CONTENTS:
1.       A Word from the Chairman
2.       EDRC News
2.1.    Europe Close to You Fair
2.2.    MESA Online Paper
2.3.    MESA Seminar 
2.4.    Upcoming MESA Seminar on EU-MED Affairs
2.5.    Upcoming MESA Seminars: The Reform Treaty Series
3.       News and Events
3.1     Malta
3.2     Europe
3.2.1  News
3.2.2. Events
4.       Call for Papers
5.       Summer Schools and Courses
5.1     Summer Schools
5.2     Courses
 

1. A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Friends,

You can see that Doris has once again prepared a Newsletter that is packed with news of our upcoming events and much more besides. 

Planning is now in full swing for our September 24th National Conference, about which details in the next Newsletter in June.  The theme is The Fight Against Poverty.  The date is (most likely, the 24th September), and the cast of speakers (currently being finalised) looks exceptional.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our series of seminars on the Lisbon Treaty - together these will give us a clear picture of the implications of the 
Lisbon Treaty and what it means for Malta.

Regards to all

Peter G. Xuereb
14th March 2008
 

2. EDRC NEWS

2.1. Europe Close to You Fair
Between the 9th and 12th January 2008 EDRC participated in the Europe Close to You Fair as one of the EU-Information providers.  This event was organised by the European Commission Representation Office in Malta and the European Parliament Office in Valletta.  The theme this year was the EURO. 

The fair was very well attended and activities such as quizzes were organised for grade 5 school children who visited the fair.  This was a different educational outing as the students had one of their grandparents as their partner in quizzes. The idea behind this initiative was to involve young children and mature people in the familiarisation with the EURO, as part of the Eurochangeover process.  Information material was distributed from the participating EU-Information providers.

Commissioner President José Manuel Barroso, and EU Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Joachim Almunia visited the fair on Saturday morning.  They were in Malta for the EURO celebrations, which were also attended by all head of States of European Union members.  Prof. Timothy Boylan Associate Professor of Political Science, Winthrop University, South Carolina who presented a paper during a MESA Seminar on 16th January visited the fair on Saturday too.

2.2. MESA Online Paper
The paper presented by Prof. Timothy S. Boylan, Associate Professor of Political Science, Winthrop University, South Carolina on 16th January is now available online.  The title is: From Constitutional Treaty to Reform Treaty: Constitutionalism in the European Union  from an American Perspective.  Visit the MESA website for previous MESA papers and papers on the Debate on the Constitution for Europe.

2.3. MESA Seminar
"The Treaty of Lisbon: Intergovernmentalism Resurgent: Constitutionalism Moribund?"
Speaker: Prof. Michael Dougan, Jean Monnet Chair Professor in EU Law at the University of Liverpool
Date: 6th March 2008
Abstract:
The focus of this paper is speculative. Prof. Dougan considered the potential informal impact of the ratification crisis of 2005, and the transformation of the Constitutional Treaty into the Treaty of Lisbon, for the future functioning of the Union.  Two main issues will be addressed.  First, the idea of "intergovernmentalism resurgent" having reaffirmed their role as "masters of the Treaties" how far will the Member States capitalise on this renewed potency in the daily functioning of the Union institutions (for example, in relations between the European Council and the Commission in setting the Union's strategic agenda, or between drafting conventions and IGCs in the process of future Treaty amendment).  Secondly, the risk of "constitutionalism moribund": having rejected at the highest political level an expressly "constitutional basis" for the integration process, how far will the ratification crisis and the Treaty of Lisbon affect the Union's character as an organisation based on the rule of law and protection of individual rights, and influence ongoing debates about the constitutional character of European integration (for example, concerning the principle of supremacy over Union over law?).  The paper will be available online shortly.

2.4. Upcoming MESA Seminar: "Union for the Mediterranean"
EDRC in conjunction with MESA is organising a seminar with the support of the French Embassy in Malta on the Proposal by President Sarkozy of France for a "Union for the Mediterranean."
Dr Dorothee Schmid, researcher on Mediterranean and Middle East issues at the Institut Francais des Relations Internationales (IFRI, Paris) will address the audience.  Everyone is invited to attend. Entrance is free
Date: 29th April 2008
Venue: Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard
Refreshments: 1730hrs
Seminar: 1800hrs
Booking by sending the following details to Mrs Doris Mangion:
Name, Organisation and E-Mail by Friday 25th April 
E-Mail: doris.mangion@um.edu.mt
 

2.5. Upcoming MESA Seminars: The Reform Treaty  Series

The following seminars are organised by the EDRC in conjunction with MESA with the support of the European Commission. 

Date: 29th May 08
Speaker: Prof. Erika Szyszczak, Jean Monnet Professor of European Law, University of Leicester
Title: The Reform Treaty and the so-called European Social Model

Date: 9th June 08
Speaker: Prof. Robin C.A. White, Head of Department of Law, University of Leicester
Title: The Reform Treaty: Some Human Rights Issues

Date: 19th June 08
Speaker: Prof. Sacha Prechal, Prof. of International and European Institutional Law, Utrecht University
Title: The Reform Treaty and the Consequences for the Legal Order

Date: to be advised (beginning of July)
Speaker: Prof. Jo Shaw, Salvesen Chair of European Institutions and co-ordinator of the Europa Institute, Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh
Title: Policy Implications in the Reform Treaty in the Justice and Home Affairs Field

3.NEWS AND EVENTS

3.1. MALTA

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Basel II Focus
Starting Date: 3rd April (10 workshops)
Programme duration: 10 weeks
Venue: Conference Hall, Notabile Road, Attard
The Institute of Financial Services (Malta) IFS in conjunction with the Malta Financial Services Authority MFSA will be holding a series of Seminars titled 'Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Basel II Focus'. It is an awareness programme on the background of risk theories and understanding of Basel II. 

Who should attend?:

• Supervisory and Managerial staff involved in the core business activities of MFSA licence holders;
• Staff within the same above categories who are involved in administrative duties and IT professional within the financial services industry;
• Staff employed with Legal and Accountancy Firms; and
• Students undertaking studies in the financial services sector.

Intercultural Dialogue through Education
Venue: The University of Malta
Dates: 11th-13th May 2008

There are two broad conference themes, namely, intercultural dialogue within and across nations, and education in the Mediterranean. In more specific terms, the scientific committee will accept papers on:

    * Education in the Mediterranean
    * North-South, South-North, East-West, West-East Relations in Education
    * Migration – Inward and Outward (Diaspora)
    * Post-colonial Education, preferably with reference to the Mediterranean
    * Religion and Education
    * Multi-ethnicity and Education
    * Inter-ethnic Education
    * Inter-cultural Dialogue Within and Across Nations
    * Education for Sustainability in the Mediterranean and Beyond
More Info
 

3.2. EUROPE 

3.2.1.NEWS

Commissioner Kyprianou submits his resignation to join the Cypriot Government as Minister of Foreign Affairs
On 28th February 2008, the member of the European Commission responsible for Health, Markos Kyprianou, has submitted his resignation to the Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. Mr. Kyprianou resigns to accept the invitation by the President of the Republic of Cyprus to join the Cypriot Government as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The resignation will be effective as soon as a successor has been nominated by the Republic of Cyprus and appointed by the Council pursuant to Article 215 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. President Barroso is consulting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus over the nomination of the successor.

Until his resignation becomes effective, Mr. Kyprianou continues to exercise his mandate as a member of the European Commission, in the full respect of the treaties.

Vice President Verheugen launches Enterprise Europe Network:European Business Support at your Doorstep.
On 7th February 2008 the European Commission Vice President Gunter Verheugen launched Enterprise Europe Network, a new and powerful European support network for enterprises. All major players of the business support community in Europe have united to offer a one-stop service to assist especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop their full potential and innovative capacity.The Enterprise Europe Network includes more than 500 contact points for entrepreneurs in Europe. They provide a full range of support services in close proximity to SMEs covering the whole EU territory and going even beyond. 

'Let's Build Europe in Partnership': Luc Van den Brande elected President of the Committee of the Regions.
Belgian politician Luc Van den Brande was elected as President of the EU's Committee of the Regions at its plenary session in Brussels on the 6th February. He is the eight President of the Political Assembly, which gives local and regional government representatives a voice in European decision-making.

Mr. Van den Brande, who has been a member of the CoR since its creation in 1994, will serve for two years in the post. He succeeds Michael Delebarre, Mayor of Dunkirk, France, who switches roles to become First Vice-President. The plenary session also saw the election of 27 Vice-Presidents proposed by the national delegations and the other members of the Bureau. A lawyer by background, Luc Van den Brande started his political career in 1977 after being elected to the Belgian House of Representatives. 

Addressing the plenary after his election, Mr. Van den Brande set out his vision and priorities for the next two years. Partnership was the main theme of his address, in which he stressed the need for EU institutions to work more closely with Member States and local and regional authorities. He said a multi-level approach was essential in order to respond to the issues which matter most to the public, including affordable housing, jobs, education, lifelong learning, affordable and accessible healthcare, and solidarity between the generations.

Mr. Van den Brande listed seven priority areas where he sees the CoR bringing added value:
(1) the reform of the European Budget; 
(2) energy policy and climate change; 
(3) the Lisbon objectives; 
(4) cohesion policy and the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation; 
(5) cultural diversity; 
(6) neighbourhood policy; and 
(7) multilevel governance and subsidiarity.
On the European budget, he noted that the CoR will announce an initial position at its next plenary session in April, in line with a proposal from the working group set up to look at the matter.

Referring to the European Commission's recently launched climate plan, aiming to cut CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, Mr. Van den Brande proposed that the CoR join together with the local authorities, towns and regions to draw up a decleration of intent and an action plan. The CoR will also organise a forum, involving energy suppliers, in parallel with the next plenary session.

The CoR's new report on the partnership for growth and jobs, to be submitted to EU leaders at the European Council in Brussels on the13th to 14th March, highlights the role that local and regional authorities can play in achieving the Lisbon objectives. But the President notes that 'too many regions, towns and local authorities are dissatisfied with their level of involvement in national reform programmes.'

He underlined that the CoR must make full use of the opportunities offered by the Lisbon Treaty to monitor subsidiarity and continue to use its subsidiarity network to assess the impact of proposed legislation on local and regional authorities, to determine the financial and staffing costs involved and extra administrative burdens. "We need to draw up an annual subsidiarity report and organise a subsidiarity forum as part of the process. I also believe that, on this front, we must strenghten our ties with the national parliaments,"he added.

He reiterated that the CoR will work to highlight the benefits of cohesion policy and the new European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) in particular. An interinstitutional conference on the EGTC-aimed at boosting the management of cross-border, transnational and regional projects will be held on 19th June and the CoR will adopt an own-initiative opinion on the subject the same month.
 

The Committee of the Regions
Around two-thirds of EU legislation is implemented by local and regional authorities in Member States. The Committee of the Regions was created in 1994 to give representatives of local government a say over the content of these laws. The CoR organises five plenary sessions a year, where its 344 members vote on reports, known as opinions, issued in response to proposed legislation, The Europena Commission, which initiates EU laws, and the Council of Ministers, which determines the final content of the legilation (usually in tandem with the European Parliament), are obliged to consult the CoR on the wide range of policy areas including the environment, employment and transport.
More Info
 

Creating Hydrogen Communities
Since October 2005, the Development Office has been involved in a 6th Framework Programme project on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Both technologies may be of crucial importance for the transition to a sustainable energy economy. The project's overall aim is to assess and monitor hydrogen and fuel cell applications for stationary and mobile use.

A team lead by Dr. Raimund Bleischwitz, visiting Professor at the college of Europe, contributes as a work package leader mainly to the planning and engagement of early-adopting hydrogen communities. Together with project partners, the College organises workshops aimed at providing state-of-the-art knowledge and giudance for community stakeholders and project managers interested in hydrogen and fuel cell applications.

In parallel with the organisation of the workshops, a "Handbook for Communities" will be edited. The first volume, recently published, discusses the potential role that hydrogen could play in the world energy systems, the anticipated route to a future, and the role of communities along that troute. Two forthcoming volumes will go into the detail, instructing communities on how to successfully engage with hydrogen and fuel cell technology. 
More Info
 

Conferences for the European Commission's Europe DIRECT Network.
Within the framework of a technical assistance contract with the European Commission, DG Communication, the Development Office organised three conferences for the Commission's EUROPE DIRECT Network. The Europe Direct network consists of 450 relays which provide information on the EU to the citizens in all Member States, 400 European Documentation Centres (mainly based at universities) and 700 Team Europe speakers who are specialised in a variety of EU policies. The events took place in Sitges (near Barcelona), Warsaw and Dublin in October and November 2007. Organised yearly in different Member States these Annual General Meetings typically gather about 500 network members. The programme focuses on best practices as well as problem-solving, in relation to communicating the EU to different target audiences. Other services provided by the Development Office to the EUROPE DIRECT network include a Newsletter which is also available to the general public.
More Info
 

Launch of European digital library 'on track'
A European digital library foundation has recently been created. This formalises the agreement of European archives, museums, audiovisual archives and libraries to work together and provide a common access point to Europe's cultural heritage online.

For a steady growth of the European digital library, two key issues need to be tackled: the financing of digitisation and solutions of making copyrighted works searchable through the European digital library.

The European Digital Libraries initiative is one of the Commissioner's flagship i2010 initiatives to create a European Information Society for growth and jobs.
More Info
 

3.2.2. EVENTS

“Enlarge your vision”  - European Young Journalist Award on EU Enlargement 
Competition dates: 15 November 2007 to 15 March 2008
The Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement in cooperation with the European Youth Press Association launched a pan-European competition for young journalists from all over Europe.  The objective of the competition is to encourage young journalists to reflect and express their views on the European Union's Enlargement Policy.
Young journalists aged 17-27 from all the EU Member States as well as from candidate and potential candidate countries (Western Balkans and Turkey) are invited to submit to the competition a recently published article on EU Enlargement (publication date between January 2007 and 15 March 2008).

The participants can enter the competition on a special website.  There, they can also read articles on the EU's enlargement policy and find interesting tips for a career in journalism. At the end of the competition in April 2008, national juries made up of media representatives will select a winning article for each country and these articles will be published on the competition website. All 35 winners will be invited on a joint trip through Balkan countries and will have the opportunity to participate in a closing conference with media representatives from various countries in June 2008. 

International Seminar for Experts: Justice and Home Affairs in the European Union, Migration, Border Control and Counter- Terrorism in an Enlarged Schengen Area.
The Cicero Foundation
Paris
3rd to 4th April 2008
Themes of the seminar:

• The European Migration Policy: Assessing the Report on the Review of the Hague Programme
• The Enlargement of the Schengen Area: Consequences for Refugees and Migrants 
• The Role of Europol and Eurojust in Combating Terrorism and International Crime
• Comparing Counter-Terrorism Measures in the Different EU Member States
• Combating International Terrorism: Towards a Convergence of US and EU Approaches?
• Policing the EU Borders: The External Dimension of Internal Security
• The Role of Liason Magistrates
• Combating Homegrown Islamist Terrorism
• How Effective is the European Arrest Warrant?
• Protecting Basic Civil Rights: What can be Improved?

Enlarging the Schengen Area
3rd to 4th April 2008, ERA Congress Centre, Trier
with the support of the Slovenian EU Presidency.
European and national experts will present the legal framework for the enlarged Schengen area, focusing on its information system. Legislative issues regarding internal and external border security will be discussed and the tasks of the newly established European border agency 'FRONTEX' outlined. The impact on police cooperation to combat serious cross-border crime will be analysed.

Particular attention will be paid to the innovations introduced by the SIS II, such as the addition of new categories of data, including biometric data, the interlinking of alerts, and widened access.
Email: info@era.int
More Info
 

Nationalism, East and West: Civic and Ethnic Conceptions of Nationhood
15th April to 16th April 2008
Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism
London School of Economics
The conference will include keynote addresses from leading scholars in the field, along with opportunities for scholars from various disciplines to examine the relevance of ethnic and civic conceptions of nationhood in a series of panel sessions.

• Civic and Ethnic Aspects of Nation Formation;
• Is Nationalism a European Phenomenon?
• Alternitives to Civic and Ethnic Nationalism;
• Experiences of Historical Migrant Nations;
• Citizenship and Immigration; and
• Multiculturalism

18 April 1948: Italy between Continuity and Rupture
18th to 19th April 2008
University of Reading and Italian Culture Institute in London
After one of the fiercest electoral campaigns in the history of the country and the mobilisation of all sectors of society and international actors, the Christian Democrats and their allies gained the majority of the votes at the elections of the 18th April 1948, thus officially inaugurating the history of the new Italian Republic.
The 1948 elections have traditionally been seen by scholars as a watershed between war-time Italy and the return to 'normality'. The end of the Resistance and the creation of new political institutions opened the way to a new-found love for foreign literature, the foundation of publishing houses, the cultural influence of the US and the emergence of a young generation of artists, movie directors and actors. At the same time, underlying continuities exerted a strong impact on the cultural, historical and economic development of Italy. The North/ South divide, the backward economic structure, the administrative centralisation, the legal tradtition, the role of the Catholic Church are only a few of the most notable examples of the legacy of the pre-war time.
Through the multidisciplinary approach that brings together history, politics, literature, legal studies and international relations, this conference re-examines the significance of 18th April 1948. It assesses in what ways the legacies of WWII, of the fascist regime and of Liberal Italy have influenced the foundation of the new Italian Republic and to what degree 1948 can be seen as a 'watershed in the History of Italy'

IES Spring Lecture Series
Rethinking European Media and Communication Policies
This series is organised by VUB's Institute for European Studies (IES) and the Research Centre for Studies on Media Information and Telecommunicaton (IBBT-SMIT) as well as the University of Turku
The EU institutions and Member States have taken efforts, such as the Lisbon and i2010 agenda, to promote the benefits and tame the challenges of digitalisation. Increased opening of national media sectors, is giving rise to new business opportunities, models and market structures. 

It appears therefore necessary to fundamentally reconsider the existing legal and policy frameworks. Are they completely outdated? If so, where are the main problems, and how should they be addressed? A process of 'Rethinking European media and communications policy' starts from identifying the practical changes and challenges of today and tomorrow. A rethinking necessitates an overview of existing tools and prospective solutions. And it calls for a focused analysis of a number of important, interlinked policy issues, such as the problems of digital rights management, the preservation of freedom of speech and privacy, the need to simultaneously promote innovation, competition and standardization,  and the role of cultural values.

Renowned experts from European institutions, universities and international organisations will present their views, moving from a general description and analysis to a more detailed discussion. The invited audience consists of policymakers, academics, industry representatives, as well as advanced students in European (media and communications) policy. Will the policies in support of creating a prosperous 'European knowledge economy' be compatible to strive for a 'European knowledge society'?
More Info
 

T.M.C Asser Institute Launches New EU- Definition
1st to 3rd September 2008
The 38th UACES Annual Conference is an opportunity to present a paper to an audience from a broad range of European-related disciplines in the light of the results of the meeting of the European Council in June 2007. The Asser Round Table on the Nature of the European Union was held on 7th September 2007 in The Hague and was attended both by legal experts and (former) politicians, including the Dutch Minister of Justice. The meeting concluded in line with a recent advice of the Dutch Council of State - that the outlines of the new Reform Treaty, as agreed upon by the European Council, clearly indicate that the Union is not any longer heading for a federal state. Instead, the European Union continues to develop into a new and unique phenomenon in the international law. The meeting considered that the EU has been founded in 1992 as a Union of Citizens and Member States and that the Union has obtained more distinct and unique qualities ever since, notably through the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The meeting concluded that a Union of Citizens and Member States must be identified from a legal point of view as a new category of international law and that the European Union can be defined as an organisation of sovreign states, in which the citizens of the Member States are also citizens of the Union and in which the governance of the Union is not only bound by the rule of law, but is also required to meet similar democratic standards as the governance of the respective Member States.
This new EU definition was presented by the European Commission in Brussels on 3rd October 2007. The conclusions of the Asser Round Table will encourage politicians and citizens alike to realise that the Period of Reflection has not only resulted in the draft of a new Reform Treaty, but also in a definition of the European Union, which is based upon that Reform Treaty.
E-Mail: w.t.douma@asser.nl
E-Mail: j.hoeksma@chello.nl
 

4. CALL FOR PAPERS

Studia Politica
Deadline: 1st April 2008
Place of Publication: Romania, Cluj
Type of Publication: Print, Internet
The Editorial Board welcomes articles on civil society and associational life to democratization and consolidation of democracy. It especially encourages comparative approaches, yet case studies that challenge well established theories on civil society and democratization are welcome. Contribution must be written in English and sent by e-mail to tomaburean@democracycentre.ro. Recommended system of reference

Published by/edited by: Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Political Science, Public Administration and Communication Studies, Political Science Department in cooperation with The Centre for the Study of Democracy, Cluj, Romania.
More Info

Energy in Europe and North America: From National to Human Security? A German Marshall Fund of the United States?
Policy Research Conference on Energy Security
University of Trento, Italy
18th to 19th April 2008
The objective of the Conference is to explore whether Europe and North America are diverging in the way they see energy security. Rather than take a narrow and conventional view of both security and energy, the conference  brings together a number of different strands of the current debate about energy and examines them within a broader debate about the meaning of security.
More Info

The Politics of Knowing: Research, Institutions and Gender in the Making.
Organisers:Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences CR
Proposed date: 27th-28th November 2008
Venue: Prague, Czech Republic
Deadline for submission of papers: 30th April 2008
Early registration: 15th July 2008
Science today, perhaps more than ever, is the site of multiple negotiations. Market values increasingly drive scientific research and higher education yet the traditional emphasis upon rational knowledge remains. The range of actors with a claim to 'have a say' in science has also grown to include a range of voices beyond academe, from industry and the public. These new actors may play different roles in different contexts and geographical spaces. All these processes also have a gender dimension from recruitment and retention of students and employees, to work-life balance and the gendering of knowledge production processes and practices.

Papers on the following themes are preferred:

• Excellence and (public) accountability
• Epistemic communities, research collaborations and disciplinary dis/semblance
• Growing into/growing out
• Material practices of knowledge production and legitimization of knowledge
• Methodologies revisited: science studies of social sciences and humanities

The Central European Political Studies Review
"Role of Populism in Central and Eastern Europe"
Deadline: 31st March 2008
The journal is published online and is published from BRNO, Czech Republic. This edition is planned for the (Northern) summer of 2008. Comparative analyses as well as case studies are welcome. Papers will be reviewed.
E-mail: stojarova@fss.muni.cz
More Info

Values and Ethos in an Enalrging Europe for UACES' Annual Research Conference
"Exchanging Ideas on Europe 2008: Rethinking the European Union"
Abstract (50-200 words) Proposals should be sent to Dr. Lynn Dobson (l.dobson@ad.ac.uk) or Dr. Myrto Tsakatika (m.tsakatika@lbss.gla.ac.uk)
The abstract should indicate whether the proposed paper is 'theoretical' or 'empirical', and how it is relevant in the context of debates on European Integration.
Paper-givers have been requested to register for the conference by Thursday 1st May 2008 
More Info

Exchanging Ideas on Europe 2008: Rethinking the European Union
University Association of Contemporary European Studies (UACES)
Annual Conference
University of Edinburgh, UK
1st to 3rd September 2008
Deadline: 14th December
An integral part of the Research Conference is for delegates to take the initiative and to communicate with each other, both before and after the conference. To enable this, e-mail addresses will be published on the conference website along with the abstracts of the papers.

Throughout August and early September, Edinburgh is home to a variety of festivals that draw large international crowds. Due to this festival season, early booking for accommodation is strongly recommended. UACES has reserved a block of rooms in the Student Halls which will be available to book when registration opens in March 2008.
More Info 

5. SUMMER SCHOOLS AND COURSES

5.1 Summer Schools

5th Inter-University Summer School on the European Decision-Making Process
Date: 7th to 8th July 2008
Deadline: 15th April 2008
The Institute of European Studies (IES) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellance, is proud to present its 5th Inter-University Summer School on the European Decision-Making Process. This programme takes place from 7th to 18th July 2008; one week in Brussels at the Institute for European Studies and one week in Vienna at the Diplomatische Akademie (with the collaboration of the University of Vienna). 
More Info

Thirty-Sixth Annual Brussels Seminar on the Law and Institutions of the European Union
Date: 1st to 22nd July 2008
Deadline: 2nd June 2008
The Jean Monnet Chair of the Centre for European Law of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is pleased to announce the 2008 Brussels seminar on the Law and Institutions of the European Union.  A total of eighty hours of lectures, seminars, and workshops are scheduled.  Several briefings and other meetings will be organised (Court of Justice in Luxembourg, European Parliament, Palace of Justice of Brussels etc.)

Main topics include:

• The completion of an integrated internal market;
• the remarkable expansion of the scope of the EU as evidenced by the Treaty on the European Union which envisages an economic, monetary and political union;
• EU integration through the Maastricht, Amsterdam, and Nice Treaties;
• the accession of the new members of the EU; and 
• the further expansion of the Union.

• Law students who have completed most of the requirements for their law degree;
• recent law graduates; and
• law practitioners with less than five years practice.

5.2 Courses

Internship opportunities
ATHGO is currently recruiting interns for the Yeveran and Los Angeles event, UN GAID, UNITAR, and ATHGO also have on-line positions available. These internships range from a week to a few months, depending upon the position.
More Info
 

The Youth in Action Programme in Malta has opened calls for the following training courses (for citizens of the Maltese Islands):

Education & Civilisation TC - Influence on EVS (Malta NA & SALTO-Euromed)
Date: 3rd to 11th May 2008
Malta
The objective of this  training course is realising and concretising the links between education and civilisation and at checking whether they are a driving force or a brake to the qualitative development of Euro-Mediterranean voluntary service.

Out of the Box-TC on ST EVS Project Building (Finnish NA)
Date:7th to 11th May 2008
Helsinki, Finland
The training course's objective is to build new short-term European Voluntary Service hosting projects for young people with social exclusion backgrounds. It targets youth workers who work in inclusion.

SOHO TC (Swedish NA)
Date: 14th to 18th May 2008
Stockholm, Sweden
International training for supervisors, mentors, and contact persons in the European Voluntary Service (EVS)-Action 2.
More info

Fellowships in Florence
Australian European University Institute Fellowships Association 
Deadline: 21st March 2008
Applications are now invited for Australian European University Institute Fellowships which provide the opportunity to carry out research at the European University Institute in Florence, the high profile research institute established by the Member States of the founding European Communities in 1972. A six-month Postdoctoral Fellowship will be offered for the period January-June 2009. Two three-month Postgraduate Fellowships will be offered for the period September-December 2008.
The successful candidates in both categories will also have access to the facilities of the Monash University Prato Centre and are encouraged to participate in its activities, and at the conclusion of the award period, will have the opportunity to present a paper at the Monash University London Centre.
More Info
 

Developing the Competence of Trainers to Address Gender-Based Violence Affecting Young People.
European Youth Centre Budapest
9th to 18th April 2008
The main objective of the course is to develop the competence of participants and enable them to train other youth workers and trainers on addressing gender-based violence affecting young people through the use of the manual *Gender Matters*.

Objectives of the Course

• To discuss current issues and young people's experience of gender-based violence
• To develop participant's competences in adapting activities from *Gender Matters* to various groups and situations
• To reflect on personal and professional values, experiences, attitudes and behaviour in gender-based youth work
• To introduce and investigate *Gender Matters* as a tool for youth leaders in addressing gender-based youth violence and contribute to the manual's preliminary dissemination across Europe
• To develop ideas on mainstreaming gender-based violence issues in youth work
• To develop activities and projects to be implemented at local, national and European level preventing gender-based violence
• To examine the issue of gender-based violence within human rights education
• To contribute to the network building of participants for further work on gender-based violence.

• Actively involved within youth or human rights non-governmental organisations, associations and initiatives OR within relevant governmental organisations, institutions and agencies in Europe.
• Motivated to contribute to the course and share experiences in the field of gender-based violence and gender maintreaming.
• experienced in non-formal education practices.
• in the position to act as trainers or multipliers in organisations and projects at local, national and European level after the course.
• Preferably aged between 18 and 35.
• Able to work and communicate in English or Russian.
• Committed to attend the full duration of the activity.

EU Nagotiations in Practice
21th to 25th April 2008, Bruges and Brussels
Acquire in-depth knowledge of EU negotiations as well as the skills needed to negotiate successfully, thanks to this high-level training course. Primarily designed for officials, the seminar has also attracted professionals from the private sector and civil society organisations. 

This week-long course helps participants acquire in-depth knowledge of EU negotiations as well as the skills needed to negotiate successfully. Designed primarily for officials (from EU Member States, candidate countries, and non-member countries), the course also attracts professionals from the private sector and civil society organisations. Not only will it prepare you for negotiations taking place inside the Council of Ministers, the Commission and the European Parliament, it also includes a session on running an EU Presidency as well as a look at the EU from the perspective of a Permanent Representation in Brussels. A lot of emphasis is put on practical, interactive exercises, including a simulation exercise under the guidance of an experienced insider.
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EU Fact Finding-the EU at your fingertips!
Sessions in  April and June 2008
To find the right piece of information, the right document or the right person in an efficient and timely manner is essential. This short and focused seminar enables participants to discern, evaluate and optimise their time in acquiring EU information.

The next workshops will be held on:

•      Monday 14 April 2008: 1330hrs  – 1730hrs (Brussels)

•      Friday 20 June 2008: 0900hrs  – 1300hrs (Brussels)

This crash seminar is intended to provide participants with a set of search and practical tools to quickly and effectively find relevant information on EU legislation, policies and institutions.

The objective is to make participants independent in consolidating and updating their knowledge about general and specific issues in the field of EU integration, ranging from institutional and regulatory matters, to legislation and policy developments. In this respect, the seminar will introduce participants to a range of optimal sources in searching EU-related information. It will not provide content itself in terms of policy and institutional developments, but enable participants to find targeted information relevant to their business or academic interests in an efficient and time-saving way.

Each participant will be able to use a PC with high-speed internet connection during the whole duration of the seminar. In order to ensure the highest level of interactivity, the number of participants will be limited to maximum 20 people. Each edition of the seminar will be run in case the minimum number of participants is reached. In the event the number of participants is less than 12, the College of Europe will offer to the participants either to be reimbursed or to participate in a successive edition.  Online registrations are open 
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Regulatory Impact Analysis
Sessions in June and October 2008
Bruges
Following the success of the three previous editions, the College's Development Office, in cooperation with Jacobs and Associates Europe will organise three RIA training courses in 2008. These are practice- oriented courses, tailored for officials coming from all over the world who use RIA in their daily work, as well as executives interested in getting an insight into the RIA process to influence policy decisions.
Online registrations are open now!
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15th Intensive Seminar on the EU
30th June to 18th July 2008
Bruges and Brussels
Professionals from all over Europe and beyond will gather in Bruges to enhance or refresh their knowledge about the EU and to engage in a stimulating exchange of views on policies and politics. Participants can choose from three formulas (one-, two- or three week programmes), according to their backgrounds and professional needs. 
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European Training Institute
Brussels' leading training centre in EU Public Affairs and Lobbying
15% discount on all early enrolments received before 31st December 2007 for 2008 seminars (*)

Open Enrolment programmes:
-Brussels Insight Series
-EU Funding
-Masterclass EU Lobbying
-EU Communication and Media
-Comitology Reform
-Intensive Programme: Working with the EU

Customised Seminars:
-Companies
-Trade Associations
-NGOs

Personal Coaching

EU Publications

A permanent training centre at the heart of the European District. Each participant to ETI seminars will receive a free one-month subscription to EUROPOLITICS(*) to benefit from this offer please mention the code SO-161107 when enrolling.
"ETI, the best way to understand the EU Arena"
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"Comitology Implementation for REACH": This seminar is practical from start to finish. Participants will actively work on the implementation of REACH helping them to understand how the system works and how to intervene.
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European Training Institute
How to be influental tomorrow in Brussels?

Training Package includes:

• The First Book on European Lobbying Methodology

• Masterclass EU Lobbying

• Masterclass EU Communication and Media

Cost: EUR 1,750 (+VAT)
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E-Mail: info@e-t-i.be

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