On October 12th and 13th, 2018, United Europe’s next Young Professionals Seminar will take place, this time at Andrássy University in beautiful Budapest. In cooperation with Innogy, we are inviting young talents between 18 and 35 years from all over Europe and from all professions to join our seminar on:
„EUROPE OF THE REGIONS“
Date: 12th and 13th October, 2018 (arrival 11th October, departure 14th October)
Venue: Andrássy University, Pollack Mihály tér 3., H-1088 Budapest
Torn by migration and boarder issues, debates about further integration and European sovereignty, the European Union is facing multiple challenges these days. Those challenges are also driven by the question of identity. Separatist movements in Catalonia and Scotland underpin the political dimension of identity. A con-federal system giving regions broader competences looks appealing and seems to be a promising model. Figures show that regional engagement in Europe continues to grow at an exponential rate. Regions themselves continue to operate actively in Europe and occupy a central position in debates about past trends and possible futures of the EU. And the EU, for its part, is enhancing multilevel governance by working with the European Committee of the Regions.
Europe of the Regions is the name of a political concept designed to promote the regions in the EU member states and support their regional autonomy. This federalist approach is expected to lead to a more efficient regional administration with greater expertise and proximity to the citizens, a strengthening of the competitiveness and infrastructures of the regions and the implementation of the principles of subsidiarity.
According to the constitutional lawyer Josef Isensee, the European regions are “vital elements of European identity”. Here he rooted his variety, that “inexhaustible wealth” that constitutes his essence.
In our Young Professionals Seminar we want to discuss the history, impact, function and future of European regions:
– What role are they playing and likely to play in the emerging governance structures of the EU?
– What impact do they have on the institutional future of Europe?
– What is the European Committee of the Regions doing, what impact does it have?
– What is the role of economic clusters in the network of European regions?
– What are the growth possibilities of European regions and their preconditions?
– What is fascinating for you about the work of European institutions – what do you think about the regional presence?
– How would you tell your/a region’s historic background as an example of successful or unsuccessful regional politics in Europe? What are the chances of history repeating itself?
As a prework, applicants are required to write and submit a short text (1 – 2 DIN A4 pages/1.500 – 3.000 characters max) about one aspect of this topic: The history of the developing of the regions, the work and impact of institutions like European Committee of the Regions, the impact of regions on the EU legislation (and the consequences), successful or not successful examples of EU regions, and so on.
Applications must include this very text, a brief cover letter indicating interest and motivation (1 page, including the question, what you expect from this Seminar – and following the seminar, what could be an inspiration you share afterwards in a meeting with your regional economic and political leaders), together with a CV (incl. a photo and the date of birth, max. 2 pages, PDF-Format).
Please send your application until 6th September, 2018 (12:00 pm) to events@united-europe.eu.
All documents must be submitted electronically in pdf format and should not exceed 2 GB.
We can only consider complete applications.
Travel and accommodation is covered by United Europe.
