PROTEUS 2022 Seminar
+++ Extension of the application deadline to 14 March 2022 +++
This years topic will be "The Conference on the Future of Europe - Discuss the conference report with consideration of European perspectives"
On 9th May 2021 the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission have committed to listen to Europeans and to follow up, within their sphere of competences, on the recommendations made. They have invited all Europeans to share their ideas about how Europe should evolve, what the priorities should be and how to prepare for a post-Covid world. The EU institutions want to consult as many people as possible, with a special focus on young people.
The Conference is more than a listening exercise. The contributions that people make on the online platform feed into debates with MEPs, members of the national parliaments, government and EU representatives, as well as other stakeholders. These debates will become the foundation for policy proposals that will be turned into concrete EU action. Parliament, the Council and the Commission have pledged to listen to people's proposals and follow up on the Conference’s outcome.
By spring 2022, the Conference is expected to reach conclusions and provide guidance on the future of Europe. These conclusions will be analyzed and discussed by the participants of PROTEUS 2022.
About the seminar
The seminar is embedded into an interdisciplinary and international event bringing together advanced students from Political Sciences and Law Departments. It combines the application of political and legal knowledge with elements of a simulation exercise. Every participant has the possibility to practice real-life situations in English by performing a specific role in a simulation of negotiations within a European Council Summit on the results of the “Conference on the Future of Europe”.
The seminar will start with an introductory session and will be followed by several lectures and an excursion to Brussels. The seminar will culminate in a simulation exercise (European Council Summit) on negotiating the future of the European Union.
The objective of the simulation exercise is to bring first-hand understanding of both academic and everyday practice of EU decision-making by offering students insights in "real life" political processes and the possibility to "experience" the EU as a vivid political system as well as to meet politicians, practitioners and stakeholders in the European capital Brussels. The participants will have the possibility to bring in their own academic/professional contributions and to discuss them with the group and the experts. They will get a better understanding of the working mechanisms and decision-making procedures of the European Council since every participant will take the place of a ‘real’ member of this EU institution.
Dates
Introductory Session (Online): 14.04.2022, 14:00-16:00 CET
Lecture (Cologne): 05.05.2022, 14:30-17:00 CET
Several Lectures (Online/ Cologne): (tba)
Simulation Game (Brussels): scheduled for the beginning of June (tba)
Accommodation expenses will be paid by PROTEUS, a project which is funded by the Kölner Gymnasial- und Stiftungsfonds.
Application
The application deadline of Proteus 2022 is 14 March 2022.
More Information on the application process can be found here.