N°11 – May 2010

EIUC BoardHorst Fischer, Bochum (President)Attracta Ingram, Dublin (Deputy-President)Guy Haarscher, BrusselsFelipe Gomez, Bilbao Jean-Paul Lehners, LuxembourgZdzislaw Kedzia, PoznanMaria Teresa Pizarro Beleza, LisbonKalliope Agapiou-Josephides, Cyprus

EIUC Honorary President:Mary Robinson

On 6 May 2010 in Brussels, EIUC in cooperation with the European Commission organised a seminar on The New European Union Architecture in the Field of Human Rights. The seminar aimed at reflecting on the consequences of the Lisbon Treaty on the EU human rights/fundamental rights policy. The entry into force of the Fundamental Rights Charter, the envisaged EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the overarching mandate of the HR/VP and the forthcoming creation of the EEAS, all constitute important new developments with a considerable impact upon the EU’s human rights policy.

A special attention was paid to the new legal architecture, the new structures and their respective functions, and the necessary coherence of the policies and instruments

in the EU’s internal and external action following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The seminar gathered members of the European Commission, the Council, the Parliament as well as members of other international organisations, civil society and university representatives.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Jean-Paul Jacqué (Professor Emeritus, Université de Strasbourg, EIUC, Honorary Director General, Council of the EU), Olivier de Schutter (Professor, Université Catholique de Louvain, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food), and Marc Franco (Head of EU Delegation in Egypt, European Commission).

Véronique Arnault, Director at the DG RELEX, concluded the seminar by expressing her wish for a more coherent vision of the EU policies in the field of human rights.

AMARTYA SEN AT THE EIUC VENICE ACADEMY OF HUMAN RIGHTS by Knut Traisbach, EIUC Project Responsible

From 12-17 July 2010, the inaugural session of EIUC’s Venice Academy of Human Rights will take place in the monastery of San Nicolò in Venice Lido (Italy).

The inaugural session will focus on sovereignty and development as two overarching themes, which will be addressed from the angles of economics, philosophy, law and international relations theory.

The distinguished and interdisciplinary faculty of the inaugural session includes the Nobel Prize Laureate Amartya Sen, Jochen Abr. Frowein, Theodor Meron, Manfred Nowak, Giorgio Sacerdoti and Kathryn Sikkink.

Amartya Sen will speak about “The Idea of Human Rights” related to his latest seminal book The Idea of Justice. He will also participate in a round table on Thursday, 15 July on “Strategies for

Development and Poverty Reduction”.

Applications for the inaugural session have been received from more than twenty different countries around the globe and include academics, Ph.D. researchers and practitioners from international

organisations (including UN, EU and OSCE), diplomatic services, think tanks and NGOs.

One of the principal distinguishing characteristics of the Venice Academy is the small and intensive setting. Selected participants will attend the morning lectures in the plenum and participate in seminars in smaller groups. In addition, participants will present and discuss their own “work-in-progress”, such as drafts of articles or book chapters, in informal workshops. This unique structure provides for an exquisite forum for the development and exchange of ideas, practices, and policy options in the field of human rights and democratisation.

After the successful inauguration of the Venice Academy in July, EIUC will establish the Academy firmly as a new centre of excellence for human rights education, research, and debate in Europe.

EIUC gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the European Commission towards its activities

SEMINAR on THE NEW EUROPEAN UNION ARCHITECTURE IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS

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Venice Academy of Human Rights12 - 17 July 2010 www.eiuc.org/veniceacademy

In this edition: Amartya Sen at EIUC EIUC / EC Seminar on the New EU Architecture of Human RightsVisit of Moscow DelegationEIUC & ADF Meeting EIUC & Ca Foscari Joint SeminarsMEP Zanicchi visits EIUC20 Anniversary of the Venice CommissionGTZ & EIUC Académie d’été Venice School of Human RightsEIUC Diplomatic Conference 2010Maghreb Expert Network MeetingE.MAlumni AssociationEIUC Calendar

EIUC Voicecoordination:Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer and Corinna Greco

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and DemocratisationMonastery of San NicolòRiviera San Nicolò 26I – 30126 Venice - LidoTel. +39 041 2720911 Fax +39 041 2720914secretariat@eiuc.orgwww.eiuc.org

www.eiuc.org

The Arab Democracy Foundation (ADF) took the initiative to launch, in collaboration with EIUC, an international cooperation network on Democracy Education in the MENA region. The meeting took place at the Notre Dame University of Beirut on 29 and 30 April 2010 and gathered representatives of the universities of the region.

Mr. Mohsen Marzouk, ADF Secretary General, explained the wish of ADF to develop a master in democratisation in partnership with universities from the region on the model of the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (E.MA).

Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC Secretary General, attended the meeting in order to explain the functioning of EIUC and E.MA and to discuss about modalities and possible tracks of cooperation, opportunities of mobility for students or academics, as well as involvement of EIUC in future scientific programmes.

VISIT TO EIUC OF MOSCOW DELEGATION IN APRIL 2010

On 12 April 2010 three delegates of the Russian Consortium Project Management Team, Mrs. Shivleta Tagirova from the PFUR (People Friendship University of Russia), Mrs. Daria Trenina from the MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International

Relations) and Natalia Shatina from the RGGU (Russian State University of the Humanities), together with Mr. Rachid Alouach from the UN-OHCHR Russia visited the EIUC premises in view of designing the first steps to implement the agreement between EIUC and the Consortium in the coming months.

Profs. Florence Benoît-Rohmer and Fabrizio Marrella welcomed the Russian colleagues and discussed with them many opportunities for teachers and students mobility. As a first step Prof. Fabrizio Marrella, E.MA Programme Director, had gone to Moscow in April 2010 and delivered lectures to the 15 students of the Russian Federation Human Rights Master

launched by the Consortium in September 2009 under the coordination and with the support of the OHCHR Russia.

Prof. Marrella also participated as a key speaker in the International Conference of the People Friendship University of Russia and conducted consultations with teachers of the Russian Human Rights Master regarding the Curriculum of the Programme.

Since the Cooperation Agreement provides for the participation, on a regular basis, of professors from EIUC, four more E.MA professors are expected to teach in Moscow in the months to come.

EUROPEAN-ARAB UNIVERSITIES’MEETING - NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY BEIRUT, 29-30 APRIL 2010

MEP IVA ZANICCHI VISITS EIUC

The EIUC-Cà Foscari international seminars initiative is aimed aimed at opening up to E.MA Students and the public present in Venice some of the finest discussions on current issues of international law and human rights. The last events, organised by Prof. Marrella, E.MA Programme Director, in the Aula Magna of Cà Foscari have been the following:

- Seminar on EU, China and Human Rights: Crossing Perspectives: this event has been organised on .... in the splendid venue of Aula Baratto in Cà Foscari University. Dr. Jonas Grimheden, from the EU Fundamental Rights Agency; Prof. Zhang Wei, from the Chinese University of Political Science and Law together with Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC Secretary General, who chaired the event, discussed with the public on the situation of human rights in China and the EU debating on crossing perspectives.

- The Council of Europe and Human Rights Protection in the Third Millennium: this seminar was organised on 4 June

2010 to celebrate the work of the Council of Europe and the first 20 years of activity of the Venice Commission (European Commission for Democracy through Law). The very purpose of the Venice Commission is to assist the Council of Europe member States and beyond in the adoption of democratic constitutions and laws which will pave the way for lasting peace on the European continent. Speakers of this seminar have been, among others, Prof. Jan Erik Helgesen, First Vice-President of the Venice Commission, Professor at the University of Oslo; Prof. Pieter Van Dijk (Netherlands State Councillor, President of the Administrative Jurisdiction Division, Council of State); Prof. Werner Sollors

from Harvard University. Prof. Mike Newton from Vanderbilt University and professors Ignazio Musu, Maurizio Cermel and Lauso Zagati from Cà Foscari University. After the opening by Prof. Carraro, Rector of Cà Foscari University of Venice and Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC Secretary General the seminar was moderated by Prof. Fabrizio Marrella whereas Prof. Benoît-Rohmer presented the final conclusions of the meeting.

Iva Zanicchi, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament, visited the EIUC premises and was particularly interested in the functioning of the Centre and of the different programmes run by EIUC. Ms Zanicchi expressed her support to EIUC.

EIUC & CA FOSCARI UNIVERSITY OF VENICE JOINT INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS ON HUMAN RIGHTS

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VENICE COMMISSION

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, EIUC Secretary General and E.MA Programme Director were invited to participate in the ceremony that took place on 5 June in Scuola Grande San Giovani Evangelista. The President of the Republic of Hungary, President of Georgia, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Personal Representative of the President of the Republic of Algeria gave speeches to take stock of the activities of the Venice Commission and to launch new projects for the future.

Prof. Marrella (E.MA Programme Director), Ms Zanicchi, Prof. Fischer (EIUC President)

The European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)has decided to accept a new challenge this year by adding to the already well established European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (E.MA), several educational activities that will make the summer temperature grow even hotter for the Monastery of San Nicolò inhabitants.

After the Académie d’été sur la bonne gouvernance au Maghreb that will take place in mid June, the month of July will start with the launching of the Venice School of Human Rights and Democratisation.

From 1 to 10 July 2010, 60 students from different academic backgrounds, coming from all over the world will meet in Venice in order to share and deepen their knowledge of human rights issues.

The goal of the Venice School is to allow its participants to be updated on the state-of-the-art debate on human rights issues and to be stimulated to a reflexion on the actual challenges faced by human rights defenders in the world.

The Venice School will also aim at facilitating the exchange of experiences while enhancing an intercultural dialogue amongst its international participants.

The 2010 edition of the Venice School will develop around three main themes:• Human Rights as our Responsibility,

under the responsibility of Prof. Zdzislaw Kedzia from Adam Mickiewicz University,

• Human Rights and Business, under the responsibility of Prof. Fabrizio Marrella, E.MA Programme Director,

• Human Rights and Climate Change, under the responsibility of Dr. Carmen Maganda from the Université du Luxembourg.

Courses will be taught in English by internationally recognised experts in the field of human rights belonging to EIUC’s partner universities and other organisations that support EIUC projects and endeavours.

www.emahumanrights.org

EIUC and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH will organize from 19 to 26 June 2010 the second edition of the Académie d’été sur la bonne gouvernance au Maghreb.

The Académie - which first edition was held in Marrakech, Morocco in July 2008 - will be focused on “Bonne gouvernance, État et société civile” and as such revolve around three specific thematic areas:

a) the role of state institutions in the framework of good governance: interactions and responsibilities;

b) electoral processes: electoral systems, rules and procedures;

c) the role of civil society in the promotion of good governance.

Supporting the Académie is also the ’Al Kawakibi Democracy Transition Center (KADEM) of Tunis, with whom EIUC and GTZ have been cooperating for past initiatives.

The Académie, which will take place at the EIUC seat, the Monastery of San Nicolò at Venice-Lido, will involve as participants 30 young graduates and professionals coming

from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Tunisia, sharing experiences and interest on good governance issues.

Dr. Michäel Bechir Ayari, from the University of Marseille-Aix will act as Academic Coordinator, while the group of facilitators will include both academics and experts coming from the Maghreb region and Europe. Among them: Professors Mohcine El Ahmadi, and Youssef El Bouhairi, from University Cadi Ayadd, Marrakech; Prof. Jean-Paul Jacqué, Université de Strasbourg; Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC Secretary General; Mr. Patrick Dupont, Relex B2, European Commission; Mr. Jens Deppe, Ms Margarete Jacob and Ms Katrin Schäfer (GTZ Experts), representatives from the Association Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates and from an Algerian journalist forum.

EIUC VENICE SCHOOL OF HUMAN RIGHTS

by Elisabetta Noli, EIUC Senior Project Manager

by Alberta Rocca, EIUC External Relations Manager, and Linda Zampol D’Ortia, Venice School Project Officer

GTZ & EIUC ACADEMIE D’ETE SUR LA BONNE GOUVERNANCE AU MAGHREB Bonne Gouvernance, Etat et Société civile

Venice School of Human Rights1 - 10 July 2010 www.eiuc.org/veniceschool

Académie d’été sur la

Bonne Gouvernanceau Maghreb19-26 juin 2010

en coopération avec

MEETING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REFLECTION GROUP FOR NETWORKING IN THE MAGHREB REGION

DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE on The 2011 Review of the Human Rights CouncilEIUC will organise a Diplomatic Conference on The 2011 Review of the Human Rights Council. It will take place on 16-17 July at the Monastery of San Nicolò in Venice. The conference will gather EIUC scholars, Cohom members, European Union and other international organisations representatives.The participants will brainstorm on the challenges of the upcoming review of the Human Rights Council.

Ms Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, accepted to open the conference.

On 26 June 2010, EIUC and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH will organise at the EIUC seat, in addition to the Académie d’Eté sur la Bonne Gouvernance au Maghreb “Bonne gouvernance, État et société civile”, a “brainstorming meeting” to discuss the idea to establish a network on good governance in the Maghreb region.

GTZ and EIUC - following cooperation over the last three years on the development and organisation of programmes dedicated to the theme of good governance in the Maghreb region - wish to build upon the fruitful relationships started with

regional institutions (national and local governments, academic partners, NGOs and other civil society actors), with a view to establish a network willing to continue to cooperate in exchanging good practices and experience in the field, as well as act as advisory group to GTZ and EIUC for the development of new initiatives.

Participating in the meeting, in addition to the GTZ and EIUC representatives, invitees from the following organisations : Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech; Université Aix-Marseille; CAWTAR, Tunis; Cour des Comptes, Tunis; Cour des Comptes, Rabat; KADEM, Tunis; Université d’Alger/CREAD.

For more information please contact academiemaghreb@eiuc.org

What is the E.MAlumni Association? It is the association of graduates of the E.MA programme. By September 2010 the E.MAlumni community will count more than 1000 members representing a qualified force in the human rights professional market all around the globe.

Which are the aims of E.MAlumni?Through its activities the Association aims at promoting and reinforcing contacts between its members, at supporting EIUC activities and promoting HR & D in Europe and throughout the world.

What is the role of EIUC and of the EC?Some attempts to create and launch the E.MAlumni Association took place since the first meeting in November 2002 in Venice; over the years and with the growing number of graduates it became important also for EIUC and for the EC to press alumni to relaunch the Association by the appointment of a dedicated staff member. The meetings held on 21 May were possible through these two actors and E.MAlumni appreciated the support and active participation of the EC representatives (DG RELEX and DG AIDCO) and the EIUC Secretary General.

What happened on 21 May 2010? The E.MAlumni Inaugural Meeting took place in Brussels. The morning session was devoted to a seminar on Human Rights Defenders with Mr. Alessio Cappellani (DG RELEX) and Mr. Vincent Forest (Front Line) as keynote speakers. Six Alumni participated in a lively and

interesting round table during which some of the difficulties faced by human rights defenders around the world were illustrated. These Alumni were Mr. Ewoud Plate (E.MA 98/99, Aim for Human Rights), Mr. Igor Vorontsov (E.MA 00/01, PeaceNexus), Ms Susanna Daag (E.MA 04/05, CIFCA), Ms Lena Barrett (E.MA 06/07, Uni York - Centre for Applied Human Rights), Ms Diana Doris Akiidii-M’Bingham (E.MA 06/07, GTZ), Ms Lydia Malmedie (E.MA 07/08, Stonewall) and Ms Sophie Mirgaux (E.MA 07/08, Belgian MFA) acted as moderator. Before the General Assembly was opened in the afternoon, Mr. Sanel Huskic (President of ACIPS –Association Alumni from the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Sarajevo) presented ACIPS’ history and developments allowing it to become, over the years, a key NGO in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Which are the tools of E.MAlumni and how will it contribute to the promotion of HR and democratisation?By using the E.MAlumni website, members can: access statistics about their occupation and field of expertise; search on the internal CVs database; join various discussion fora; vote online for decision-making and election processes; post job and

internship; submit project proposals for professional and social interaction and cooperation.

How do you assess this E.MAlumni Inaugural Meeting? The whole day was successful: first of all for the great attendance of E.MA

graduates and students representing all academic years, then for the interesting and inspiring presentations on HR defenders from the EC and E.MAlumni experiences and perspectives, finally for the E.MAlumni General Assembly discussions about the roles and potentialities of the Association. The E.MAlumni’s Statute was amended and then adopted with enthousiasm. It now includes, in its Preamble, the fundamental role of EIUC for the E.MAlumni Association, as well as new modalities to conduct remote discussions and to implement decision-making processes through the E.MAlumni website. The GA also entrusted the future President and Board with two core actions: the strengthening of the network and its visibility outside the Association, other than the realisation of a first project within a year.

What’s next for the E.MAlumni Association? Besides continuing the registration of new members in the Association, we are in the heart of a busy period for the election for the first President and Board. E.MAlumni can campaign on the website until 15 June and elections will take place from 16 till 30 June. Results will be known on 1 July 2010.

Follow us on www.emalumniassociation.org

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BOOSTING THE E.MALUMNI ASSOCIATION An interview to Cristiano Gianolla, EIUC Networking Officer, and Corinna Greco, EIUC Communication Manager and E.MAlumni Vice-President ad interim

EIUC CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE SUMMER 2010NEW CUP-EIUC PUBLICATION

EIUC is pleased to announce the second volume of its Cambridge University Press series EIUC Studies on Human Rights and Democrat isat ion: United Nations Reform and the New Collective Security.

Edited by Peter G. Danchin, Horst Fischer. Cambridge University Press, 2010. 450 pages. ISBN 978-0-521-51543-6 Hardback

• 19-26/6: Académie d’été sur la bonne gouvernance au Maghreb – “Bonne gouvernance, État et société civile”

• 27/6: Meeting for the establishment of a reflection group for networking in the Maghreb region

• 1-10/7: Venice School of Human Rights

• 12-17/7: Venice Academy of Human Rights

• 15/7: round table on Strategies for Development and Poverty Reduction with Amartya Sen, Giorgio Sacerdoti, Manfred Nowak, Guy Haarscher, Véronique Arnault, and Bernd Eisenblätter

• 17/7: EIUC Diplomatic Conference on The 2011 Review of the Human Rights Council

• 18/7: Advisory Board meeting, EIUC Board meeting

• 15/9: Start of the E.MA 2010/2011

• 24/9: E.MA Universities Fair

• 25/9: E.MA Theses Defence 2009/2010

• 26/9: E.MA Awarding Ceremony 2009/2010 and opening of the E.MA academic year 2010/2011

• 27/9: Regional Masters meeting