Debating Separatism in Europe: Negotiation Skills and Simulation Game

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label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Maria Dumitru
In addition to the economic and financial crisis, the European Union is facing yet another complex challenge of a different nature: territorial politics. After several decades of European integration, the EU has not been able to eradicate conflicts driven by territoriality within its borders. In effect, in recent years, there has been an escalation of separatist claims in several European regions (Catalonia, Scotland, Flanders, the Basque Country, Veneto, etc.).

These claims have implications for the affected nation-states but also for the EU as a whole, since they have the potential for disintegration. The students will discuss this issue simulating an EU Council Summit, where they will play the role of EU Heads of States and Governments and will have to decide on a common position for the best strategy to ensure unity, democracy defending the respective national interests.In the framework of a European Council Summit simulation, this summer school invites students to acquire knowledge in the field of minorities and separatism in Europe and combine this with both essential training in necessary skills and the practical experience of politics.

Field trips and lectures from experts will offer insights into the subject matter and give the opportunity to fully experience bordering spaces. The social program offers a wide variety of activities, from social gatherings to sports and games, movie nights and much more.Programme:

Day 1: Welcoming and Introduction, Detailed Activity Plan, Tour of the Region (1)

Day 2: Skills Training Sessions & Rules of the (Political) Game

Day 3: Skills Training Sessions & Approaching "Separatism and Minorities in Europe"

Day 4: Preparing the mandate, Simulation I, Tour of the Region (2)

Day 5: Final Resolution, Summit Reception and Gala-DinnerDay 6: Resume and Evaluation, Departure



Period
25-08-2013 - 30-08-2013 (1 weeks)

Target group
Both Bachelor and Master students with a social science background are encouraged to apply.

Course aim
The summer school will deepen students understandings of political processes and dynamics, the policy cycle, the stakeholders and actors involved. The exercises provided throughout the summer school will thus enable students to fully grasp the understanding of politics and policy-making and thus serves as a crucial input for further theoretical study.Students will be equipped with soft skills in the field of negotiation, rhetoric and speech writing. Participants will profit from the cross-disciplinary, cross-border and cross-cultural dimension of this summer school.

The location on the border allows all participants to physically experience bordering spaces. Field trips and lectures will allow participants to understand and experience the border region thoroughly.Further, the summer school provides students with non-negligible expertise in the subject matter of separatism and minorities in Europe. This topic is of essential global relevance as many contemporary conflicts illustrate. Hence, the subject matter is indeed an important field of expertise for political and social scientists in the theoretical as well as the practical realm.

Credits
5.0 ECTS credits

5 ECTS will be granted for successful participation. Courses and simulations will be taught in English.In order to apply, send a letter of motivation and a recent CV both tojaume@sam.sdu.dk & sophie-wulk@uni-flensburg.deIn case of questions or queries send us an email or call: +45/65501244 or +49/(0)461/8052577Deadline for application is June 14, 2013.

Course fee
EUR 75: The participation fee of 75 includes accommodation, full board and all course contents.

Course leader
Jaume Castan Pinosjaume@sam.sdu.dk +45/65501244& Sophie Wulksophie-wulk@uni-flensburg.de+49/(0)461/8052577

University of Flensburg/ University of Southern Denmark
Address: University of Flensburg European Studies Sophie Wulk Auf dem Campus 1 24943 Flensburg Syddansk Universitet Institut for Gr%E6nseregionsforskning Jaume Castan Pinos Alsion 2 6400 Sonderborg
Postal code: 24943
City: Sonderhav, Small Oxenisland
Country: Denmark
Website: www.europeanstudies.info
E-mail: sophie-wulk@uni-flensburg.de
Phone: 0049(0)4618052577