News

 

Workshop on Conceptual Issues and Levels of Cooperation, 1-3 July 2009

The first workshop of the EU-GRASP project was jointly organized by Warwick University and UNU-CRIS. This workshop was held from 1 July to 3 July at the College of Europe in Bruges. Warwick University and UNU-CRIS (respectively leaders of WP2 and WP3) had previously agreed to jointly organize the event.

The workshop was attended by members of each of the EU-GRASP partners except from ISS which had to be excused from the event. Despite not being able to attend the ISS still contributed to the workshop by sending their written contributions. All the other partners were able to present their papers and send in a written copy.

In addition to the EU-GRASP partners the workshop also welcomed Dr. Caroline Bouchard from the University of Edinburgh representing FP7 project MERCURY, Dr. Astrid B. Boening from the University of Miami and Dr. Andrea Ellner from King’s College London and UK Defence Academy. Dr. Caroline Bouchard presented a paper on MERCURY’s approach of Multilateralism; Dr. Astrid Boening presented a paper on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership while Dr. Andrea Gellner served as a discussant for the paper on EU Security Governance.

 

Launch Event, 10 February 2009

The Launch event was held at the Residence Palace in Brussels on Tuesday 10 February from 9.00 to 12.30. More than 70 people attended the launch event. The attendees came from both the academic world (various universities and research centres) and the policy making world (EU Commission, etc.). The opening of the event was done by Jean‐Michel Baer, Director of Science and Society, European Commission, and was followed by an introduction of the project by Dr. Luk Van Langenhove. Emil Kirchner from the University of Essex delivered a Key‐note speech on the EU and Evolving Concepts of Security.

Next was held a Roundtable comprising members of the consortium and of the Advisory board focusing on the EU and Multilateral Security Governance. The roundtable was then followed by a discussion with the members of the public. Eventually, Kurt Vandenberghe, Head of Private Office Commissioner Janez Potočnik, offered the closing words for the event.

 

The PowerPoint presentations used during the launch event are available for downloads  the presentation of the keynote by Prof. Dr. Emil Kirchner and the introduction by the project coordinator Prof. Dr. Luk van Langenhove or view the programme of the event.

 

Advisory Board meeting and Kick‐Off meeting, 9 February 2009

 

The first Advisory Board meeting took place on the afternoon of Monday 9 February. This first meeting allowed the various members of the Advisory Board to meet with the people working on the EU‐GRASP project. During the meeting the Advisory Board members were also briefed on the content and work plan of the EU‐GRASP project.