News letter Vol. 8 • Issue 39 • July - September 2012
Economic Governance On the road - Jamal Shahin presents his research in Northern Europe Policy Forum: ‘Economic Efficiency: The Sole Concern of Modern Antitrust Policy?’
Migration & Diversity
Foreign & Security Policy
The Europeanisation of fmaily migration policies and politics
Eva Gross joins Task Force on prevention of mass atrocities
Notes from Bangalore by Neepa Acharya
Luis Simon awarded FWO grant for research at Columbia University
Summer Schools
Alexander Mattelaer addresses ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Associates’ News
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4
Educational Development Autumn Rejuvenation Summer School on European Policy-Making EU Modules: update Bridging the Gap: back to school Alexandra Mihai at UACES annual conference
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Environment & Devt. Climate change, sustainable development & the EU strategic partnerships The future of European Energy Presentation at the EEAS on EU performance
IES Publications Academic Articles New Book: “The Performance of the EU in International Institutions” by S. Oberthür, K. E. Jørgensen & J. Shahin
Laura Boone at IFLOS Summer Academy
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IES Celebrates 10 Years of Success
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with Ben’s book, which could be purchased after the event. After the rather technical nature of the first event, there followed a more convivial and social event. The ‘Expo-Reception’ as it was called, was the culmination of the past ten years in pictorial form, featuring images of the IES from the very beginning, when there were a dozen staff members, to the present day, with 100 teachers, researchers, staff and visiting fellows from around the globe. This display, which took several weeks’ worth of planning and design to put together, highlighted some of the key achievements of the IES team, as well as more light-hearted moments over the years. Against this colourful backdrop, and in the company of colleagues from the VUB and Vesalius College, the newly appointed Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, Prof. Dr. Jan Cornelis, gave a speech that touched upon some of these highlights. First of all, he drew the audience’s attention to some impressive figures: the 400 Advanced Master degrees and nine PhDs awarded over the ten years, as well as the many more Doctoral researchers who will defend their PhDs in the coming months. He
The year 2012 marks 10 years of existence of
researcher, presented the main findings and themes
the Institute for European Studies at the Vrije
of his new book, “Economic Efficiency: The Sole
Universiteit Brussel. The start of the academic year
Concern of Modern Antitrust Policy? The role of
was deemed an ideal moment to celebrate and
non-efficiency considerations under Article 101
reflect upon these 10 years of success. Therefore,
TFEU”. Ben’s presentation was followed by a keynote
a number of events were organised on Friday 28
address. For this purpose, the IES was honoured to
September 2012.
welcome Dr. Ioannis Lianos, Reader in Competition law and Economics at University College London.
The day kicked off with a book launch and policy
His expert views were greatly appreciated by the
forum. Dr. Ben Van Rompuy, former IES PhD
audience, as was the chance to get acquainted Continued on p. 2
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10 Years IES
as our guest speaker. His lecture on the EU Constitutional Order was the official opening lecture of the IES academic year. In his lecture, Judge Rosas asked whether the European Union most resembles a state or an intergovernmental organisation. The answer was simple: both and neither. He went on to explain how the EU has developed a constitutional order. Judge Rosas addressed four points. First, the EU has a constitutional order through its hierarchy of laws; the EU’s
then went on to praise the IES’ successful record in
primary law is basically constitutional. Second, the EU has
obtaining external funding:
a unique relationship with its member states, dealing not only with the governments but also many organs and sub-
“I am particularly pleased to learn from this
components of the member states. Third, the EU engages
exposition that the Institute is thriving well on
in negotiations with third states and international
externally funded research projects, such as the
organisations. It cooperates with its member states to
FP6 and FP7 framework projects from the European
conclude mixed agreements, a phenomenon that you
Commission, by which it is proven once more, that
cannot find elsewhere. Fourth, the EU has a system
you don’t need to be a 30,000+ university to be
of checks and balances. Here it should be noted that
successful in research.”
national courts and the EU Court of Justice together form the EU judicial system. Taking the gradual
He mentioned IES’ cooperation with the VUB and
constitutionalisation of the EU into consideration,
the fact that the Institute will keep striving for
Judge Rosas concluded by suggesting that the EU
new opportunities for synergy with the university.
most resembles a federation. Quoting Jean-Jacques
Prof. Cornelis also stressed the importance of the
Rousseau, he hopes the EU is “une bonne fédération
university’s location in Brussels – a fact that hasn’t
initiative”.
gone unnoticed by other universities who keep springing up in this city – the heart of the European
After this inaugural lecture, there was again time
Union. We should not, however, be complacent; to
for more ebullient celebrations. The ‘IES family’
grasp the opportunities this provides, we need to be
celebrated in style at l’Arsenal, near to the VUB
agile and entrepreneurial. To this end, he stressed
campus, with a reception, dinner and dancing.
that collaboration with partner universities was the
With informal speeches, it was also a moment
only way forward, and the newly-formed Brussels
to thank everyone who has contributed to the
University Alliance is an ideal opportunity.
success of the Institute. Anthony Antoine, Executive Director, praised the President of the
It was a enjoyable moment to reflect on IES’
IES, Bart De Schutter, for his monumental role
achievements and the challenges which lie ahead.
in founding and steering the Institute as well as
The audience greatly appreciated the colourful and
everyone at the IES who has played a part in its
detailed exhibition, especially enjoying the more
success. The two live bands proved popular,
amusing photos. The desserts also went down a
judging by the presence on the dance floor,
treat.
as did the various culinary options available. It was a great opportunity to catch up with
Alongside its own 10th anniversary, the IES also
former colleagues and the ideal way to end
celebrated the 10th intake of students in its
a splendid day of festivities.
MSc programme on European Integration and Development, and the 40th intake of students in
We look forward to the following 10 years
the LLM International and European Law. To mark
of research, teaching and everything in
this occasion, we had the honour of inviting Prof. Dr.
between, in order to be able to celebrate
Allan Rosas, Judge at the European Court of Justice,
another successful decennium of IES.
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Economic Governance On the road – Jamal presents his research in Northern Europe
“Exclusive focus on efficiency in antitrust policy creates obscurity”: Senior Associate Ben Van Rompuy
September is traditionally the start of the conference season for many, and this year was no exception. IES Senior Researcher Jamal Shahin participated in a panel on local government at UACES in Passau, where he presented the work carried out in the context of the Citadel Statement, a transnational, EU-level movement designed from the local level, in order to help implement the Digital Agenda, notably the aspects on eGovernment.
One of the research streams in the Economic Governance cluster deals with value reconciliation in modern societies. Taking the dual, even paradoxical process, of globalisation and fragmentation as its basis, the
Governance issues were also on the agenda in
objective of the cluster is to research and develop mechanisms to reconcile economic and non-economic
September in Tampere, Finland. There Jamal
values in international, EU and national decision-making. The work cuts across various areas of law and
was joined by fellow IES postdoc Joachim
policy, and makes comparisons between jurisdictions facing similar challenges.
Koops, who had convened a panel with Hanna Ojanen.
The recent book launch of the EECG Senior Associate Ben Van Rompuy, held in the form of a Policy Forum on 28 September, is a great example of this work. To mark the publication of his book, “Economic
Jamal presented his ongoing research on
Efficiency: The Sole Concern of Modern Antitrust Policy? The role of non-efficiency considerations under
the concept of ‘performance’ in EU external
Article 101 TFEU” (Kluwer Law International), Ben, who successfully defended his PhD at the IES last
relations and his attempts to investigate and
year, convincingly claimed that over the past decade, we
assess the way in which the European Union
have witnessed an apparent convergence of views among
interacts with international organisations. In
competition agency officials in the European Union and the
many cases, especially those concerned with
United States on the appropriate goals of competition law
performance of the EU, studies have tried to
enforcement. Antitrust policy, it is now suggested, should
examine the degree of success, or added
focus on enhancing economic efficiency to the exclusion
value of EU engagement, in specific policy
of other social objectives and values. Concentrating
areas. Attempts to systematise such analyses
exclusively on efficiency, we are to believe, will promote
over a range of policy areas are difficult with
consumer welfare. Recent EU Commission Guidelines on
our current methods and theories, as we
the application of Article 101 TFEU (competition restricting
need to ensure coherence and comparability
agreements) appear to banish considerations that cannot
over variations in the EU’s role in different
be construed as having an economic efficiency value – such
policy areas.
as the environment, cultural policy, employment, public health, and consumer protection – from the application of
Jamal’s research attempts to introduce
Article 101 TFEU.
literature from the field of Public Management, particularly that on performance evaluation, in
Arguing that the professed adoption of an exclusive efficiency
order to examine potentials for development
approach to Article 101 TFEU does not preclude, but rather
of a clear set of tools to evaluate the
obfuscates the role of non-efficiency considerations, Ben’s
performance of the EU.
timely contribution accomplishes the following objectives: •traces the genesis of the shift to an efficiency orientation
Subsequently, in Copenhagen and Malmö
in EU and US antitrust policy and dispels several ingrained misconceptions that underpin it; •demonstrates
there was a two-day, two-country conference
the close interrelationship between evolving images of the purpose of antitrust, the development of related
organised by the EUCLID Network. Jamal’s
enforcement norms, and enforcement output;•provides in-depth analyses of a number of analytically rich
presentations concerend the perils of
cases in the audiovisual sector (and particularly those related to sports rights;•explores what the role
eParticipation and addressed an audience
of non-efficiency considerations in the application of Article 101 TFEU could and should be under the
of members of ‘third sector’ organisations.
modernized enforcement regime. Following Ben’s presentation of the main themes of his book, we were honoured to have Dr. Ioannis Lianos, Reader in Competition law and Economics at University College London, as guest speaker.
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Migration Diversity Notes from Bangalore
by Neepa Acharya
Senior Researcher Ilke Adam in Tampere: the Europeanisation of family migration policies and politics In the 2000s, family migration policies replaced asylum policies as the most salient and contentious migration issue in many European countries. This has resulted in a wave of restrictive reforms of admission policies for foreign spouses and other family members. In parallel, the communitarization of asylum and migration policies by the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) and the introduction of Community law in the early 2000s, have changed the politics of migration in Europe in crucial ways. The effects
As fieldwork for my dissertation project concerning
of gated communities, and informal meetings.
of the introduction of the EU Directive on Family
entrepreneurs of Indian origin living in the EU and
Upon arriving to Bangalore, I settled in Whitefield,
Reunification and the evolving jurisprudence of
US who have decided to return to India, I spent the
a ‘suburb’ of Bangalore that is currently the
the EU Court of Justice based on this Directive
last 8 months conducting fieldwork in Bangalore,
hub of returnee residences within luxury gated
on the domestic politics of family migration
India and returned to Brussels this summer. As an
villa communities that resemble Spanish-style
are now gradually becoming apparent. At the
international hub for the global IT sector, Bangalore
Californian subdivisions. Whitefield also contains
6th pan-European conference on EU Politics
is known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India.’ Between
the ITPL, a massive office-park area that contains
(SGEU ECPR Conference, Tampere, 13-15
2004-2009, the Indian Government estimates that
campuses of almost every influential multinational
October 2012), IES Senior researcher Ilke
50,000 overseas citizens of India have returned
corporation in the world. Settling into Bangalore felt
Adam, together with Saskia Bonjour (Leiden
to the city of Bangalore. Entrepreneurs of Indian
surprisingly natural and the weather was hot but a
University), co-organised a panel on the
origin based in Silicon Valley alone are estimated
welcome change from Brussels’ clouds. Every day
Europeanization of family migration policies
to have a net worth of $250 billion dollars (Fortune
was a new adventure. One day, I was riding home
and politics. The different presentations in that
2007), so their relative impact is quite significant.
with the world-famous filmmaker, ShekharKapur
panel explored both horizontal and vertical
My fieldwork was devoted to getting to know the
and he pointed out the window and said: “Look at
processes of Europeanisation. After very
city, its design and layout, and to conduct in-depth
this street here. People are moving back because
stimulating discussions, plans were explored
interviews with returned entrepreneurs while
India provides constant stimulation. Look at the
for publishing a special issue journal on this
spending the rest of my time as a participant
colors, the movement, the people. One moment
highly politicised but yet too little researched
observer at networking events, conferences, tours
provides a lifetime of smells, images, noises…that
Europeanised policy area.
Summer Schools
is India.”
noteworthy for encouraging interaction with
could impede future ratifications of the ICC-Statute
accomplished scholars.
by Non-State Parties.
doctoral students took part in various summer
In August, Mathias Holvoet attended the Salzburg
In July, Irene Wieczorek took part in the Summer
schools relating to their specific research fields.
Law School on International Criminal, International
School organised by the Academy of European
Humanitarian and International Human Rights
Law of the European Union at the European
Mathijs van Dijk participated in the doctoral
Law. The topic of his doctorate on defining crimes
University Institute in Florence. The theme was
summer school on theoretical and methodological
against humanity in the ICC-Statute was touched
the independence and legitimacy of the EU
approaches in Migration Studies hosted by the
upon in some of the lectures. For example,
Institutional system. The outstanding panel of
Interdisciplinary Research Group in Immigration
Steven Kay QC, defense Counsel for Uhuru
teaching staff included: Grainne de Bruca from
at the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona,
Kenyatta for his trial in Kenya argued for a narrow
New York University, who gave a distinguished
Spain (GRITIM-UPF) and the IMISCOE (International
interpretation of the concept. His arguments were
lecture on the future of Europe; Daniel Halberstam
Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in
mainly policy-oriented. According to Kay, adopting
on ‘Structures of authority in the United States and
Europe) Research Network. This was the first
a too wide approach would mean that all kinds of
Europe’; and Jean Paul Jacqué, Professor at the
time that IMISCOE has used the summer school
international and transnational criminal conduct
University of Strasbourg and Honorary Director
format, allowing it to bring together a larger
would fall under the rubric of crimes against
General of the Council of Europe, who analysed
group of doctoral students for a comprehensive
humanity. In addition, a wide approach would
the current status of the Commission and whether
study programme. The format of the school was
infringe too much on state sovereignty, which
its influence is waning.
During the summer months, the migration
European Foreign & Security Policy Associates’ News Eva Gross joins Task Force on prevention of
Alexander gives guest lecture at the European
mass atrocities
Security and Defence College
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Hongyu Wang, Senior Associate, chaired the seminar
‘Chinese Economic Diplomacy’ at the
Eva Gross has been invited
Alexander gave a guest lecture entitled ‘CSDP
Annual Tsinghua Community conference of Politics
to participate in the ‘Task
Operations Planning: From Political Decision
and International Relations in July in Beijing. In
Force for the improvement
to OPLAN’ at the CSDP orientation course the
August, he presented his paper “EU model and
of the EU’s capabilities to
European Security and Defence College organised
East Asia regionalization” at the UIBE international
prevent mass atrocities’.
on behalf of the Cypriot Presidency in the week of
conference on East Asia Regional Integration and
Co-chaired by Professor
17-21 September.
the Role of the US, Beijing. He will participate and
Karen Smith (LSE) and
present his paper “EU-China economic diplomatic
Professor Christoph
Anna Stahl publishes paper on trilateral
relations in 21st century ” at the 4th Shanghai Youth
Meyer (King’s College) and supported by the
development cooperation between the EU,
Academic Conference on Global Issues in October
Foundation for the International Prevention of
China and Africa
in Shanghai. Dr. Hongyu Wang has been awarded a
Genocide and Mass Atrocities in Budapest, the
three month postdoctal research scholarship byVLIR-
task force will review and assess the existing
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Anna Stahl published a
UOS. Thus, from December 2012 to February 2013,
discussion paper entitled
he will be at the VUB to prepare his publication on
“Trilateral development
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European Union, China and Africa: What prospects
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Anna Katharina Stahl ! !
and published as a report in early 2013.
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Luis Simón awarded FWO long stay abroad
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for South Africa?” within the Discussion Paper Series of the Centre of
grant for research semester at Columbia
Chinese Studies. Taking the example of South
University
Africa, the paper aims at advancing the debate around trilateral development cooperation Starting in September 2012,
between the European Union, China and Africa.
Luis Simón has taken up
The paper presents the main findings of Anna’s
a visiting fellowship at
field research conducted in South Africa in the
Columbia University in New
beginning of 2012, which was funded by a travel
York. While at Columbia,
grant of the Flemish Research Foundation (FWO).
Luis will conduct research on the evolution of America’s military and strategic posture in Europe and the broader
Esther Marijnen in Geneva
Middle East and its implications for European Esther Marijnen, who recently joined the IES, participated in a workshop organised by GCSP – Geneva
security.
Center for Security Policy – financed by the European Commission, with the overall theme: ‘The European Alexander addresses ACP-EU Joint
Union and Crisis Management Operations: Towards More Strategic Thinking’, 24-27 September 2012,
Parliamentary Assembly
Geneva, Switzerland. During the workshop Esther presented her PhD research proposal and brainstormed with the group on the research projects of the other participants. The group included 16 young scholars September,
(PhD students and Post-docs) all focusing on EU crisis management. The group was guided and received
Alexander Mattelaer
feedback by the two academic course directors: Dr. Thierry Tardy and Dr. Gustav Lindstrom of the GCSP.
On
21
addressed the Committee on Political Affairs of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
In
his
presentation, he analysed the threats posed by military coups d’état in the ACP countries. Alexander argued that military coups must be interpreted as the ultimate climax of festering crises in civil-military relations. He stressed that the conditional pursuit of multilateral security assistance programmes are the only practical means available to the international community to mitigate these threats. Such programmes must be aimed at increasing military professionalism and improving democratic oversight.
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EDU Educational Development Unit
AUTUMN REJUVENATION
EU modules, as well as contributing strongly to
placed to head the module constructed from the IES’
the growing teaching and training requirements
own Autumn Lecture Series on the decarbonisation
two major
of the EDU. After a strong recruitment drive that
of Europe.
EDU projects come to fruition. The first is the
generated 51 applications, the EDU is delighted to
consolidation of the Jean Monnet ‘Bridging the Gap’
have Magdalena on board, knowing that its expertise
The second module offered within this inaugural
project, which saw a variety of activities including
is genuinely expanded by her strong teaching
MSc is the EU Redux course that introduces students
a successful 2-day workshop in May, training
expertise, her background as an economist and
to EU institutions, decision-making and a variety of
secondary teachers from across and beyond the EU.
her enthusiasm for the world of distance learning.
public and foreign policies. The EDU both teach and
Related activities include a mini online module, a
To support our transition to the new online module
coordinate guest lecturing of this module, offered
handbook, and a small number of webpages, which
set-up, and to successfully execute the range of
in the autumn term. Come spring 2013, the EDU
will take their final form after the second and final
remaining ‘Bridging the Gap’ tasks under our Jean
will oversee the management of thesis supervision
2-day November workshop. The second project
Monnet grant, the EDU is delighted that Silviu Piros
between the IES and VeCo, in addition to liaising
was the intense attention given to the rewriting of
has joined its ranks as an intern. Silviu comes fresh
with VeCo on the overall quality assurance of the
the existing three EU online modules into a brand-
from the 2011-2012 EuroMaster cohort, having
new MSc.
new set up of 5 fully accredited modules. This also
achieved the highest mark of the year amongst
includes the detailed work required in transferring
full-time students for his final thesis.
This summer season has seen
to them to Chamilo, a cutting-edge new learning online platform.
The EDU is also pleased to welcome doctoral student Tomas Malty, from the University of Manchester,
The EDU team has also has a new look, including
who joins the IES with an ECPR grant to research
one new permanent member of staff, Dr Magdalena
abroad, and who will act as the module convenor
Sapala, who joins in the capacity of a post-doc,
for one of the two modules offered by the EDU for
working with Alexandra Mihai to ensure a smooth
the new MSc at Vesalius College (VeCo). Tomas has
and timely transition from the old to the new online
a background in energy security, and is very well
Summer School on European Policy-Making In July the IES organised together with its long-standing partner, the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, the 9th edition of the Summer School on European Policy-making. Nineteen students from thirteen countries, in and beyond the EU, gathered for an intensive twoweeks programme in Brussels in Vienna. Coming from different academic backgrounds, the students had a keen interest in European affairs and the EDU team offered them a comprehensive line-up of lectures on the structure and the functioning of the EU institutions, as well as the EU decision-making process and various policy areas. Complementary to the lectures, the students visited the main EU institutions and had a chance to discuss with practitioners about their day-to-day work and the policy fields they are involved in. In Vienna, the lectures focused on the legal and economic aspects of European integration and the students visited the Fundamental Rights Agency. True to the active learning principle, the Summer School also includes two simulation games, whereby the students experience the negotiations environment of the Council of Ministers. This year, the games on EU foreign policy and EU-wide pandemic threat offered the participants a chance to apply all the knowledge accumulated during the two weeks and end the Summer School on an interactive and fun note.
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One step closer to the new EU modules on Chamillo
Alexandra in Passau at the UACES annual conference
On 2-5 September 2012, Alexandra Mihai took part in the annual University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) At the beginning of 2012, the IES decided to update
is to produce a modern and attractive online course
conference in Passau. The conference brought
its distance learning platform. In collaboration with
on European affairs.
together more than 400 academics doing
VUB’s IT Department, the Institute chose to move
research in various aspects of EU integration,
its modules to the VUB-endorsed platform called
In parallel with the content updates, the process
from more theoretical approaches to legal,
Chamillo.
of the customization of our learning platform
economic and political analysis as well as
continued at full speed throughout the summer.
teaching and research methods.
The current content was divided into five modules:
All of the main required functionalities have now
European history; Institutions of the European
been integrated and September was dedicated to a
Alexandra presented her paper “The Virtual
Union; EU decision-making and law; European
thorough process of user acceptance testing. This
Classroom. Teaching European Studies
policies and European information sources. So far
is an essential step in giving the ‘green light’ to
through webinars” in the first of the two
most of the work has focused on amending and
starting the actual transfer of the modules to the
panels dedicated to teaching and learning
updating the content of the first three modules.
new platform. The testing process of the essential
EU studies.
They now include approximately 150 pages. The
features is scheduled to finish in mid-October and
text has been enhanced with various complementary
will be followed by a few further developments
The paper looks into the use of synchronous
resources, links to external websites and audiovisual
aimed to increase the usability of the modules.
e-learning tools in teaching European studies,
materials such as pictures and movies. Our final goal
taking as a case study the Wednesday Webinar series organised by the IES. The focus on the paper is on the teachers’ perception of
‘Bridging the Gap’ project: back to school
and experience with the webinar tool. The findings of the research conducted through
The “Bridging the Gap” project, part of the EU Life-Long learning Programme, “Learning EU in Schools” stream
a questionnaire point to the fact that the
is well under way. The EDU held the first teachers workshop in Brussels on 14-15 May and the second one
synchronous e-learning tool is perceived
is scheduled for 12-13 November. Beside the workshop, the first four webinars offered the participants
as useful but is used with best results in
a chance to debate various aspects of teaching EU topics, from simulation games to various tools and
conjunction with face-to-face lectures and/or
resources as well as tips for curriculum building. The recordings of these webinars can be accessed on the
asynchronous e-learning platforms.
IES website. Two more webinars are scheduled in November and December, aiming to inform participants of different opportunities of collaboration among European schools, including the funding available for
The other papers in the panel addressed
such projects. The EDU team is also currently working on developing the online module and the handbook
issues such as student mobility, study visits
“Teaching EU for teachers” that will be available in January 2013.
and skills and employability. The panel was followed by a lively discussion about the development and delivery of a EU studies curriculum. Alexandra also chaired the second teaching and learning panel, including papers on simulation games, explaining complexity and adding the EU level in teaching citizenship. Both panels offered a great opportunity to exchange teaching practices with peers from various universities in Europe and beyond.
8
Environment Sustainable Development Climate change, sustainable development and the EU strategic partnerships
a comparative analysis of the findings.
Presentation at the EEAS on EU performance at the UNFCCC
Sebastian Oberthür and Lisanne Groen presented FRIDE (Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales
a first draft of their paper on “the EU-South Africa
On 20 September, IES PhD researcher Lisanne
y el Diálogo Exterior, Madrid) and the Egmont
strategic partnership in the field of climate change
Groen gave a joint presentation with Arne
Institute (Brussels) have launched the European
and sustainable development” at a workshop on 5
Niemann, Prof. of International Relations
Strategic Partnerships Observatory (ESPO)
July. This was attended by the organisers from FRIDE
(University of Mainz), at the European External
programme. Its purpose is to monitor the evolution
(Giovanni Grevi) and the Egmont Institute (Thomas
Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels about the EU’s
and output of EU strategic partnerships and to
Renard), the paper authors and by officials from the
performance at the Conferences of the Parties
provide a stream of timely, tailor-made analyses
European External Action Service (EEAS) who work
to the UNFCCC in Copenhagen (2009), Cancún
from experts in Europe and beyond. A project on
with the strategic partnerships.
(2010) and Durban (2011). The presentation
“Climate change, sustainable development and the
was part of a two-day seminar on climate
EU strategic partnerships” focuses on four specific
Sebastian and Lisanne have been working on a
change organised by the European Institute
EU strategic partnerships, namely those with Brazil,
second version of the paper. The final report,
of Public Administration (EIPA). Officials from
India, China and South Africa. Separate papers will
including all papers, is expected to appear in
various divisions of the EEAS attended the
address each partnership and a final report will draw
October.
seminar to get a better understanding of the topic.
Brainstorm on the Future of European Energy
of eight participants each discussing the various
for carbon lock-in, and thus a longer transition
pathways to achieve a carbon-free energy system
time to the low-carbon economy. Participants all
On 19 September, researcher Claire Dupont took
in the EU by 2050, several ideas emerged, but it
noted the urgency required in decision-making for
part in an event organised in London by CNBC, on
was clear that no single silver bullet solution exists.
a sustainable energy system in 2050.
event brought together policymakers, academics,
While Shell representatives spoke of the need
The brainstorming session was part of a series
industry representatives and members of civil
to promote natural gas as a transition fuel, the
of events organised by CNBC called “energy
society to discuss ideas on how to solve the crisis
participants and practitioners in the room clearly
opportunities”. Some selected information on the
in the future of European energy. With ten tables
dismissed this idea as promoting unnecessary risks
event can be found at www.energyopportunities.tv.
Laura sails through Summer School on Uses and Protection of the Sea
as well as workshops on delimitation and marine
the future of European energy. This “brainstorming”
environmental protection were provided. To name
“For me, the great value of the Summer Academy lies
a few, this year’s Summer Academy was taught by
in its unique venue, its intensity and the fact that it
none other than Thomas A Mensah, David Attard,
covers both international Law of the Sea as well as
Rüdiger Wolfrum, John Hare and Martin Stopford.
Maritime Law. I very much enjoyed the opportunity
To complete the experience, students have the
to connect and exchange views with colleagues
choice to write a resolution or to participate in a
from all over the world, leading to interesting
moot court held in the Courtroom of the Tribunal.
discussions both within and outside the classroom.
Vice-President of the Tribunal, Judge Helmut Türk,
I have returned from the Summer Academy with a
Doris König, Alexaner Proelss and Christoph Hasche
broadened perspective and new ideas to be further
were this years judges.
developed in my research. It has been a most valuable experience.”
During the summer, Laura Boone participated in the sixth International Foundation for the Law of the Sea (IFLOS) Summer Academy hosted at the seat of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea in Hamburg, Germany. This sixth edition, entitled “Uses and Protection of the Sea – Legal, Economic and Natural Science Perspectives,” took place from 22 July - 18 August and involved 35 participants from 32 different countries. The IFLOS Summer academy is an intense four week course, covering both fundamental and contemporary issues of international Law of the Sea and international Maritime Law. A combination of both high-quality teaching sessions by judges from the tribunal, renowned academics and practitioners
9
IES Publications
Biedenkopf, Katja. 2012. Environmental Leadership Through the Diffusion of Environmental Pioneering Policy. In Rigling Gallagher, Deborah (ed.) Environmental Leadership: A Reference Handbook. SAGE Reference Series on Leadership. London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi. SAGE Publications: 105-112. Biedenkopf, Katja and DaeYoung Park. 2012. A Toxic Issue? Global Leadership in Comprehensive Chemicals Management. In Rigling Gallagher, Deborah (ed.) Environmental Leadership: A Reference Handbook. SAGE Reference Series on Leadership. London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi. SAGE Publications: 782-791. Biedenkopf, Katja. 2012. Emissions Trading – A Transatlantic Journey for an Idea? KFG ‘The Transformative Power of Europe’ Working Paper No. 45. Available at: http://www.polsoz. fu-berlin.de/en/v/transformeurope/publications/working_paper/index.html Devuyst, Youri. 2012.”The Constitutional and Lisbon Treaties”, in: The Oxford Handbook of the European Union (Erik Jones, Anand Menon & Stephen Weatherill, eds.), Oxford University Press, pp. 163-178.
The Performance of the EU in International Institutions
Devuyst, Youri. (2012).‘The European Council and the CFSP after the Lisbon Treaty’, in: European Foreign Affairs Review, vol. 17, no. 3: 327–350.
Edited by Sebastian Oberthür, Knud Erik Jørgensen and Jamal Shahin. Routledge: Abingdon, 2012
Dupont, Claire. 2012. “Book review. Massai, Leonardo, 2011. European Climate and Clean Energy Law and Policy.” Carbon and Climate Law Review, vol. 2, pp. 175-177.
The Performance of the EU in International Institutions marks one of the first attempts to
Gouritin, Armelle. 2012. “Water management and protection in France”, in Environmental
systematically analyse the subject. It focuses on the
Protection in Multi-Layered Systems. Comparative lessons from the water sector, Francesco
role of the EU in decision-making within international
Palermo et Mariachiara Alberton (Eds.), Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, pp. 433-462
organizations and regimes as a major locus of global governance. The book unpacks the concept of EU
Gross, Eva. 2012. The EU and Asia: Towards Proactive Engagement? In S. Biscop and R.
performance into four core elements: effectiveness
Whitman (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of European Security. London, Routledge pp.
(goal achievement); efficiency (ratio between outputs
201-210
accomplished and costs incurred); relevance (of the EU for its priority stakeholders); and financial/
Gross, Eva. 2012. The EU in Afghanistan. In R. Whitman and S. Wolff (eds.) The EU as a
resource viability (the ability of the performing
Global Conflict Manager. London, Routledge pp. 107-119
organization to raise the funds required). Based on the case studies herein, the findings presented
Gross, Eva. EU Contributions to Security Sector Reform in Afghanistan: Towards a
in this book relate to the identified core elements
Comprehensive Approach? In H.-G. Ehrhart, S. Gareis and C. Pentland (eds.) Afghanistan in
of performance with a particular emphasis on the
the Balance: Counterinsurgency, Comprehensive Approach, and Political Order. Montreal,
dimensions of ‘effectiveness’ and ‘relevance’. Most
McGill-Queen’s University Press 2012: 111-122
notably, the EU appears, on balance and over the past two decades, to have become much more
Sattich, Thomas. 2012. “Germany’s Energy Transition, the Internal Electricity Market and
relevant for its member states when acting within
Europe’s Future Energy System”, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), SWP Comments
international institutions. The book highlights four
27, August 2012, pp. 1-8.
particular factors explaining EU performance in international institutions: the status of relevant
Stahl, Anna. 2012. “Trilateral development cooperation between the European Union, China
EU legislation and policies, the legal framework
and Africa: What prospects for South Africa?”
conditions including the relevant changes that the Lisbon Treaty has brought about, domestic EU
Tintin, Cem. 2012. “The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment on Labor Income: Evidence
politics, and the international context.
from OECD Countries”, International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 51-60. ISSN: 1309-8055.
For more information and to purchase the book: Tintin, Cem. 2012. “Foreign Direct Investment, Productivity Spillovers and Labor Quality”, http://www.routledge.com/books/
International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 57-66. ISSN:
details/9780415622394/
1309-8055.
Price: 85 GBP
Woodward, Alison. (2012). “Gender and European Union Politics”, Perspectives on Europe, Spring Vol. 42 No.1 pp. 44 – 50
10
IES in the media
Alexander Mattelaer : NATO’nun Bundan Sonraki Tavrı Nasıl Olacak? Tue, 2012-10-09 in: TRT
Amelia Hadfield : EU sends team to combat terrorism in the Sahel region Wed, 2012-08-01 in: Deutsche Welle
Master Programmes A graduate’s perspective on the EuroMaster
lecturers. The idea of combining lectures with first-hand experience of professionals and experts in EU Affairs turned out to be extremely
by Silviu Piros
valuable, and paved my way into choosing an interesting research topic and subsequently writing a good master thesis. The EuroMaster Programme at the IES is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, a great opportunity
There are, of course many more aspects of the programme that could
to rejoice, but also an excellent occasion for
be analysed, but my intention was to briefly describe the international
retrospection. And while preparations for the 28th
ambiance, to emphasise its importance and the ability to create bonds and
September IES Event are now in full swing, as a recent
socialise students from different backgrounds, and bring them under the
IES EuroMaster graduate and current IES EDU Intern,
same umbrella of common interests and concerns.
I will try to give my perspective on this postgraduate programme and the IES, outlining a few general impressions and thoughts.
This success will be once more highlighted at the November EuroMaster Alumni event, where both EPSI and EI graduates are expected to attend and
I must say from the beginning that this MSc was my first experience of
share their personal experiences with the IES and the VUB, and the way in
studying and living abroad. I was looking for a master’s programme that
which this programme influenced their careers.
would combine and balance my studies, and most of all would be EUcentred. I was also expecting it to be very international and bring together students from allover the EU. Here it exceeded my expectations. Besides having people from most of the parts of the EU, I was pleasantly surprised to meet students from Ukraine, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, the U.S., China, and South Korea. The programme had managed to bring to the melting pot this unique mix of cultures and different characters, creating a vibrant environment and adding value to the overall experience. Moreover, it encouraged cultural interaction and sparked curiosity in classes like Peter Schollier’s and Alison Woodward’s, by engaging students in such activities or projects that involved presenting or using the student’s knowledge on his or her national culture. This created an interesting and friendly climate for both on and off-campus activities. On the other hand, I had the chance to attend very challenging classes on EU Law and Foreign Policy taught by exceptional professors, and guest
New faces @ the IES Emmanuel Dalle Mulle is a PhD student from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. He is working on a thesis entitled “The Nationalism of the Rich: Discourses and Strategies of Separatist Parties in Padania, Catalonia, Scotland and Flanders” and he’s in Brussels to do research into the Vlaams Belang and N-VA archives. He studied International Relations at the University of Trieste and International History and Politics at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. Emmanuel is a visiting researcher at the VUB department of Political Sciences but will be based at IES. Daniel Fiott started working at the IES at the beginning of September as a Doctoral Researcher in the EU Foreign and Security Policy cluster. He will be conducting research on the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, and his promoter is Prof. Dr. Eva Gross. Before IES, Daniel worked as a Research Fellow at a Brussels-based think tank and has held research positions with a number of NGOs and international organisations. He holds a BSc (Honours) degree in International Studies from the Open University (UK) and a Master of Philosophy degree in International Relations from the University of Cambridge (UK). In his spare time he likes to jog, cook and paint. Max Salomon Jansson obtained his LL.M. degree from the University of Helsinki in 2009. This year he graduated in Business Administration from Hanken School of Economics with finance as his major. He has previously worked in a law firm, but joins us from his most recent position as a research assistant at the University of Helsinki, where he conducted research on free movement of services, public procurement and insider trading. His PhD concerns value balancing tests in different fields of economic law, using biofuels as a case study.
Ines Kefel graduated in 2009 as a graphic and digital designer. From childhood on she liked to be creative and was always busy designing something. However after graduation, she wanted to know more about marketing and advertisement. After one year of Communication Studies at VUB, she got in touch with more political courses and became interested in Internet freedom and international politics. Ines is currently doing an internship at the IES on the International Telecommunications Union. Esther Marijnen studied Political Science at the University of Amsterdam and obtained a MA in Conflict Studies and Human Rights at University Utrecht (2010-2011). Esther recently joined the IES as a PhD researcher in the European Foreign and Security Policy cluster. In her PhD project she will focus on the impact of EU’s external policies on regional conflict dynamics and transformations in two case studies, Central Africa (Great lakes region) and the Sahel. Before joining the IES, Esther worked in Brussels as a policy officer for the NGO ActionAid and later on as a trainee in the European External Action Service (EEAS) in the Central Africa and Great Lakes unit. During her studies Esther focused her research projects on contemporary Rwanda and the role of the international community in the future political stability of the country. She conducted four months of fieldwork in Rwanda and recently wrote a chapter on the topic, together with a former colleague of Institute Clingendael, which was published in a book on the future of Rwanda. Silviu Piros is a new EDU intern at the IES. He comes from the small medieval town of Sighisoara, in Transylvania, Romania. He graduated from IES’s Euromaster Programme 2011-2012 (EPSI) with a thesis on the Europeanization of Romania’s Foreign Policy. Prior to living and studying in Brussels, he completed two Bachelor Programmes in Law and Philosophy in Bucharest, Romania. Silviu’s
11 interests range from IR and International Law, to Ethics and Political Philosophy. His hobbies include traveling, knowing and understanding the life of other cultures, listening to, and playing music (guitar). Günes Ünüvar recently obtained his LL.M. degree in International and European Law from the PILC programme of the IES. Originally from Turkey, Günes completed his undergraduate studies in Bilkent University, Ankara; and is an admitted attorney-at-law of Ankara Bar Association, Turkey. His academic focus is mostly in corporate and investment law - his master’s thesis concerns dispute settlement mechanisms in future EU bilateral investment treaties. He is doing his one-month internship within the European Economic Governance Cluster and conducting research on value balancing in energy sector investments. After his internship at IES, Günes will go on to serves as a researcher at TÜSIAD (Turkish Association of Business and Industry) EU Representative Office. In addition, Günes will shortly publish an IES Working Paper on ‘Dispute Settlement Alternatives in Future EU BITS: Building the Framework for Investment Protection’. Eléonore Maitre is a visiting researcher from the University of Oslo, Norway. Her PhD dissertation looks at the prevention of environmental effects of products with a focus on extended producer responsibility and the role of information. After graduating in Law from the University of Geneva (2005) and obtaining a Master in European Law from the College of Europe (2007), she completed various work experiences, notably at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and the Secretariat of the European Free Trade Association. In 2010, Eléonore completed a second Master in Energy and Environmental Law at the University of Leuven. Before joining the University of Oslo in February 2012, she worked as a legal advisor at ClientEarth, an environmental lawyers’ organisation based in Brussels.
12
Events Calendar Date Wed 07/11
Event Autumn Lecture Series: Decarbonising transport and industry
18:00 - 20:00 Wed 07/11 12:00 - 13:15 Tues 13/11 12:00 - 14:00 Tues 13/11 18:00 - 20:00 Wed 14/11 18:00 - 20:00 Thu 15/11 18:00 - 20:00 Wed 21/11 18:00 - 20:00
Tue 27/11 12:00 - 14:00
Wed 28/11 18:00 - 20:00 Fri 30/11 18:00 - 20:30 Wed 05/12 12:00 - 13:15 Wed 05/12
Jean Monnet Wednesday Webinar: Setting the Stage: The Building Blocks of Theory Research Colloquium: Dealing with Mixed Migration Flows to the EU: the involvement of IOM and UNHCR Tackling the Challenges of Human Trafficking Autumn Lecture Series: The role of energy efficiency improvements to decarbonisation
Tues 11/12
Wed 12/12 18:00 - 20:00 18/12 12:00 - 14:00
Neepa Acharya - Ilke Adam - Laura Boone - Claire Dupont - Lisanne Groen - Eva Gross Amelia Hadfield - Harri Kalimo - Richard Lewis Esther Marijnen - Alexander Mattelaer - Trisha Meyer Alexandra Mihai - Silviu Piros - Jamal Shahin - Marie Tuley Editing & layout by: Marie Tuley
Being a Humanitarian: Personal, Political and Bureaucratic Reflections Pictures courtesy of IES
Autumn Lecture Series: Evolving external energy interdependencies: past partners Research Colloquium: The EU Vat Provisions on “Electronically Supplied Services, A Critical Analysis of the EU Vat Treatment of Digital Supplies and Proposals for Reform
Autumn Lecture Series: Evolving external energy interdependencies: new and emerging partners EuroMaster Autumn Event: Mixing Wine & Politics: The European Community’s Wine Policy in the 1960s and 1970s Jean Monnet Wednesday Webinar: Actors in Play
Autumn Lecture Series: EU decarbonisation in 2050: views from abroad
18:00 - 20:00
12:00 - 14:00
Contributions to this Newsletter:
Research Colloquium: The Accountability Puzzle of the EU Multi-level System of Policy Coordination EU decarbonisation to 2050: views from the neighbourhood Research Colloquium: Performing under institutional complexity: the EU as an international actor in the governance of genetic resources
Coming up in the next newsletter... Armelle Gouritin successfully defends her PhD: Can International Environmental Law and Human Rights Law Fill the Gaps of EU Environmental Law? The Case of Environmental Responsibility.
Newsletter of the Institute for European Studies Published by
Anthony Antoine Institute for European Studies Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2 (IES) B-1050 Brussels (Belgium) www.ies.be ies@vub.ac.be