Europe, the Eurozone Crisis and the French Presidential Elections of 2012
The European Commission Representation and Aston Centre for Europe co-organised a lunch-time seminar on Friday, 11th May 2012 at Europe House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3EU.
Europe and the world have changed fundamentally since French voters elected a new President in 2007. Global financial and economic crisis has dominated world politics for the past five years. This in turn, has exposed weaknesses in the eurozone and prompted urgent thinking about the remedies to the sovereign-debt crisis. France has been at the heart of the European project since the early 1950s and will certainly play a decisive role in resolving the current malaise. The people of France chose their next President on 6th May 2012 that will have profound consequences for the rest of the EU.
The seminar bought together four analysts from academia and the private sector to discuss what the implications of the French Presidential elections are for Europe. Also being looked at will be the election results, what they mean politically and economically, as well as what they mean for business.
Seminar on Maximising Research Impact
Sue Duncan, the first Chief Government Social Researcher and former Director of the Government Social Research Unit (GSRU) in the UK Cabinet Office and at present President of the UK Social Policy Association delivered a seminar on Wednesday, 8th February 2012 on Maximising Research Impact.
The discussion centred on what 'impact' in the social sciences really means and how (if at all) it can be usefully measured. Sue also looked at what kinds of research are most likely to generate impacts as well as strategies for working with policy-makers, drawing on her extensive experience of working at the heart of UK government.
The European Parliament and how it works
Malcolm Harbour, MEP gave a lecture on 9th December 2011 on the 'European Parliament and how it works to staff & students.
Europe 2020: Securing smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for the new Europe
An Aston Centre for Europe Conference
The “New EU Agenda” series 2011
Thursday 7th July 2011
Background
In 2010 the European Commission launched a new initiative to boost growth in the European Union. Known as the “Europe 2020” strategy, this approach puts innovation and green growth firmly at the heart of the Commission’s blueprint for driving forward European competitiveness. But how robust is the Europe 2020 framework? Are its aims achievable? Does it address fully the needs of European entrepreneurs and business leaders for a leaner, fitter policy framework that will support sustainable growth and jobs creation?
This conference brings together business leaders, academics, policy practitioners and local activists with a shared interest in developing a sound European policy framework for the delivery of the Europe 2020 strategy’s goals and objectives.
Download the programme
Audience and Target Groups:
A broad audience consisting of stakeholders from local and regional business community and voluntary organisations, regional and national government, together with opinion formers and decision-makers from the European institutions.
Attendance at the event is free of charge. For further details and to reserve a place, please contact europe@aston.ac.uk
Panelists considered a number of questions, including: Is public administration research still relevant to today’s policy context? Is the ‘public’ the problem with Public Administration, in a policy context where the size and scope of the state is being reduced? What can we learn from Public Administration research and education in other countries? How can, and should, the study of Public Administration relate to research and theory developed in related fields such as Politics and Public Management?
Speakers addressed the challenges facing the discipline of Public Administration. These included: increasing institutional fragmentation, lower availability of research funding, and lack of confidence amongst potential students in a subject perceived to be only concerned with the public sector. They also detailed the challenges for politicians in making and delivering public policy, such as the global financial crisis, demographic changes and the social and political implications of social change and risks.
Nonetheless, speakers offered an upbeat assessment for the subject as well as demonstrating the richness and variety of Public Administration research. British Public Administration research was described as well placed to absorb insights from across the social and even management sciences, as well as being open to innovations in theory and methodology from Europe and the US. Furthermore, many speakers argued that a Public Administration perspective was essential in order to better understand policy fields as diverse as policing, local government, healthcare, education, and even terrorism.
The lively debate at the colloquium, and range of ages, backgrounds and professional experiences of attendees, indicated the continuing importance of the subject of Public Administration, both to train and educate students about public policy-making and delivery, but also to better understand the activities of governments at all levels. Professor Simon Green, Co-Director of the Aston Centre for Europe, concluded: 'In light of the current austerity drive, which is unique in recent British history in its extent, this conference was, to say the very least, timely. Josie Kelly and Anneliese Dodds are to be warmly congratulated on the idea itself and on bringing together such a high-profile range of speakers.'
Lecture by Shabana Mahmood MP
A talk by Shabana Mahmood, Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood took place on Friday 28th January at 2pm in room MB550.
She was first elected to Parliament (representing the constituency which includes Aston University) in 2010, having previously been a barrister. Shabana was born and raised in Birmingham, and was president of her college students’ union. She was one of the first Muslim women, and Asian women, MPs. Unusually for a new MP, Shabana was appointed Shadow Home Office Minister by Ed Miliband, Labour’s leader.
Shabana is also advertising two placements for Aston students, one in her Westminster Office and one in her constituency office. Students on placement next year should already have details. She has kindly agreed to extend the deadline for these until after her talk.
Green Growth and Sustainability
The Aston Centre for Europe Launch Conference on creating jobs and sustainable growth. This conference was sponsored by the European Commission.
Malcolm Harbour MEP on the European Parliament
Malcolm Harbour MEP spoke to Aston students and staff on the
European Parliament.
Legacies of 1989
Sponsored by the European Commission, this event considered
21 Years of Democratic Change in Eastern Europe. The keynote speech was presented by Sir Christopher Mallaby, former ambassador to West Germany.
Nationalism, Tribalism and Ethnic Politics
Prof Daniel Chirot (University of Washington in Seattle) was our guest lecturer at this event on
nationalism and conflict. The lecture consdiered a number of African, European and North American cases to help us understand why some conflicts remain calm while others become violent.
Democratizing the European Union?
This European Commission sponsored event
raised questions regarding European elections and the entry into force of a new institutional regime under the Lisbon Treaty.
What Next for European Neighbourhood Policy?
Aston Centre for Europe, in partnership with the
European Commission for External Relations (RELEX), the
Jean Monnet Wider Europe network and
Media Consulta, held the conference on ‘Soft Power, Hard Choices:
What Next for Europe’s Neighbourhood Policy?’
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