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New book release: Ludger Kühnhardt, Region-Building
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Ludger Kühnhardt, Vol. I: The Global Proliferation of Regional Integration, Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books, 2010, 491 pages with bibliography and index, ISBN 978-1-84545-654-2
Ludger Kühnhardt, Vol. II: Regional Integration in the World: Documents, Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books, 2010, 501 pages, ISBN 978-84545-1-655-9
After two centuries of nation-building, the world has entered an era of region-building in search of political stability, cultural cohesion, and socio-economic development. The regional structures and integration schemes emerging in most regions of the world are deepening their ambitions, with Europe’s integration experience often used as an experimental template or theoretical model. These are the main theses of the comprehensive analysis published by ZEI director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt, based on several years of field research and studies.
Volume I provides a political-analytical framework for recognizing the central role of the European Union not only as a conceptual model but also a normative engine in the global proliferation of regional integration. It also gives a comprehensive treatment of the focus, motives, and objectives of non-European integration efforts. Volume II offers a unique collection of documents that gives the best available overview of the legal and political evolution of region-building based on official documents and stated objectives of the relevant regional groupings across all continents since the mid-20th century until today. Together, these volumes are important contributions for understanding the evolution of global affairs in an age when power shifts provide new challenges and opportunities for transatlantic partners and the world community.
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| ZEI Regional Integration Observer |
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The second edition of the ZEI Regional Integration Observer in 2010 deals with the link between regional integration and security. Even today and particularly in times of crisis, peace is always seen as the main positive result of the European unification process after centuries of regular war and mutual destruction. Also in other regions, security problems of all kinds have negative cross border effects, even more in times of a globalized world. The articles of this RIO deal with those regions. Authors analyze the respective constellations of conflict among others in the Caucasus, in Northeast Asia, in the Middle East, in South Asia as well as in Africa. They describe progress, underlying problems and point out possible solutions for security problems in the framework of a closer regional cooperation.
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| Regional integration as a response to globalization |
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ZEI Academy brought together 19 young scholars from all over the world
In July 2010, the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) hosted for the fourth time a „ZEI Academy on Comparative Regional Integration“. 19 post-graduates and young academics from 14 countries analyzed different aspects of regionalism with the help of a renowned group of scholars and experts from the EU. The participants came from different integration systems from outside Europe (MERCOSUR, CAN, ASEAN, SAARC, SADC, ECOWAS, CEMAC, AU and CARICOM). Under the supervision of ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt, this unique academy debated the question if and how the European Union can serve as a role model for other regions in the face of globalization.
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Group picture with all participants and Dr. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (Member of the European Parliament), Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt (ZEI Director), Matthias Vogl and Wiebke Drescher (Program Coordinators)
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Study group with (from the left to the right side): Roshene S. Betton (CARICOM), Atembeshu Miranda Fondem (CEMAC), Martin Aqutime Gnouleleng Edjabou (ECOWAS), Carlos Nahuel Oddone (MERCOSUR), Edgar Juan Saucedo Acosta (Mexico) and Denise Yoshie Takahashi Obara (MERCOSUR) |
| Peace, security and economic prosperity are major achievements of European integration, since the foundation of the European Economic Community 50 years ago. Today this success story serves more and more as a pattern for other parts of the world. In Africa, as well as in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, nations have joined forces in regional groupings und thereby opened markets and borders. However, the conditions for and ways to regional integration are different. Against this background the ZEI Academy helped to strengthen the mutual understanding between the participants and their understanding of the European Union. At the opening function, Dr. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, member of the European Parliament, spoke about the Euro crisis.
The program consisted of a series of lectures – including workshops, group and panel discussions and participant statements – as well as a visit of the European Parliament and Commission in Brussels and diverse cultural activities. Discussing with EU professionals and Members of Parliament, the participants were able to get a profound impression of the structure and procedures of the European Union. In Brussels the group was hosted by the permanent representation of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
For some years now, the Center for European integration Studies at the University of Bonn is specializing in research on questions of comparative regional integration.
The Academy was sponsored by the DAAD with funds of the German Federal Foreign Office and supported by InWEnt.
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| ZEI starts long-term cooperation with the West Africa Institute (WAI) |
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ZEI-WAI Working Group meeting with WAI Board
members
Tolentino, Igue, Lamin,
Mrs. Madders
(German
Ministry for Education and Research, BMBF)
and
ZEI Directors von Hagen and Kühnhardt,
ZEI Administrator Ralf Meyer
A new long-term cooperation of the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) with the West Africa Institute (WAI), based on Praia (Cape Verde) has started under the motto „Sustainable regional integration in West Africa“. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the scope of the strategy of the German federal government to promote the internationalization of science and research. The WAI is the first institute of its kind in the region. Initiated by UNESCO and the West African regional integration community ECOWAS, its tasks are to analyze the regional integration process in West Africa, to concretely consult political decision-makers and to disseminate knowledge
on regional integration in the whole region. While West African regional integration has developed stronger than ever in recent years, the region is still in need of a more solid scientific analysis of obstacles to regional integration.
To make the new effort initiated by the establishment of the West Africa Institute sustainable, ZEI was asked to academically and administratively support the West Africa Institute (WAI) in framing and implementing its first research plan, explained ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt. For this purpose, a joint Working Group of ZEI and WAI was set up, consisting of African and European scholars aimed at defining the most pressing obstacles to sustainable regional integration in West Africa and to develop successful approaches to resolve them. At the initial meeting of the Working Group on June 29, 2010 in Bonn, Dr. Corsino Tolentino, founding Director of the West Africa Institute (WAI) and a former Education Minister of Cape Verde, welcomed the strong commitment of ZEI and the valuable support of the German Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMBF) and its International Bureau. The ZEI-WAI Working Group is coordinated at ZEI by Research Fellow Matthias Vogl.
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| Uwe Leonardy: Is the European Federation a “Mission Impossible”?
ZEI Discussion Paper C 201/2010
In its judgment on the Treaty of Lisbon the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany stated that in establishing a European Federation the European Parliament by reason of its composition would not be a sufficient subject of democratic legitimization, and that, in the event of the foundation of, a European Federation to be founded Germany would have to enact a new constitution by referendum. The article investigates into these statements by analyzing the Court’s understanding of an “association of sovereign national states” (“Staatenverbund”), the EU as a supranational body, the notions of “constitutional identity” and “sovereignty”, the requirements for democratic representation in the EU, the new categorization of EU-competences and the needs for their delimitation. In the final part of the article the judicial prospects for a European Federation are examined and such prospects are found not to be a “mission impossible”.
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| EU Commissioner Oettinger calls for the “Europeanization” of energy policy |
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EU Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger
addresses the Final Ceremony
of the ZEI Class of 2010
Final Ceremony of the “Class of 2010” of the Master of European Studies (MES) and the Master of European Regulation of Network Industries (MERNI)
EU- Commissioner for Energy, Günther H. Oettinger calls for the “Europeanization” of energy policy. In a speech at the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI), the EU Commissioner stressed the importance of stronger cooperation and integration between EU- member states during the current period of global crisis. Oettinger stressed that in his opinion this crisis could only be managed successfully when working together, especially in the field of energy supply. He emphasized that only and a coherent EU-management could secure the European energy supply. The clause of the Lisbon Treaty on energy solidarity should be seen as a great step forward, he said.
ZEI Discussion Paper C 202/2010
Günther Oettinger, member of the European Commission, addressed the “Final Ceremony” of the “Class of 2010” of the Master of European Studies (MES) and the Master of European Regulation of Network Industries (MERNI), taking place at ZEI on June 25, 2010 with more than hundred international guests. 40 graduates from 21 different countries were honored for their successful completion of the very competitive ZEI Master programs. The research institute used the opportunity to celebrate fifteen years of existence. The Chairman of the ZEI Board, Prof. Dr. Günther Schulz, and the Lord Mayor of Bonn, Jürgen Nimptsch, underlined the important contribution of ZEI to the international academic character of Bonn. ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt expressed his gratitude to all supporters and friends of ZEI, especially the Europe-wide faculty. The “best lecturer” award was given by the ZEI “Class of 2010” to Richard Crowe, European Court of Auditors(Luxembourg), Prof. Dr. Ryszard Rapacki, Warsaw School of Economics and Prof. Dr. Peter van Ham, Netherlands Institute of International Relations. In the context of the “Final Ceremony” ZEI Senior Fellow Dr. Andreas Marchetti presented the ZEI research project “Europe 2020: Work- In- Progress”, which is currently undertaken in collaboration with the French Institute for International Affairs (IFRI) in Paris.
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| Report gives overview on 15 years’ research work at ZEI |
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 The Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) was founded 15 years ago. After the Senate of the University of Bonn approved its creation on May 4, 1994, based on the “Berlin-Bonn Treaty” in 1994, ZEI achieved recognition both at home and abroad as a leading research and post-graduate institute on European integration.
ZEI’s researchers have been dealing with current issues of European integration with their different professional backgrounds (Political Science, Law and Economics). Combined with political consultancy and research assignments, ZEI offers graduate education and mid-career training. In addition to several annual summer schools that are offered, ZEI has developed two innovative and successful one year postgraduate programs – the Master of European Studies (MES, founded in 1999) and the Master of Regulation of Network Industries (MERNI, founded in 2008) that attract students from all over the world every year. The programs are designed for students who plan to enter positions in EU institutions, other international organizations, national administration, non-governmental organizations or national/multinational companies.
On the occasion of the 15th anniversary, ZEI publishes a brochure that gives an overview on ZEI’s structure and profile as well as main research topics, including ZEI publications, events and fellows.
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| New book releases: Schriften des Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung |
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Ludger Kühnhardt, Europa: Innere Verfassung und Wende zur Welt. Standortbestimmung der Europäischen Union. Schriften des Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung (ZEI), vol.72, Baden-Baden: Nomos, 359 pages, 2010, ISBN 978-3-8329-5497-0
The European Union has gone through the first decade of the 21st century with a combination of progress and regression, new impulses and frustrating stagnation. All in all, the historic process of European integration has been consolidated. However, European integration is not free of contradiction: The more the EU advances, the more it encounters scepticism and rejection. All in all, the European Union goes through a period equivalent to its second founding. Part of this re-founding of European integration is the re-definition of its purpose. In the 21st century, the European Union needs to relate itself to the age of globality which has become an ever increasing fact of life and a challenge for the global re-positioning of Europe.
The new book in the ZEI series on European Integration includes reflections and analyses of ZEI director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt. They were written between 2005 and 2010 and serve as a mirror for a time of daunting struggle about the European constitution while facing the ever in creasing globalization as challenge and opportunity for Europe and its citizens.
Ludger Kühnhardt, European Union – The Second Founding. The Changing Rationale of European Integration, Schriften des Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung (ZEI), Vol. 67, Baden-Baden: Nomos, 672 pages, 2010 (2nd, revised and updated edition), ISBN 978-3-8329-5505-2
Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt, Director at the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) at the University of Bonn has published the second, revised and updated edition of his comprehensive study about the history of European integration and its current context. His study – which includes chapters on European integration theory and on the global context of integration in Europe - is based on the two-fold thesis that since a few years, the European Union is going through a process of its Second Founding while simultaneously changing its rationale. The original founding of European integration in 1957 was based on the notion of internal reconciliation among European states and societies. Since the 1990’s European integration has become, increasingly, a political project with implications for the internal structure of its member states and their societies. At the same time, with the end of the Cold War, the rational of European integration has begun to change: European integration is about a new global role of Europe, its contribution to the management of global affairs and its ability to cope with the effects of globalization on Europe. Inside the EU, the Second Founding is about a new contract between political elites and the people of Europe in order to solidify legitimacy and effectiveness for this unique experiment in European history. Ludger Kühnhardts study has been updated in light of the Treaty of Lisbon, in effect since December 1, 2009.
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| ZEI EU-Turkey-Monitor presents the “European Capitals of Culture” 2010 |
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For the first time since the launch of the initiative “European Capital of Culture” back in 1985, a Turkish town has been awarded this year’s title. Istanbul, at the meeting point of continents and cultures, shares this honour with the towns of Pécs in Hungary and Essen - for the entire Ruhr region - in Germany. Authors from the three towns highlight the specific nature of the respective capitals, share the main features of the specific “European Capital of Culture” programmes and comment on the particular contribution of “their” capitals to intercultural dialogue and increased mutual understanding. An interview with the first Turkish President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, concludes this issue of the ZEI EU-Turkey-Monitor.
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New book release:
Georg Kristian Kampfer, Die Europäische Union auf dem Weg zu einem Bundesstaat? |
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 Georg Kristian Kampfer: Die Europäische Union auf dem Weg zu einem Bundesstaat? Von der föderalen Struktur der Europäischen Union und der Europäisierung der Außenpolitik, Schriften des Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung (ZEI), Vol. 73, Baden-Baden: Nomos, 353 pages, 2010, ISBN 978-3-8329-5694-3.
The study of ZEI Senior Fellow Georg Kristian Kampfer shows the current level and existing dynamics of European integration, illustrates the improvements achieved by the Lisbon Treaty and focuses on the key-area for the integration towards a Federal State on the European level – the Common Foreign Policy. The work draws conclusions from the history of German federalism for the future of the European Union. The author recommends the application of standards of national constitutional law on the European level.
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| Klaus W. Grewlich: Pipelines, Drogen, Kampf ums Wasser - greift die EU-Zentralasien-Strategie? Neues „Great Game“ von Afghanistan bis zum Kaspischen Meer?
ZEI Discussion Paper C 200/2010
The European Union has a strong interest in a peaceful, democratic and economically prosperous Central Asia. Significant raw material and energy resources in Central Asia can help meet EU energy security and supply needs. The objective of the “EU – CA Strategy for a New Partnership” is to contribute to the stability and prosperity in the crisis ridden Central Asian region. Apparently, the effectiveness of the “EU – CA Strategy” seems, however, somewhat diminished by unclear priorities in practice, lack of coherent policies of member states and rent seeking power politics of local elites. With the help of the EU, could a regionally agreed and optimized scheme of sound water management (“Water governance”) work against the negative effects of drug trafficking, organized crime and poverty on the region? ZEI Senior Fellow Professor Dr. Klaus W. Grewlich finds answers to these questions in the Discussion Paper “Pipelines, Drogen, Kampf ums Wasser - greift die EU-Zentralasien-Strategie? Neues Great Game von Afghanistan bis zum Kaspischen Meer?“.
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| Field trip to Berlin with Fellows of the ZEI Master of European Studies |
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Fellows of the four European Studies programs in
Bonn, Berlin, Hamburg and Saarbrücken at the
Federal Foreign Ministry in Berlin
On May 7, 2010 the fellows of the ZEI Master of European Studies together with the three other graduate programs in European Studies in Berlin, Hamburg and Saarbrücken were invited by the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin to catch up on the development of the European External Action Service and current challenges of European Integration.
The participants of the Master of European Studies at ZEI spent four days in Berlin and visited besides the Foreign Office the Federal Ministry of Finance, the political representation of EADS in Berlin and the German Reichstag. During the field trip the participants also attended the WDR Europe-Forum with high ranking politicians as Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal Ministers.
The ZEI Master of European Studies is supported by the Federal Foreign Office since 1998 and is recommended by the Foreign Office to candidates who intend to start a European career.
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| The European Union 2020: Perspectives of European integration |
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| German-French research project, funded by DFG
After having concluded the internal reform of the EU, it is now up to European politics to formulate new and future oriented policies within the framework of the Lisbon Treaty, agreed the participants in a joint ZEI-Ifri workshop, in collaboration with the Arbeitskreis Europäische Integration, held in Bonn on 5 October 2009. The workshop took place within the research project “France, Germany and European crises”. Dr. Claire Demesmay, DGAP, underlined that political actors were totally aware of the need for more pragmatism within European politics, however, concrete ideas were still rare. Already on the eve of the conference, participants had the opportunity to discuss this perception with Dr. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, MEP. In addition, the discussion during the workshop clearly highlighted that concrete action is rather envisaged in foreign policy than internal policy. One explanation could be that the EU is still lacking a common European identity and that national discourses still dominate European processes. EU policy would therefore have to address its evident communication deficit in order to ensure a better and clearer impact of its policies. Dr. Louis-Marie Clouet, Ifri, and Dr. Andreas Marchetti, ZEI, underlined that only a Europe with a clear presence in the lives of European citizens will be able to attain more public acceptance, necessary prerequisite for the sought-after “Europe of projects”. To formulate such projects, possibly promoting the re-naissance of a new idée formatrice for Europe, will be one of the main objectives in the future course of the research project.
Researchers participating in the project exchanged their visions on European and international development trends during a working meeting at Ifri on 12 March 2010. There was general agreement that the Union and its member states need to actively and courageously confront current challenges in order to be prepared for the next decades. The contributions of the workshop will be published together with a comprehensive study on general development trends at the end of 2010.
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| Workshop „Local budget institutions and fiscal rules effectiveness” |
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On the 10th of May 2010 a further workshop of the project took place at the Center for European Integration Studies. Recent research findings of the project members were discussed by participants of the German-French project cooperation. Both, participants from the ZEI, University of Bonn and EQUIPPE, University of Lille, gave talks during the workshop.
Workshop „Local budget institutions and fiscal rules effectiveness”, German and French economists discuss, on the left ZEI Director Prof.Dr.Jürgen von Hagen |
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| Wolfram Hilz / Catherine Robert: Frankreich - Deutschland - Polen: Partnerschaft im Herzen Europas
ZEI Discussion Paper C 199/2010
The ZEI Discussion Paper presents articles of the trilateral symposium of the French bureau for University cooperation for North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse and the Institute for Political Science and Sociology (University of Bonn) at ZEI organized in the light of the German-French-Polish days 2009. In their contributions scholars from France, Poland and Germany deal with the future role of France, Poland and Germany in a 21st century Europe. Structural as well as social obstacles for a deeper cooperation are been addressed. Moreover, the contributions respond on current approaches for an active common shaping role of the European Union.
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Ludger Kühnhardt / Tilman Mayer: Die Gestaltung der Globalität.
Annäherungen an Begriff, Deutung und Methodik
Working Colloquy "Shaping Globality"
with ZEI Fellow
Prof.
Dr. Tilman Mayer,
Chairman ZEI Board
Prof. Dr. Günther Schulz,
ZEI Director
Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt and colleagues.
ZEI Discussion Paper C 198/2010
Only when the phenomena of globalisation are interpreted with more than a mere economic standpoint can new horizons for Europe be reached. Establishing such an interpretation has been the goal of ten professors from the University of Bonn’s Faculty of Arts. Based on conclusions reached during a joint colloquy in the winter 2009/2010, the initial ideas outlining their methodological approaches have been turned into a ZEI Discussion Paper, edited by ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt and ZEI Fellow Prof. Dr. Tilman Mayer. This current ZEI Discussion Paper presents a second exploratory look into the work of these Bonn scholars.
The March 2010 ZEI Discussion Paper C 198 "Die Gestaltung der Globalität. Annäherungen an Begriff, Deutung und Methodik" provides a reflexive and fresh interdisciplinary interpretation of globalisation as "globality". Written by scholars of the cultural sciences and humanities, the inner plurality of the European cultural sciences and humanities is set in relation to the plurality of ways in which "globality" appears. With this approach, further innovative research on globalisation in relation to the plurality of ways in which "globality" appears and can be interpreted is made possible by the Bonn scholars. A new way of dealing with the unity of the world is presented. Supposed oppositional ideas are been placed in relation to one another without losing the humanities' claim to universality.
The discussion paper assembles articles from Markus Gabriel (Philosophy), Volker Ladenthin (Educational Science), Stephan Conermann (Islamic Studies), Günther Schulz (History of Economics), Wolfram Kinzig (Church History), Xuewu Gu (International Relations), Ursula von Keitz (Media Sciences) as well as Ludger Kühnhardt and Tilman Mayer (both Political Science).
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| Career tracks of alumni of the Master of European Studies |
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Vladimir Pavicevic, MES Class of 2003 and currently
European affairs spokesman of Serbia's Liberal-
Democratic Party, is addressing the MES Class of
2010 on the development in his home country Serbia.
On Friday March 19, 2010 the Chairman of the European Affairs Council of the Serbian Liberal Democratic Party in Serbia, Vladimir Pavicevic, ZEI Class of 2003, held a Europe Dialogue at the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI). After showing an impressive documentary film about the change to democracy in Serbia ten years ago he enthusiastically spoke about the current situation in the country. Vladimir Pavicevic is one of many alumni from Serbia with a remarkable career track after graduating from the Master of European Studies (MES) at ZEI.
Graduates from the Master of European Studies face excellent job opportunities in different career sectors. 13% of the Alumni work for EU Institutions, where fellows like Inga Buchkremer or Johannes Noack started their careers as EU officials at the European Commission. ZEI alumni have worked also in cabinets of Commissioners. A large number of former students (14%) started to work for ministries, embassies or parliaments in their home countries. For instance, four Turkish MES Alumni, Ipek Aynuska, Seyda Hanbay, Onur Saylan and Erman Topcu, work for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thus shaping international policies of the EU candidate country. One of four North Korean Alumni, Ung Chol Ri, is deputy Ambassador of North Korea in London.
Several MES graduates successfully started a political career: Vasko Naumovski has become deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia in 2009. He joined Antonio Milososki, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, in the Macedonian cabinet, who also is ZEI Alumnus.
MES Alumni not only succeed in national and international organizations and administration but also in many different international companies and consultancies. Former fellow Lars Kindervater now works for Deutsche Telekom AG and Martin Zimmek has become analyst for Bombardier Transportation. They are among 16% of alumni who work for internationally operating companies. 18% of former MES fellows work for consultancies often directly related to European Union affairs. Matthieu Bertrand, Elisabeth Cousin and Anke Müller work in consultancies in Brussels focusing on European affairs where they apply their knowledge gained at ZEI every day.
MES provides a solid theoretical background enabling fellows to deepen their knowledge in many topics related to European integration: Accordingly, 11% of ZEI alumni have continued their research at different universities such as Ayþe Aslýhan Çelenk who became Assistant Professor at Erciyes University in Turkey. Among others Tobias Buchmann and Nickolaos Chasiotis decided to start PhD studies at different universities in Europe. ZEI alumnus Karlis Svikis stayed with ZEI where he has been coordinating ZEI’s Master of European Regulation of Network Industries (MERNI) since its beginning.
These success stories underscore the high quality education provided at ZEI. ZEI is proud to be part of the career paths of excellent young professionals from all over the world. ZEI keeps in contact with its alumni in order to strengthen the network between alumni and current students. Students have the chance to meet alumni during field trips and events held in Bonn.
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| EU scholars from Asia look for contacts with ZEI |
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The European expertise at ZEI finds continuously interest among Asian scholars and post-graduate researchers.
In February 2010, Shakti Prasad Srichandan of the European Studies Centre at Jawarhalal University New Delhi conducted studies on the migration problem in Europe at ZEI. The Indian scholar who is preparing a dissertation for the most prestigious European Studies Centre on the subcontinent also looks at migration issues in a cross-regional comparative way. Under the leadership of Prof. Chi-Ming Chung a group of post-graduate students of the Institute of European Studies at Nanhua University in Taiwan visited ZEI to discuss matters concerning the global role of the EU. Their main interest concerned the role of the EU as an emerging world power and its relationship to the US and to China.
In March 2010, a delegation of the Japan Institute of Developing Economies under its director general, Prof. Ikuo Kuroiwa, paid a visit to ZEI to learn more about ZEI’s work on comparative regional integration worldwide. Parallel to the delegation’s visit, ZEI hosted Tokio University Professor of Philosophy, Mamoru Takayama, as a research scholar. In the context of intercultural dialogue, Prof. Takayama is studying the impact of globalization on the notion and structure of family life.
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Prof. Chi-Ming Chung and students from Taiwan for talks at ZEI
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Director General Kuirowa and Prof. Yamagata (Institute for Development Studies - JETRO) together with Prof. Takayama (Tokio University) in discussion with ZEI scholars |
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| ZEI Regional Integration Observer |
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The first edition of the “Regional Integration Observer” (RIO) in 2010 is focusing on the Central American region. Articles analyze the most important advances but also the difficulties of the integration process there. In this context, the concept of “democratic security”, which is very similar to the principle of “human security” but was developed even earlier, is examined in detail. Further central topics are the negotiations on an Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union as well as the role of the educational sector in the integration process. In the RIO interview, the Secretary-General of the Central American Integration System (SICA) comments on current developments. The RIO was prepared in cooperation with the State Distance University (UNED) in San José, Costa Rica.
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| Lecture by ZEI Director Prof. Koenig on Recent Developments on the State Aid Concept |
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ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Christian Koenig will be chairing the second day of the 8th EUROFORUM Annual Conference on State Aid in Berlin on June 24th, 2010. In addition he will give a lecture on "Recent Developments of the State aid concept". For further information please click here:
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| Graduate Student Conference with ZEI Alumna Daniela Stoycheva |
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Graduate Student Conference on “European Dynamics in the Age of Globalization” at Georgetown University, Washington, with ZEI Alumna Daniela Stoycheva
Daniela Stoycheva, ZEI Master Class of 2009, was invited to participate in the 14th Annual Graduate Student Conference organized by the BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES) at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. The conference took place on February 5 – 6, 2010 under the general theme of “European Dynamics in the Age of Globalization”. The conference has the purpose to engage young scholars from around the world and across academic disciplines in a dialogue. This year’s topic aimed at looking at how Master’s and Doctoral students characterize Europe in the 21st century and how they complement the European debate about the future of a globalized Europe. Daniela Stoycheva was invited to present her Master Thesis for the Master of European Studies at ZEI on the topic of “Regional Integration and Social Cohesion: Evaluating EU Development Policy toward Latin America”. The paper examines the development policies of the European Community (EC) and analyzes more closely how they are applied in Latin America.
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| The Euro – protective shield or trap? |
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| Martin Seidel: Der Euro – Schutzschild oder Falle?
ZEI Working Paper B01-2010
In light of higher than average inflation rates observed among some EU member states, ZEI-Senior Fellow Professor Martin Seidel deals in the current ZEI working paper with the question: "Can the EMU membership of a country be lifted due to indebtedness and permanent account deficits?” In the paper, Seidel warns against destabilization of the Euro. In this context, he comes to the conclusion that termination of EU membership is legally permitted, if it has been agreed upon in a consensual way. According to Seidel, such a measure would not weaken the European integration process, but rather, consolidate it by acting as a selective correction.
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| Scholar of ZEI supports economic competition in Morocco |
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| "First of all I am glad to see that we Europeans can open up new perspectives for people outside Europe." mentioned ZEI Research Fellow Dr. Kristian Kampfer after numerous missions for ZEI / GTZ to Rabat (Morocco).
In an interview for the newspaper "Bonner Generalanzeiger" Kampfer pointed out the benefits of technical development cooperation for European countries, which include an increase in overall safety and economic prosperity. Both Europe and Africa would benefit from economic convergence in manifold ways (read more in German).
Since his return to ZEI in January 2010, Dr. Kampfer has concentrated the context of his postdoctoral research on the political, economic and legal factors that facilitate integration in the European Union. Furthermore his scientific research project focuses on the transferability of these supranational federal governmental structures to other state communities in Africa. His research topic is part of the ZEI-Research-Project "Comparative Regional Integration ".
Concerning "global challenges, like the fight against international crime and the consequences of climate change" Kampfer nevertheless pointed out, that it is "crucial for the world community at large to build up stronger institutional ties, as it was the case on the European continent during the laying of the founding stone in 1957." In the long run, regional integration systems could solve "numerous", but "not all problems society has to face".
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| Klaus Hänsch: Europäische Integration aus historischer Erfahrung. Ein Zeitzeugengespräch mit Michael Gehler
ZEI Discussion Paper C 197/2010
Klaus Hänsch, former president of the European Parliament (1994 till 1997), has witnessed during his long career as Member of the European Parliament from 1979 till 2009, in an exceptional way, the history of European integration until the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty. Professor of history from Hildesheim and ZEI-Senior Fellow, Michael Gehler, conducted a time witness dialogue with the social democrat Klaus Hänsch.
The European unification movement under Altiero Spinelli, Gerhard Schröder's point of view of the European unification process, Helmut Kohl's opinions about the European Parliament and Giscard d’Estaing's appearance in the Convention on the Future of Europe are being covered from this first ZEI discussion paper in 2010. The dialogue highlights European policy on various levels, with numerous interesting details and statements of Klaus Hänsch, as it also includes the discussion of EU-accession of Turkey.
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| Workshop: The European Union in the Mediterranean |
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ZEI Cooperation with the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies Malta (MEDAC)
ZEI Director Prof. Ludger Kühnhardt welcomes the
Minister of State
in the German Foreign Office,
Dr. Werner Hoyer
Jointly with the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) at the University of Malta, the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) organized a workshop on February 2-3, 2010 on the role of the European Union in the Mediterranean. At the beginning of the workshop, the Minister of State in the German Foreign Office, Dr. Werner Hoyer, addressed the participants. Minister of State Hoyer made it clear that the institutional debate in the EU has come to an end and needs to be replaced b y strong strategic thinking and concrete actions. In essence, the EU needs to strengthen its position in the age of globalization. As far as the Middle East conflict is concerned, Hoyer called upon all parties involved to move from procedural efforts to reactivate the peace process to a comprehensive approach that tackles the central status matters related to a two-state solution. MEDAC-Director Prof. Dr.Stephen Calleya appealed to the European Union – and especially to Germany – to actively take up a lead role in reactivating the Middle East peace process. ZEI Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt underlined the long-standing commitment of ZEI to deal with the Mediterranean dimension in EU integration. ZEI will continue with this focus of its work that has accompanied the agenda of ZEI since its beginning in 1995.
The workshop was attended by more than a dozen students of MEDAC, mostly young diplomats from Arab countries. Jointly with ZEI Fellows of the Master of European Studies Program and ZEI scholars they discussed the breadth and depth of the Mediterranean agenda. A simulation was aimed at finding an early solution to the Middle East conflict. In cooperation with Deutsche Welle, the participants looked into the future of the Euro-Arab dialogue. A discussion group to this effect was attended by Maltas Ambassador to Germany, John Paul Grech, Ibrahim Hussein of the United Nations Volunteer Program and ZEI scholar Dr. Andreas Marchetti. Ambassador Grech warned of a “clash of ignorance” between Europeans and their Arab neighbors.
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ZEI and MEDAC participants at the workshop "The European Union in the Mediterranean"
with Malta’s Ambassador to Germany,
Dr. John Paul Grech (center left).
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| ZEI EU-Turkey-Monitor: EU-Turkey relations and the Lisbon Treaty |
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The Lisbon Treaty has entered into force on 1 December 2009. The authors of the ZEI EU-Turkey-Monitor look into the new treaty, reflecting particularly on the treaty’s implications for the future of enlargement and of EU-Turkey relations. In the interview, Egemen Bağış, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, reflects on the treaty’s implications for Turkey, the newly created posts at the helm of the Union and Turkey’s foreign policy approaches in its neighbourhood.
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| ZEI Regional Integration Observer |
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The seventh edition of the “ZEI Regional Integration Observer” is dedicated to the role of law in regional integration processes. Articles deal with the ruling of the German Federal Constitutional Court on the compatibility of the Treaty of Lisbon with the German Basic Law. Other contributions cover the growing significance of regional courts in other regional integration systems like ECOWAS, CARICOM, SICA or MERCOSUR.
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| ZEI Academy in Comparative Regional Integration 2010 |
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ZEI is pleased to announce that in 2010 the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will again support the ZEI Academy in Comparative Regional Integration with funds of the German Federal Foreign Office. The “ZEI Academy in Comparative Regional Integration” will take place from 5 to 16 July 2010 at ZEI. The unique program, under the supervision of ZEI-Director Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt, will gather highly qualified graduate and postgraduate students from regional groupings in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. For further information on the program structure please click here.
Information on the” ZEI Academies in Comparative Regional Integration.
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| Treaty of Lisbon enters into force: Analysis of ZEI in cooperation with Ifri |
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Andreas Marchetti / Claire Demesmay (eds.): Der Vertrag von Lissabon: Analyse und Bewertung, Schriften des Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung (ZEI), Vol. 71, Baden-Baden: Nomos, 289 pages, 2010, ISBN 978-3-8329-3676-1.
Claire Demesmay / Andreas Marchetti (eds.): Le Traité de Lisbonne en discussion: quels fondements pour l’Europe?, Note de l’Ifri 60, Paris: Ifri, 141 pages, 2009, ISBN 978-86592-374-8.
The Treaty of Lisbon concludes the European Union’s long process of internal reforms. Coordinated by ZEI Fellow Dr. Andreas Marchetti, an interdisciplinary ZEI group of authors analyzes the Treaty along the structure of the new EU-Treaty. The publications, edited in cooperation with the Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri) in Paris, combine views from political science, law and economics. In addition to the interpretation of the Treaty provisions with regard to the evolution of the European Union and its policies, the authors evaluate the Treaty in comparison to the Treaty of Nice as legal reference point and the failed European Constitution as political orientation. From an integrationist perspective it can be concluded in many cases that the Treaty of Lisbon offers more than the Treaty of Nice but less than the constitutional Treaty. However, in a considerable number of cases, the situation is quite different. All in all, the authors design a differentiated picture of the new Treaty, albeit ambivalent at times.
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