Center News

Rozalia Peterfi
4-9 November 2008

The Model European Union (MEU) is a simulation exercise on the decision-making process of the European Union. Participants play the roles of EU ministers for various member states, as well as members of the European Parliament, to earn a comprehensive understanding of the legislative process of the European Union.

With the support of an EUCE graduate research grant, Rozalia Peterfi participated in Jagiellonian University’s MEU Conference in Krakow, Poland from November 4-9, 2008. More than 70 European students and young professionals gathered in Krakow to expand and deepen their understanding of the European Union’s decision and policy making process. Students came from more than 15 countries (including aspiring EU countries, like Croatia, Albania, Ukraine, Georgia etc.) to test their understanding current EU events such as 'The acceleration of pre-accession negotiations with Turkey; opening new negotiation chapters' and 'The acknowledgment of informal education and life – long learning within the confines of the European Union".

Ms. Peterfi’s assigned role for the simulation was to represent Austria as a member of the European Parliament's Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE group). In preparation for the conference, Ms Peterfi worked with my team and contributed to ALDE's position paper. During the conference, they learned about EU procedures, prepared amendments, participated in debates, conducted inter-country negotiations, delivered speeches, and attended self-improvement workshops and panel discussions. On the last day of the conference the co-decision process entered its final phase and after the Council and the Parliament agreed on amendments, the proposal our group presented and negotiated for became a law.

Ms. Peterfi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the MEU conference in Poland, stating: “Participation in MEU was not only a very effective learning experience, but allowed me to witness up close and personal the similarities and differences between the thinking process and decision making culture of young leaders from various European countries and the US and it inspired me to transcend my barriers and stereotypes. I truly believe that through exercises like the Model EU, the European youth has the opportunity to develop their own unique ideas towards a successful United States of Europe. Thank you EUCE for this amazing experience!”

Dr. Jacques Andréani, Former French Ambassador to the United States
Co-Sponsored by Alliance Francaise d’Atlanta and Goethe Zentrum

On 25 October 2008, the EUCE at Georgia Tech, along with the Alliance Française and the Goethe Zentrum, hosted former French Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency, Jacques Andréani for a public talk on “The Unification of Europe.” Approximately 75 people were in attendance for Mr. Andréani’s lecture on the history, functioning, key achievements, and present challenges facing the newly enlarged European Union. Ambassador Andréani’s overarching message was clear and poignant: war on the European continent, once prevalent, is now unimaginable thanks to European integration. A pivotal point emphasized by the former diplomat was that the EU, despite its economic strength and increasing role in global affairs, would never be a traditional superpower; rather, the EU’s power is more ideational in character. Interestingly, such insights echoed the conclusion drawn by the EUCE’s first scholarly symposium held a month earlier. This event emphasized that the EU’s power lies in its ability to spread norms and encourage peace and international cooperation. An engaging Q & A followed the Ambassador’s presentation with questions ranging from the EU’s response to the global financial crisis to immigration and environmental policies and the tensions caused by the Russo-Georgian conflict.

On September 19, 2008, the EUCE at Georgia Tech held its first academic symposium titled, “The EU as a Global Actor: Perspectives on Power.” Two leading EU scholars from Europe, Dr. Ian Manners, of the Danish Institute for International Studies, and Dr. Richard Whitman, of the University of Bath, served as chairs and discussants for the two panels, which were comprised of nine faculty and graduate students from Emory University, Georgia State University, North Georgia College and State University, and Georgia Tech. In addition to our EU scholars and faculty from the universities listed above, the concluding panel was comprised of additional faculty members from The University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University. Dr. Manners and Dr. Whitman engaged the panelists in stimulating discussions on the nature and character of power in the EU, its growing role as a global actor, and the implications for both scholarship and policy challenges facing the global community.

The kick-off events for the new European Union Center of Excellence at Georgia Tech took place on September 18-19, 2008 with over 150 people attending the inaugural reception on Thursday evening and 25 scholars from 7 different universities taking part in the first annual scholarly symposium held on Friday.

A great cross-section of the Atlanta community turned out in force to celebrate the re-launch of the EUCE with wide representation from the Consular Corps, the international business community, local media and academics from Georgia Tech and throughout the University System of Georgia. The keynote address was given by Mr. Anthony Smallwood, Head of Press and Public Diplomacy for the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States. Additional comments were given by Dr. Vicki Birchfield, EUCE Director, Dr. Bill Long, Nunn School Chair, and Mr. Chris Young, Director of International Affairs for the State of Georgia. Senator Nunn could not be in attendance, but Dr. Long read a letter he had composed for the event congratulating the Nunn School and acknowledging the asset the Center will be in helping “…our students, as well as our citizens in the city, state and region gain additional knowledge and a deeper understanding of the European Union and the importance of the transatlantic relationship.” Champagne, ale, and red wine were donated by the French Consulate General, the British Consulate General, and the Italian Trade Commission, respectively.

September 22, 2008 · The Delegation of the European Commission in Washington, DC, announced 11 European Union Center of Excellence awards to universities throughout the United States. These grant recipients were selected from a strong field of 23 candidates.

Ambassador John Bruton, Head of the EU Commission Delegation to the United States, welcomed the announcement with the following statement: "I wish to offer congratulations to the successful applicants to the most recent cycle of the EU Centers of Excellence, selected from a very strong group of competitors. This underlines the continuing tremendous interest in the EU and EU-US relations within American universities. The EU Centers of Excellence have the crucial task of preparing the students who will take a leading role in the future of the transatlantic relationship, and play a vital role in educating their local communities regarding those developments. These Centers will also continue to produce high quality scholarly research that informs the policy community. As in the past, I aim to visit as many of the Centers as possible during my tenure in Washington."

Grants totaling 3.42 million euros will fund activities for a three year period at the following universities:

• University of California (Berkeley)
• University of Colorado
• Florida International University and the University of Miami
• Georgia Tech
• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Texas
• University of Washington (Seattle)
• University of Wisconsin
• Washington, DC, Consortium (American University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, The Johns Hopkins University)

The University of North Carolina will serve as Network and Outreach Coordinator, with the goal of promoting cooperation and sharing best practices within the network. North Carolina will also maintain the network website (www.euce.org) providing easy access to research and teaching materials produced by the Centers.

Read more about the new EUCEs at the European Union website.

September 2008 · The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech was one of eleven universities in the country selected to host a European Union Center of Excellence (EUCE) for the 2008-2011 period. The Center’s core mission is to promote knowledge and understanding of the European Union and the significance of the transatlantic relationship, including the strong economic and cultural ties between Europe, the state of Georgia, and the southeast. The Center will build on these ties and foster new relationships through a range of activities including interdisciplinary research and curricular developments; high profile speaker series; conferences; the creation of research and learning networks; and numerous public forums bridging the diverse communities of academia, business, government, media, and other civic and professional organizations. According to Dr. Vicki Birchfield, Associate Professor of International Affairs and Principal Investigator for the grant, "The Center will facilitate dialogue and collaboration among academics, policymakers, and citizens and serve as a catalyst for generating interest in European affairs and promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Europe and the United States." Birchfield will serve as Director of the newly established EUCE beginning September 1.

Building on the natural strengths of Georgia Tech and its commitment to interdisciplinary programs, the Center’s educational, outreach, and research activities will revolve around the theme of “Technological Transformations and Global Challenges in the 21st Century: EU and Transatlantic Strategies for Innovation and Sustainability." Dean Sue Rosser from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts expressed that “The award of this grant is a real coup for Georgia Tech! It spotlights the role that the School and College play at the Institute particularly as the activities of the Center will promote greater exchange between the sciences and the liberal arts both at Georgia Tech and across the Atlantic." Nunn School Chair, Professor William Long, added “The prestige associated with operating an EUCE significantly enhances the Institute’s effort to define its international agenda."

The award and the re-established EUCE allows The Nunn School, Georgia Tech, and the wider community to deepen and expand existing European partnerships as well as forge new connections within the twelve newest member states of the EU. Three years of funding will provide for academic conferences and research workshops; visiting dignitaries and EU practitioners; faculty and student grants to promote EU scholarship; and a host of outreach activities between Georgia Tech, the business community, local government, and civic leaders. The Center will also coordinate teacher workshops and programs at area public schools, promote interaction throughout the University System of Georgia among faculty and students interested in EU and transatlantic studies, and continue The Nunn School’s flagship summer abroad program in Brussels.

This award is a prestigious honor for the School and the Institute and underscores the vital role of higher education in enhancing EU-US relations.