July 6, 2018

CEDI Annual Lecture 2018 on the EU as a Global Normative Energy Actor"

On June 26, 2018, CEDIs third Annual Lecture took place at TU Darmstadt. Guest speaker Prof. Natalia Chaban (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand) gave a talk on "Communicating the EU as a Global Normative Energy Actor: Perceptions and Narratives"

Chaban presented her analysis of the perception of the EU as a normative energy actor  by the EU's in BRICS-Countries. In addition, she described findings of a study of the tweets connected to the EU Energy Week in the EU's ten strategic partner countries. She discussed the role of perceptions in the analysis of EU external policy and argued to apply a strategic narrative theory.

After the lecture, the award ceremony for the Jean Monnet Awards for EU in Global Dialogue 2018 took place. Over 30 guests from TU Darmstadt and JGU Mainz attended the lecture and the award ceremony.

June 29, 2017

CEDI Annual Lecture 2017 on "Brexit and European Foreign Policy"

On June 23, 2017, CEDI hosted the second Annual Lecture at JGU Mainz. Guest lecturer Dr. Geoffrey Edwards (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom) gave a talk on "Perfidious Albion - again? Brexit and European Foreign Policy". Edwards described the impact of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union on British and European Foreign Policy. He underligned the need for the UK to establish effective and close relationships with EU and Non-EU countries alike. He pointed out that the British negotiating power wiith regard to new trade agreements might be have been overestimated by British politicians and diplomats.

The effects of the Brexit on EU Foreign policy are twofold. On the on side, the Brexit might induce closer cooperation among the remaining EU member states. In the face of Brexit and a changing global order, the EU might opt for more integration in external relations and security policy. On the other side there are also problems for external cooperation. The economic situation in several member states might lead to stronger position of eurosceptic forces. In addition, EU member states have differing opinions on how to shape EU external policy, especially when it comes to the use of military force.

After the lecture, the award ceremony for the Jean Monnet Awards for EU in Global Dialogue 2017 took place. Over 40 guests from TU Darmstadt and JGU Mainz attended the lecture and the award ceremony.

July 5, 2016

CEDI Annual Lecture 2016 on "Shifting Paradigms in EU-Russian Relations"

On July 1, 2016, CEDIs first Annual Lecture took place at TU Darmstadt. Guest speaker Prof. Joan DeBardeleben (Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada) gave a talk on "Shifting Paradigms in EU-Russian Relations: Can the Dialogue be Revived?"

DeBardeleben described the changing paradigms of EU-Russian relations since the Ukraine crisis. She argued that before the crisis, the relations where shaped by a joint focus on an integrated European space. Since the Ukraine crisis, the emerging new paradigm is characterized by a focus on competing regional systems that are mutually exclusive.

DeBardeleben shows that the paradigm shift is also reflected in Russian public opinion towards the European Union.

Her talk explored underlying reasons for the rift, potential regional and global consequences, and possibilities for restoration of constructive EU-Russian dialogue. After the lecture, the award ceremony for the Jean Monnet Awards for EU in Global Dialogue 2016 took place.

Over 50 guests from TU Darmstadt and JGU Mainz attended the lecture and the award ceremony.