song titled Race to Freedom\, dedicated to 18 December\, International Migrants Day and 20 June\, World Refugee Day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/czech-republic-mendel-european-centre-brno-from-03-to-05-december-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mendel_university_logo-eng_cmyk_0.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181126
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181130
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20181101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200607T205541Z
UID:5553-1543273200-1543532399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:GERMANY - GEORG-AUGUST UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN - Michael HINDLEY
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \n \nThe Georg-August University of Göttingen organized a talk with Michael HINDLEY\, FMA Member\, on the topic of Law and Policy-making in the EU and the conequences of BREXIT for the EU and Great Britiain. The programm at the university included lectures and follow-up discussions and debates with students. \nMission report: CAN THE EU SURVIVE BREXIT? \nI was extremely pleased to receive a second invitation to the Euroculture Centre at the University of Göttingen which I first visited in November 2016. I suggested an update on my last year’s title ‘Can the EU survive Brexit?’ Not simply an example of English ‘tongue-in-cheek’ humour\, but a warning that Brexit is not only an existential question for the UK\, but also one for the EU. \nCertainly the mood among the Masters Students in the three seminars I participated in was puzzlement and sadness about the UK leaving. There was some anxiety among a couple of UK students about their future status and questions from other EU students about their potential status post Brexit. \nMy last year’s visit coincided with the news that Donald Trump had won the Presidential race in the USA. That news was met by the same sadness and puzzlement as the Brexit decision. \nThis year’s visit came in the wake of the German general election which saw a sharp decline in the popularity of the two major parties (CDU/ CSU and SPD) and the rise of the anti-EU nationalists\, AfD. The fate \nA group of students from the Georg-August-University \nof Chancellor Angela Merkel\, widely seen as a stabilising force in the EU\, has become an anxious question. We are entering an increasingly uncertain period. The eastern EU states are increasingly sceptical\, even hostile to EU policy made in Brussels; witness the widening resentment against EU asylum policy. \n‘Europe’ is increasingly seen as the problem for nation states\, not the solution to national problems – a point the ‘More Europe’ advocates from Brussels fail to grasp. \nThe gap in perceptions of ‘Europe’ looms large. In my experience of young people\, like the students I met in Göttingen and others I have met at \nhome and on FMA guest lectureships don’t share this pessimism. So many of them have benefited from European wide programmes\, they travel with ease and confidence. They are prepared to rise to the challenge of competition and opportunity offered by the EU. \nHowever\, doubts remain and indeed grow as to whether the EU is there for the benefit of all and not just for the quick\, mobile\, talented elite. Serious work ahead for the EU which demands less self-congratulatory propaganda and more applied reasoned persuasion.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/germany-georg-august-university-of-gottingen-from-27-to-29-november-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/goettingon-logo.png
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181111
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20181101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T103151Z
UID:5557-1541458800-1541890799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED STATES - UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN EU CENTER (EUC) - Robert EVANS
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign EU Center (EUC) organized two major events: “17th Annual EU Day”\, a celebration of transatlantic relations and strives to promote a better understanding between the peoples of the US and the EU also featuring a roundtable discussion on the EU; “Researching and Teaching the EU: Best Practices and Current Trends in EU Scholarship — A Working Conference”\, an annual conference that brings together college faculty with the aim of increasing research on and teaching of the EU at universities and four-year and two-year colleges in Illinois and the American Midwest. \nRobert EVANS\, FMA member\, participated in these events.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230027c6″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]There can’t be many universities anywhere in the world\, with their own airport. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one such institution. Situated some 220 km south of Chicago\, the university is one of the largest public colleges in the USA with nearly 50\, 000 students. The sprawling\, yet modern campus seems to engulf just about the whole of two small towns\, Urbana and Champaign in addition to being home to a very successful EU funded Jean Monnet institute. \nIt was their invitation\, to attend the institute’s twentieth anniversary conference\, on behalf of former MEPs\, that saw me land\, late one cold November evening at their own\, modest but convenient airport! \nAfter a long trip via Dallas\, some 1500 km to the south – I have never understood why it is cheaper to take two flights and fly over your eventual destination hours before you reach there – I was met at the airport by Sebnem Ozkan\, the centre’s associate director and one of my excellent hosts. \nThe University of Illinois is the only American University to offer a Masters course in European Studies and it was a real pleasure to talk with Dr Neil Vander Most\, Professor Kostas Kourtikakis and their engaging and well informed students. Questions covered a whole range of issues including the history of the EU\, but not surprisingly\, invariably came back to Brexit and why the British people voted to leave a successful union of 28 countries. \nAs part of their anniversary celebrations\, the EU’s ambassador the United States\, his excellency David O’Sullivan delivered a thought-provoking speech on ‘the State of the European Union’. In the ensuing roundtable there were plenty of questions about the evolving state of EU-US relations. As the conference coincided with the inconclusive American mid-term elections\, there were plenty of opportunities for comparisons and thoughts about the forthcoming European Parliament elections in 2019. These and other issues were also discussed when I was a studio guest for an interview with the local radio station\, Illinois Public Media. \nMy keynote speech on Saturday morning included my own personal thoughts on Brexit and how the then prime minister David Cameron badly mis-judged\, both the mood of the country and his own popularity. After eight years of austerity\, the lack-lustre ‘remain campaign’ gave the British people a rare chance to object to the EU and register a complaint anything else they fancied or didn’t fancy. There were obvious comparisons with Americans’ objections to President Trump but also warnings for other EU countries who fail to face head-on\, the concerns of the voters.  From the unrest in France to the rise of fringe or ‘populist parties’\, the EU can be the catalyst for negative voting. \nAfter a hectic four days\, I left Illinois for London to be present at the commemorations for the end of the first world war. Twenty million people died in the ‘war to end all wars’ which only preceded another brutal conflict just twenty years later. An awful testament to what happens when Europe is not united. Fortunately today’s liberal politicians and keen voters have more sense then our forefathers … I hope. \nMy sincere thanks to Professor Carla Santos and all at the University of Illinois for an excellent and stimulating few days and to the Former Members Association for their organisation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/usa-university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-eu-center-euc-from-06-to-10-november-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181025
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181028
DTSTAMP:20260502T225138
CREATED:20181001T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200607T211352Z
UID:5561-1540508400-1540681199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN STUDIES  - Paulo CASACA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe Ukrainian European Studies Association organized the participation of Paulo CASACA\, FMA Member\, to  take part and deliver a report at the Jean Monnet Conference “Access of Ukraine to the EU Digital Single Market” and a public lecture at the Poltava Technical University to academics\, experts and students interested in EU-Ukraine relations and on the EU Digital Strategy Paper.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ukraine-ukrainian-association-of-european-studies-from-26-to-27-october-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
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