EDRC / MESA Newsletter Issue Nbr.2
 

CONTENTS:
1.     A Word from the Chairman
2.     EDRC News
2.1   MESA Seminars
2.2   Jean Monnet Research Project - Intercultural Dialogue
2.3.  B.A. and M.A. Courses at EDRC
2.4.  Latest EDRC Publications
3.     EDC Accession List
4.     News and Events
4.1.  Malta
4.2.  Europe
4.3.  International
5.     Summer Schools
6.     Grants and Courses
 

1. A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN

As I write this, another academic year is drawing to a close. The EDRC has hosted over four hundred students this academic year, students who hail from all faculties in the University. Many will be graduating this year, and I look forward to their graduation and to wishing them well as they leave us to take up their path in life.

This year also marks the successful end of a number of Jean Monnet Projects, and the start of some new ones, as well as the continuance of the Civil Society Project. For 2005/2006, the Civil Society Project has focused on Family Values in the European Union and Malta. Over the summer, the Report will be published under the title: The Family, Law, Religion and Society in the European Union and Malta. We now move to the next phase of this year’s project with a national conference on this theme, and several invited overseas speakers, to be held on September 19th. My thanks to all who made a significant contribution to the Report. It was a wonderful exercise in collaboration across faculties and institutes and saw academics working closely with NGO experts, within the spirit of the Civil Society Project.

As always, the EDRC supported the activities of the Malta European Studies Association, and readers will see that a number of highly stimulating Jean Monnet seminars were held, drawing much interest and participation from MESA members. A slightly different format will be adopted in the coming year, of which more information in due course.

We therefore look forward to an interesting and varied, and busy, September, and thereafter to another year of fruitful collaboration. I thank all the staff of the EDRC for their work over the year and look forward to renewed contact after the summer break with all MESA members.

PETER G. XUEREB
CHAIRMAN
APRIL 2006
 

2. EDRC NEWS

2.1. MESA  SEMINARS

The first Jean Monnet MESA Seminar this year was on Tuesday 11th April 2006 at 1730hrs.  The speaker was Mr Justice Anthony E. Borg Barthet Judge at the European Court of Justice.  The title of the talk was Community Competence in Criminal Matters - From Case 82/71 to Case C-176/03 Commission v Council. The seminar was held at the Reading Room, Radisson SAS Baypoint  Resort, St George's Bay, St Julians. In this seminar Mr Justice Borg Barthet traced the enlargement of Community competence in the criminal field, beginning from 82/71 where the Italian Government had pleaded the total absence of Community competence in criminal matters through the Greek maize case and others up to the recent Berlusconi, Pupino and Environment Framework Decisions.  Mr Justice discussed the way that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has expanded, through general principles, the Community's competence in this field, as well as the limits set to it.  The paper will be available shortly on the MESA website.

On Thursday 20th April 2006 Dr David Fabri a senior lecturer with the Commercial Law Department in the Faculty of Law at the University of Malta, gave a paper in a MESA Seminar titled: Adventures in screening and transposition: A Case Study: the EU Consumer Protection Acquis (1990-2004). The seminar was held at 1730hrs at the Reading Room, Radisson SAS Baypoint  Resort, St George's Bay St Julians. The speaker gave a very personal insider account of the transposition of the consumer protection chapter of the EC acquis into Maltese law.  In 1999, Dr Fabri was asked by government to lead the screening and transposition of the consumer protection acquis in the period leading to membership.  The speaker shared his experiences in consumer law and policy in Malta and the EU from the application in 1990 to membership in 2004, the speaker threw light on the intensive screening and transposition processes that Malta underwent in the pre-accession stage.  How were they carried out?  What was it really like to be there?  Are there any lessons to be learnt?  Where are we now?  Read the paper

The Cross, the Crescent and the Croissant: Religion in a Multi-Cultural European Union is the theme of the seminar to be presented by Prof. Peter G. Xuereb, MESA President, EDRC Chairman and Jean Monnet Chair Professor of European and Comparative Law on Thursday 4th May 2006 at 1730hrs, at the Reading Room, Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort, St Julians. 
The paper will be available shortly on the MESA website.

On 1st June 2006 Dr Antoine Cremona Lecturer of Arbitration at the Faculty of Law at the University of Malta  will present a paper on Arbitration/Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in the Judicial Landscape of the EU.
The paper will be available shortly on the MESA website.

Mr Michael Cohen, Mayor of Kalkara; Vice-President of the Local Councils Association (Malta); Committee of the Regions (CoR) DEVE Commission PES Group Coordinator; and CoR Rapporteur on the Thematic Strategy and Draft Directive on the European Marine Environment is presenting a paper on:
The Thematic Strategy on the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment and the Marine Strategy Directive: 
A Local and Regional Perspective.
The seminar will take place on Tuesday 20th June 2006 at the Reading Room, Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort, St Julians.

2.2. JEAN MONNET RESEARCH PROJECT ON 
       INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE

At the end of March, Prof. Peter G. Xuereb as co-ordinator and a number of sub-coordinators of the Malta Team in the above Project participated in the formal launching of the Project in Padova.  In this Project the EDRC is one of the four partner institutions.  The meeting in Padova was a very good opportunity for all co-ordinators and sub-coordinators to present the work in progress of each individual in the four teams.  The culmination of this Project would be a final Conference in Padova in March 2007 followed by a publication with the papers presented by all Project participants.

2.3. B.A. AND M.A. COURSES AT THE EDRC

2.3.1. B. Eur. Studies, B. Eur. Studies (Hons.)

The Bachelors degree programmes in European Studies are a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of European integration from the standpoint of law, economics, politics and history. Applicants can either join the Bachelors in European Studies (B. Eur. Studies) in which case they also follow another principal area of studies together with European Studies, or else they can join the Bachelors in European Studies Honours (B. Eur. Studies Hons) degree course, in which case they will concentrate mostly on European Studies particularly after the first year of the course as indicated below. The duration of both courses is three years
The EDRC invites international students to submit their application by 15th May 2006.
E-Mail: intoff@um.edu.mt
Further Details

2.3.2. Master of Arts in European Studies

The MA programme is made up of study-units in European integration gathered under three main headings: politics, economics and law. In order to satisfy the requirements for the conferment of the degree, students have to complete 30 credits as follows: 20 credits in the course work and 10 credits for the dissertation. The credits in the course work have to be achieved in the ratio of 6:6:8 from Law, Politics and Economics in whichever order is preferred by the candidate.

Applicants for the MA may either register for the course as full-time students and complete the whole programme of studies over a period of twelve calendar months from the date of registration, or alternatively opt to register as part-time students, in which case they have to complete their studies in a period of 24 calendar months from registration. 
Part-time students are required to complete not more than 12 credits 24 (ECTS) in the first year. In the case of part-time registered students, the dissertation is written and submitted for examination in the second year.
The EDRC invites international students to submit their application by 15th May 2006.
E-Mail: intoff@um.edu.mt
Further Details

2.4. LATEST EDRC PUBLICATIONS

Last year the EDRC published two publications.  The Constitution for Europe: An Evaluation was published following the Conference held on 7th April 2005 in part fulfillment of the Jean Monnet Chair Project. Contents
Another book which was also published last year Anti-Discrimination, Inclusion and Equality in Malta was made available before the Conference held on 15th September 2005 so that the participants would reflect on the current situation in Malta in preparation for the forward-looking perspective of the overseas speakers during the Conference. Contents
Full List of EDRC Publications
 

3. EUROPEAN DOCUMENTATION CENTRE (EDC) ACCESSION LIST
 

4.NEWS AND EVENTS

4.1. MALTA

10th Conference of the International Society for the Study of European Ideas
(ISSEI) The European Mind: Narrative and Identity
University of Malta, Malta
International Conference: 24th - 29th July 2006
The 10th Iinternational Conference of ISSEI taking place in Malta invites scholars from various disciplines such as History, Politics, Literature, Arts, Philosophy, and Religion to examine the European Identity and the multiplicity of narratives in the age of globalization.
E-Mail: Ezra Talmor: issei@nachshonim.org.il
           Prof. Henry Frendo: henry.frendo@um.edu.mt
Further details
 

4.2. EUROPE 

Internet Discussion Forum on the Future of Europe
On Monday 27th March 06 the European Commission launched  an internet discussion forum on the future of Europe, in 20 languages.  This discussion, which all citizens are invited to join, is part of the Commission's "Plan D" for Dialogue, Debate and Democracy in response to a call by the European Council for a period of reflection following the negative votes in France and The Netherlands on the proposed Constitutional Treaty.
Discussion Forum

White Paper on a European Communication Policy 
The institutions of the European Union have often been criticised as suffering from a democratic deficit.  Those who favour this theory insisted that it is due to this democratic deficit that France and the Netherlands failed to ratify the Constitutional Treaty.  Thus, to counter-act this problem the European Commission has issued a number of documents for the period of reflection and beyond. From February to July there is a consultation process going on how the European citizens feel as regards the European Communication Policy.  To participate in this process and to read all the related documents click the following link.
Further details

Europe Direct Report on 2005
In 2005 the Europe Direct service handled 112,000 queries from all 25 Member States and beyond, an increase of more than 100% in just 2 years. 
Key questions were about:
- the European Constitution;
- Turkish EU Membership;
- citizens' right to live;
- freedom of movement of workers and students;
- passengers' rights; and
- equality and inclusion.
Freephone from anywhere within the EU: 00800 67 89 10 11
The Europe Direct call centre is open Mondays to Fridays from 
0900 to 1830 CET, outside these hours one can leave a message on the voice-mail system.
E-mail queries

Info Point on External Co-operation
In May the European Commission will open an Info Point on External Co-operation to present the EU programmes on external relations, co-operation and development to the general public.  This is a joint action between all the European Commission's external relations departments to better communicate towards the stakeholders and wider audiences. 
The EuropeAid External Co-operation will offer a visits service where specialists on the subject will present general topics on external co-operation (i.e. What the European Commission does in the developing world?, Who does what?) or more precise projects (i.e. How the European Commission co-operates to improve water facilities in Africa, or how it develops environment in Asia> or the EU-Mercosur relations).
The EuropeAid External Co-operation will organise conferences regularly to present the new European Commission projects and programmes in the co-operation field (i.e. What is the call for proposal procedure?, How can I apply for a grant?) 
E-Mail: Ines.ESCUDERO-SANCHEZ@cec.eu.int
 

The European Arrest Warrant - The Reality of a Vision
T.M.C Asser Institute 
The Hague, The Netherlands
International Conference: 15th - 17th June 2006
Venue: NH Leewenhorst in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands
On the first day, an overview of the various problems encountered in the implementation of the Framework decision on the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) will be presented by a variety of experts.  These presentations will focus on issues regarding the unity of law and the diminished role of the central authorities, the role of the legal defence, the decentralised approach chosen for the implementation of the framework decision on the EAW and the difficulties met in the application of the set framework decision for specific offences as well as the problems expected in the near future.  A "case analysis setup" will be organised in the afternoon based on hypotetical cases in order to involve all the participants of the conference: practioners, academics, judges, policy makers and NGO officials.  The second day will focus on the future.  Lectures in the morning from speakers from the EU, Canada and USA giving their views on the EAW and on the issue of human rights and fundamental liberties.
E-Mail: conferencemanager@asser.nl
Further details

Balagoevgrad Seminar on Social Fragility
American University in Bulgaria
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
International Conference: 16th - 18th June 2006
Topics of interest include:
- Definitions of social fragility
- Components and factors of fragility and precariousness in our 
   societies
- Assessment of social fragility.  Is social fragility on the rise?
- Mutations in community links, family links and social networks
- Moral values and social cohesion
- Mental and psychological public health issues
- Economic precariousness and social bond
- Ethnic and cultural contradictions
- Mechanisms of the emergence of new major risks
Further details

9th European Network on Industrial Policy (EUNIP) International Conference
University of Limerick
International Conference: 20th - 22nd June 2006
General themes include:
- Drivers of industrial development: large vs small firms;
- Spatial dimensions of industrial development;
- Governance and the determinants of local economic   development;
- Policies to encourage industrial development;
- Technology and innovation policy;
- The evaluation challenge: Lessons from regional and industrial development policies;
- Comparative analysis of industrial development (EU countries vs other regions in the world);
- Globalisation, transnational corporations and FDI; and
- Knowledge intensive services and the learning economy
E-Mail: eunip2006@ul.ie
Further details

10th Manchester Postgraduate Conference in Political Theory
The University of Manchester, UK
International Conference: 28th - 29th June 2006
Conference themes include:
- Ethics and Politics;
- European Philosophy and Politics; 
- Theories of Rights;
- Gender and Politics;
- History of Political Thought;
- Theories of International Relations;
- Theories of Democracy;
- Political Theory and Jurisprudence;
Those interested can send their 300-word abstracts to Brave.New.World@man.ac.uk
Further details

1st Global Studies Association (GSA) Postgraduate and Young Researchers' International Conference
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
International Conference: 29th - 30th June 2006
The central aim of this conference is the bringing together of postgraduate students and young researchers from various countries with the intention of promoting and facilitating the exchange of ideas, dissemination of research, and the establishment of interdisciplinary research networks, in order to promote the mission of GSA.
Themes that will be discussed include:
- Migration and Tourism (Population Movements);
- Poverty and Development;
- Protest and Resistance;
- Imperialism;
- North vs South;
- (Political and Economic) Governance;
- Risk (Health, Security and Environmental);
- Culture and Identity;
- Globalism/Localism;
- Methodology (Researching Globalisation)
Further details

Jean Monnet Conference on "Europe's Democratic Challenges: EU Solutions?"
School of International Studies, University of Trento, Italy
International Conference: 30th June - 1st July 2006
The objective of the Conference is to examine some of the most important questions facing European Democracy. 
The Conference will discuss these themes:
- Europe's Constitutional Future;
- The EU in a Comparative Perspective;
- Democracy in the Candidate States;
- Enlargement and Democracy in the EU;
- The European Social Model(s); and
- Economic Competitiveness
Further details

Exchanging Ideas on Europe 2006
Visions of Europe: Key Problems, New Trajectories
UACES  36th Annual Conference and 11th Research 
Conference
Limerick, Ireland
International Conference: 31st August - 2nd September 2006
Further details 

Beyond the Crisis of the European Project?  The Political Economy of Europe and the Political Economics in Europe in (post-) disciplinary perspectives
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
International Conference: 31st August - 2nd September 2006
The workshop brings together critical scholarship on the political economy of the European Union and European capitalist economies.  It seeks to contribute to the understanding of the crisis of the European Project by moving beyond disciplinary and theoretical boundaries.
Further details

Interdisciplinary Conference on "Image and Identity in Contemporary Europe"
University of Wales, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
International Conference: 7th - 9th September 2006
This Conference will focus on how individual states (or national groups within states) perceive themselves and/or are perceived by others since the Second World War.  Whilst speakers may choose to address the construction of identities through historical discourse, state building institutional development, music or literary forms, the Conference would especially like to encourage a debate on the role of the visual media, such as cinema, photography and the internet in the creation/representation of identity.
E-Mail: l.rorato@bangor.ac.uk / c.tully@bangor.ac.uk

ECPR's 1st Graduate Conference on "Contentious Politics"
University of Essex, UK
International Conference: 7th - 10th September 2006
Venue: University of Essex
Main themes:
- The Role of the State;
- Citizenship and Identity;
- Terrorism and Violence; and
- New Social Movements.
Further details

ECPR Standing Group on the European Union: Third Pan-European Conference on EU Politics
International Conference: 21st - 23rd September 2006
The Conference will discuss the following topics:
- Theories of European Integration;
- EU institutions and Politics;
- Political Economy of the European Union;
- EU Law and Policies;
- Equality, Diversity, and European Integration;
- EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy;
- Foreign Policy and External Relations; and
- Migration and European Integration
Further details
 

4.3. INTERNATIONAL

4th International Conference on "New Directions in the Humanities"
University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
International Conference: 3rd -  6th July 2006
The main themes are:
- Meaning and Communication;
- Frames of Reference for the Humanities;
- Agendas for the Humanities;
- The Humanities in Practice;
Further details

Columbia International Affairs Online
This site provides useful sources for college and university use in international relations, comparative politics, area studies, law and human rights, diplomatic history, economics, environmental studies, sociology, and Model UN.
 

5. SUMMER SCHOOLS

Summer School on International Criminal Law
Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies and the T.M.C. Asser Institute
Date: 26th June - 7th July 2006
Venue: The Campus, The Hague
The intended audiences are (nearly) graduated law students and young professionals with an obvious interest in international criminal law. 
E-mail: mleons@campusdenhaag.nl
Further details

The Politics, Economy and Societies in the Enlarged EU
Collegium Minor Pragensis, Prague, Czech Republic
International Summer School
Date: 2nd - 9th July 2006
The study units include politics, economy and societies in the enlarged EU, and a general programme on the state of the EU.  This experience includes also sightseeing in Prague.
E-mail: Ingrid@collegium.org
Further details
 

6. GRANTS AND COURSES

Jean Monnet Conference on "Europe's Democratic Challenges: EU Solutions?"
School of International Studies, University of Trento, Italy
International Conference: 30th June - 1st July 2006
The Conference will make available 7 grants for young scholars (candidates who have had a PhD awarded in the last five years or PhD candidates at an advanced stage in their research) of EUR 400.  The grants will be primarily for authors selected to present papers but they may be awarded to young scholars who would like to attend as discussants.
Further details

Beyond the Crisis of the European Project?  The Political Economy of Europe and the Political Economics in Europe in (post-) disciplinary perspectives
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
International Conference: 31st August - 2nd September 2006
Funding for PhD students:  There is an application for a contribution to cover some of the expenses for PhD students and young scholars pending.  Students from Eastern Europe will be preferred.
Further details

Grant Programmes for Study Visits in Austria
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture offers grant programmes for students, graduates and researchers for study visits in Austria in the academic year 2006/7.
Further details

Intensive Seminar on the EU
College of Europe, Brussels
Dates: Compact formula: 10th - 14th July 2006
            Classic formula: 3rd - 21st July 2006
Deadline: Register and Pay by 1st May 06 - 10% Discount 
Final Deadline: 5th June 06
For a 13th year in a row the College will be organising its Intensive Seminar on the EU in Bruges - a highly successful training event which combines study and discussions on European issues and professional skills development with insights into the Brussels EU scene and contacts with professionals from all over Europe. 
Further details

New MSc European Identities 
LSE European Institute
A new MSc degree in "European Identities" will be provided by the European Institute at the London School of Economics from 2006/7.  The degree programme is open to graduates across the humanities and social sciences and aims to respond to:
- the increasingly important public debate on the meaning and limits of Europe;
- the domestic impact of the European Union for citizenship, and the relationship 
  between civil society and the state;
- the relevance of a transnational sociology; and
- the policy implications of ethnic diversity and migration.
Further details

New MSc European Union Politics and Law 
Edinburgh University
The MSc in European Union Politics and Law is designed to equip students with an advanced knowledge of the legal, political and policy processes of the European Union, including constitutional issues, foreign and security policy, regulation, multi-level governance, and the relation of citizens to the EU.  The MSc is available as a taught or research degree.  The taught degree prepares students for professional and specialist practical work on the EU.  The research degree is designed to prepare students for further academic training at PhD level.  The degrees are delivered by a tem of internationally renowned experts on the EU in Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Studies and its School of Law, which hosts one of Europe's longest established research centres on the EU, The Europa Institute.  EUPL offers advanced study in an outstanding and active research environment in the heart of one of Europe's great cities.
Further details

Research Studentship
University of Paisley Business School
Regional Development in the Czech Republic, Slovaki and/or Poland.  This studentship covers the broad area of regional development in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and/or Poland, looking at the social, political and economic preconditions for successful development.  This builds on an established research theme in the Centre for Contemporary European Studies (CCES).  CCES have a research record and extensive publications on a range of themes in relation to recent developments in these countries and contacts with universities in all of them.
E-Mail: martin.myant@paisley.ac.uk
Further details
 

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