assessing accession

 

REGISTRATION FORM [Word Document] Deadline for registration is 1st May 2010

PROGRAMME [PDF version]

CALL FOR PAPERS [PDF version] Now closed

Travel Update

A number of travel issues may affect some participants traveling to Bucharest. These include the volcanic ash cloud which is threatening to return to UK and otehr European airspace next week. Please check with your airline to confirm that your flight is still operational. Some participants may also be traveling with British Airways who are due to hold a series of 5 day strikes starting Tuesday 18th and continuing on Monday 24th. If you are planning to fly with British Airways you should check with them to confirm if your flight will be affected by the strike.

PLEASE NOTE: it is planned that the symposium will continue to take place even if some participants are unable to attend due to travel disruption. Assessing Accession bears no responsibility for travel problems and will be unable to provide travel bursaries to those participants unable to attend. If you are unable to attend you should seek a refund from your airline or insurance company.

Overview

With the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon a period of institutional and political reform within the European Union (EU) has come full circle. Lasting almost eight years, the reform process, beginning with the Convention on the Future of Europe (2001) and ending with the Treaty of Lisbon (2009) was intended to create a functioning institutional framework for the EU following the historic 2004/2007 enlargements and allow for future expansion. The subsequent adjustments made to the Union’s decision-making mechanisms, inter-institutional interactions and policy agendas has led the EU into unchartered terrains where its functionality and legitimacy will be ultimately put to the test. Building on five full years of membership and in light of the high profile role played by some Central and East European (CEE) member states (i.e. Czech Republic and Poland) in the negotiations and ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, the relevance of these reforms for CEE cannot be underestimated, whether from a domestic or EU-wide perspective. Several topical issues can be raised for discussion; for example: What role/s will be played by CEE member states in the new institutional framework? Will CEE member states be capable of taking advantage of the new rules to further their national interest? Is the move toward a majoritarian view of democracy inside the EU detrimental to the CEE member states? Will the citizens of the CEE member states be satisfied with the workings of the Union or with the quality of national representation in the EU’s political structure and policy process?

Guest Speaker

The keynote address (title to be confirmed) at this year's symposium will be given by Professor Philippe C. Schmitter, Emeritus Professor, European University Institute (EUI).

Professor Schmitter is also due to receive an honorary degree from SNSPA.

Born in 1936, is a graduate of the Graduate Institute for International Studies of the University of Geneva, and took his doctorate at the University of California at Berkeley. Since 1967 he has been successively assistant professor, associate professor and professor in the Politics Department of the University of Chicago, then at the European University Institute (1982-86) and at Stanford (1986-96). He has been visiting professor at the Universities of Paris-I, Geneva, Mannheim and Zürich, and Fellow of the Humboldt Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation and the Palo Alto Centre for Advanced Studies in the Behavioural Sciences. He has published books and articles on comparative politics, on regional integration in Western Europe and Latin America, on the transition from authoritarian rule in Southern Europe and Latin America, and on the intermediation of class, sectoral and professional interests. His current work is on the political characteristics of the emerging Euro-polity, on the consolidation of democracy in Southern and Eastern countries, and on the possibility of post-liberal democracy in Western Europe and North America.

Professor Philippe C. Schmitter was Professor of Political Science at the European University Institute in Florence, Department of Political and Social Sciences until September 2004. He was then nominated Professorial Fellow at the same Institution. He is now Emeritus of the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European Univeristy Institute.

Information for Paper Givers

Paper givers should complete and return a registration form no later than 1st May 2010. Completed papers should be submitted to the organisers by email no later than 14th May 2010. This is to give all participants time to download and read the papers in advance of the symposium. We would like to give individuals at least one week to do this. The symposium will adopt a roundtable workshop format; it is intended that this will ensure that paper givers obtain constructive feedback and comment on their work, as well as an opportunity to disseminate new and original material.

The symposium will take place in the University buildings of the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) which are located at 6 Povernei Street, Bucharest 010643. SNSPA is a public institution of higher education located in bucharest, Romania. It is a dynamic institution, well grounded in European affairs, operating across several fields of study including: political science, sociology, international relations,public administration, communications, public relations and management. For details of SNSPA please visit its website [romanian language]. An english language prospectus for the institution can be downloaded here.

Accommodation

Affordable, quality accommodation has been arranged for symposium participants. Participants will be responsible for their own accommodation costs. Bookings can be made using the registration form.

> Hotel Unique (€62 per night) http://www.hotelunique.ro/?lang=en 4 star & v 5 minutes from the conference venue; Airport transfer can be arranged (€10-15 per person, each way)

> University Guest House (€30-€40 per night) 2-3 star bed and breakfast style & only 20 minutes from conference venue

Travel

How to reach the SNSPA building on

• From Otopeni Airport take bus 783 to Piata Victoriei station and from there on foot to Povernei st., no. 6-8.
• From Baneasa Airport take bus 783 until the same station, or buses 131 and 301 stations by ASE or Piata Romana. From here on foot to Povernei st., no. 6-8 (near bld. Lascar Catargiu).
• From Gara de Nord Railway Station take the subway to Piata Victoriei station and from there walk 10 minutes to Povernei st., no 6-8, or take no. 86 trolley bus to Piata Romana station.
• Various parts of Bucharest can be reached by subway: Piata Romana or Piata Victoriei stations; buses 381, 226, 368, 133 are available; also trolleys 79 and 85 may be used.