About the European Union Study Tour

Information on the European Union Study Tour & Internship Program

7^th Annual Study Tour – 16th May to 4th June, 2010

European Union Study Tour and Internship Program 2010

The planning for the academic seminars and events which make up our unique immersion in the life of the European Union is under way. That's also true for the Internship Program which follows completion of the Tour--opportunities to work from two to six months in the institutions of the EU and in other European organizations. Our 7th Study Tour will commence in Brussels on May 16th and conclude after three exciting and stimulating weeks, June 4th. Participants experience meetings and events with public servants and politicians of the European Union. Included are valuable opportunities to meet with representatives of the EU's neighbours--the Russian Federation, Turkey--as well as NGO's representing European civil society. The program includes meeting with other European institutions, notably the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, at their locations and headquarters. Additionally, with some of our European partners we will present special progams on youth, human trafficking, and the environment.

The European Union: Important to the World, Important to Canada

The European Union (EU) , home to a population of more than 500 million living in 27 member states, is an area where goods, services, and people can circulate freely and where common social and human values are shared. Already the world’s largest trading bloc, the EU may further enlarge in the future. The EU’s long-term agenda for enlargement, however, is currently fraught with controversy over the future admission of Turkey. Further, there are considerable foreign policy challenges in relations between the EU and the Russian Federation. A large number of citizens in the member states are raising issues of more democracy in the European institutions as the sheer size and speed of the EU fact makes itself known to every citizen. The future of social programmes in a volatile global economy causes anxiety and concern for many. EU has siezed the issue of climate change with great urgency. With the successful referendum in Ireland, the EU will be closer to ratifying the Lisbon Treaty and implementing its consequential changes to the way the EU operates.

Tour themes reflect EU realities

The European Union Study Tour academic program is always a well-balanced mix of foundation topics and themes which are current on the agenda of the EU and its member states. Each year, the Academic Coordinating Committee ( see below ), in consultation with the members of the Network for European Studies, sets out themes which are urgent and significant on the EU agenda. These themes form the subject of many of our seminars and events. Now in the planning stage, the "thematic statement" we issue prior to the Tour and part of the preparation for it will be made available soon. However some themes endure: enlargement, the role of the EU as a foreign policy actor, the future of the "constitutional" process (particularly the Lisbon Treaty), energy, the euro zone, relations with its neighbours, and the future of the EU-Transatlantic relationship.

A unique approach to the study of the European Union

The 2010 European Study Tour addresses the institutions, evolution, and current issues of the EU through visits to the major institutions of the European Union, located in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg and Frankfurt. Building on six years of successful tours, the Network is preparing a lively immersion in the life of the European Union. The Study Tour substantially benefits from the continuing support of the European Commission and the Canadian Mission to the EU.

Participants experience a unique approach to the study of the European Union--its history, institutions, politics, and future. The Study Tour combines preparation Canada with three weeks of seminars and presentations within the institutions of the European Union, as well as other significant European organizations. The Study Tour is not just about the EU, it takes place inside the EU, involving representatives of its administrative and political leadership. Additionally, participants have the exceptional opportunity to receive briefings from and exchange views with representatives of some sister European organizations such as the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Free Trade Association and the South East Europe Stability Pact. As well, participants will meet with representatives of European offices of significant international organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration. For students the Tour is an excellent study opportunity: it is less a "course" than an immersion in European institutions, a programme for self-directed and independent study.

Exploring the Transatlantic relationship

As a close EU partner, Canada has a substantial political and economic relationship with the European Union, a relationship built over many years. Accordingly the 2010 Study Tour will continue to provide an opportunity to meet and engage with Canada’s representatives to the EU and with EU officials responsible for the EU’s relationship with Canada. We will also review the October EU-Canada Summit and the prospects of an EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

An expanded Network reaches out across Canada

The EU Study Tour is an inter-institutional activity of the Network for European Studies, an ad hoc consortium of universities whose faculty teach and conduct research in the field of European studies with emphasis on the EU. Founded in 2004, the Network's first participating universities and colleges were the University of British Columbia (Institute for European Studies), the University of Victoria (European Studies), and Capilano University (Department of Political Studies). Since that first Study Tour, the Network has grown and is truly pan-Canadian. The EU Study Tour and Internship Program is the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in Canada and, perhaps, in North America. Capilano University provides the administrative and organizational support for the Study Tour as well as offering undergraduate credit for any student participant whose institution is not participating. See Contact us

The Network for European Studies (Canada)

The EU Study Tour and Internship Program is organized by a consortium of Canadian universities through the Network for European Studies (Canada). Many academics from Canada’s leading EU studies programs and centres have contributed to making the activity well recognized within the EU and respected by its European and Canadian partners. Members of the Network have ensured that the program of the Tour meets high standards in content and participation. (Note: The business offices of the Network are at Capilano University).

The Network provides advice on focus, themes, core program as well as matters related to the sponsorship of student participants. For example, the Network advises on internships and student selection. Individual faculty sponsors are responsible for recruitment, selection, and evaluation of their students participating in the Study Tour. The faculty sponsors from the participating institutions (institutes, centres and departments) collectively comprise the Network . To see if your institution is affiliated with the Network, see Contact us .

The Academic Coordinating Committee

The Academic Coordinating Committee is responsible for the overall planning of the Study Tour, review of student selection, and review of administration. Members of the Committee are Alexandre Berlin, Director (Program in Europe); Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly (University of Victoria); Joan DeBardeleben (Carleton University); Kurt Huebner (University of BC); Heather MacRae (York University), and Ed Lavalle, Director [Aministration] and Capilano University).

The Organizers

Professor Eduard M. Lavalle , Department of Political Studies at Capilano University, is responsible for the administration of the Tour. As well, he accompanies the participants in Europe and will provide coordination and an academic perspective rooted in the study of international organizations and international relations.

All participants will benefit from the combination of experience and practical knowledge brought to the program by Dr. Alexandre Berlin , Honourary Director of the European Commission, who shares his more than 35 years of experience within the EU. Dr. Berlin, an Associate of the Institute for European Studies at UBC, is responsible for developing the Study Tour academic program in Europe in collaboration with participating academic institutions. He will accompany participants to the institutional visits and share his knowledge and experience in briefing sessions. Dr. Berlin lives in Brussels and Paris.

Internships provide an exciting additional opportunity

In addition to the Study Tour, the Network offers a number of qualified participants internship opportunities with EU institutions and other organizations following completion of the tour. Most internships are for two months but Internships of longer duration are often available. Since 2007, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has provided grants to assist interns and is likely to do so again in 2010. See Internships

How to apply

Students whose home institutions are participating in the Network should apply through the sponsoring faculty member. All applicants for the Study Tour must register or be registered in an appropriate credit course, preferably at their home institution. Students whose home institutions are not associated with the Network may participate in the Study Tour individually but are still required to have a faculty member sponsor their participation. Students should consult their home institutions regarding credit. Please see How to Apply Deadline for applications: March1, 2010.

The Network thanks the European Community Studies Association-Canada (ECSA-C) for its assistance in promoting the EU Study Tour (see http://www.ecsanet.org ).

Some of our special partners:

Centre for European Policy Studies
Fachhochschule der Deutschen Bundesbank
payoke: ngo counter trafficking
Université Libre de Bruxelles
University of Latvia
Canadian Mission to the European Union

About the European Union Study Tour

NETWORK 2009:

Some of our special partners:

NETWORK 2009:

Some of our special partners: