University American College Skopje and University of Rome Tor Vergata are proud to initiate
the 14th annual international academic conference on European integration
INNOVATING EUROPE
Skopje, 16 May 2019
This inter- and multi-disciplinary conference seeks to examine the concept of innovation affecting all areas of life and all aspects of future European development. Taking into consideration the pressing need to find innovative economic, social and political solutions to evolving challenges to the European project, this conference aims to critically reflect on EU innovation policies, methodologies and instruments by addressing key issues, in particular:
- New EU economy prospects
- Business innovations
- The future of skills
- Cross-industry innovations
- Public sector innovations
- Social innovations
- Innovative schooling and education models
- Non-technological innovation and innovation in the services sector
- Technological breakthroughs
- New processes and business models
- Startups and entrepreneurship
- Small and medium size enterprises
- Family businesses
- Challenges to innovation, in particular in South East Europe
- Digital transformation
- Innovative youth cooperation and regional initiatives
Click here to download the 2019 Book of Abstract
University American College Skopje is proud to initiate
the 13th annual international academic conference on European integration
EUROPE AND THE BALKANS
Skopje, Thursday 17 May 2018
This inter and multi-disciplinary conference seeks to re-examine the complex construct of the Balkans in the European political and cultural imagination. Though claimed by the local nations as ‘the cradle of civilization’, for Western imagining the region has featured as ‘part of Europe, yet not of it’ (M. Mazower). The negative demi-orientalizing discourse which stigmatized the Balkans as a vortex of stagnation and violence, that is – ‘an incomplete self’ of Europe (M. Todorova) has been thought to fade away with the integration of the Balkan countries into the European Union. Nevertheless, the term ‘Western Balkans’, invented as a seeming mask of political correctness, testifies to the prevailing prejudice and to the obstacles to the process of European integration.
In November 2015, the European Commission set out a medium-term strategy for EU enlargement. Still, the challenges faced by the EU continue on various fronts, as there are multiple crises with destabilizing potential not only in Europe, but also globally. The six Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, though united by the common goal of joining the EU, still face divisions, both infrastructural and political. The so-called ‘Berlin process’ (consisting of high-level meetings between 2014 and 2018) aiming to reaffirm the region’s EU perspective by improving cooperation and economic stability within it, reflects important aspects of the relationship between Europe and the Balkans.
At the backdrop of new EU realities following the Brexit vote and the migration crisis, this conference aims to consider this relationship by addressing key issues, like:
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- (Re)imagining the Balkans: Western recycled cultural and political constructs of the region in art, literature, film, media and the public discourse in general
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- Reconsidering the prevailing negative discourses of Byzantinism and Balkanism
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- Deconstructing the ‘Western Balkans’ stigma of stagnation and instability
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- Geopolitical issues: the Balkans amidst the USA, the EU and Russia
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- Geopolitical and other open issues among the Balkan states, including the regional aspirations of Turkey
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- The Berlin process: a new framework for regional cooperation and reconciliation
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- The 2017 Trieste Summit, the 2018 London Summit and beyond: aims, effects and perspectives
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- Energy infrastructure, transportation connectivity and economic integration
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- Challenges to doing business in South East Europe
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- Minority-majority relations
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- Youth cooperation and regional initiatives
- Scientific cooperation and education exchange, especially with and within South East Europe
University American College Skopje is proud to initiate
the 12th annual international academic conference on European integration
RETHINKING MIGRATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOLIDARITY IN EUROPE
Skopje, Thursday 25 May 2017
This inter- and multi-disciplinary one-day conference seeks to re-examine the current situation in Europe, and to discuss scenarios of its future. In particular, it aims to juxtapose and rethink the concepts of migration, economic growth and solidarity in Europe. Following the Brexit vote amidst an ongoing migration crisis, many pose the question about the future of the European Union. While it is difficult to predict how the greatest political project in history will alter under existential pressures both from within and from without, it becomes necessary to consider the general trends, to foresee the consequences, and to offer elucidations which go beyond incited fears, continuing prejudice, or short-term interests.
Major issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
– Dealing with migrants and refugees at and within EU borders
– Discussions around European solidarity, migration, and security
– Economic predictions for the EU and its member states
– EU enlargement and the Western Balkans
– The impact of Brexit on the EU and the UK
– European security and responses to terrorism
– The rise of conservatism in Europe
– Innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in Europe
– Youth programs and transnational education exchange
Case studies comparing at least three countries (including but not limited to those of South East Europe) as well as research-based policy recommendations are encouraged.
The working language of the conference is English. This year the conference welcomes both paper and poster presentations by scholars and professionals from any discipline including but not limited to economics, finance, management, law, political science, international relations, environment, sociology, information science, education, media, liberal arts, language and cultural studies. PhD students are also encouraged to take part.
ELEVENTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
BORDERS: IMAGINED OR REAL
Welcome to the 11th annual international conference on European Integration
BORDERS, IMAGINED AND REAL
Skopje, Thursday 26 May 2016
The major goal of the conference is to take an in-depth examination of the concepts of borders and boundaries, as well as the acts of crossing them. This conference will especially seek to explore the development and growth of real or imagined borders which through the years have demonstrated to have strong presence and impact on societies, their development and growth. With this academic conference we seek to raise awareness of the importance of the study of borders, whether they are territorial or policy-driven, by looking into their dynamic structures and elements. The aim of this conference will be also to explore new and alternative scenarios of shaping and visualization of borders versus the concept of European integration from a critical and forward looking perspective.
Major issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
- Old and new borders on the European continent: trends of secession and integration
- Challenges to regional, cross-border and trans-border cooperation in Europe
- Open vs. closed borders: free movement, migration control, and the future of the Schengen Agreement
- Border security and management
- Dealing with social, ethnic, linguistic and religious boundaries within Europe
- Overcoming the digital divide
- Education without borders: transnational exchange and mobility programs
- Economic boundaries in the age of globalization
- Historical, philosophical and cultural perspectives on the concept of borders
For centuries the influence and ideas coming from the academia had been shaping the world. We look forward to your participation in the one-day conference in Skopje on 26 May, 2016. Join the number of scholars and professionals who will offer their thought-provoking visions and responses to the contemporary challenges that we face.
DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE VOLUME:
UACS 2016 Conference volume Borders Imagined or Real
EUROPEAN INTEGRATION-NEW PROSPECTS
Welcome to the 10th annual international conference on European Integration
EUROPEAN INTEGRATION – NEW PROSPECTS
Skopje, Thursday 21 May 2015
The major goal of the conference is to take an in-depth look into the state of affairs concerning the vital layers of European architecture. This conference will especially seek to explore new and alternative prospects of European integration from a critical and forward looking perspective – one that goes beyond the stalemate in the internal debate and the controversies over the future enlargement. As a host institution, UACS aims to emphasize that academia might catalyze an adequate response to the challenges of re-establishing the European Union as a role model not only for the nations on the continent.
Major issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
- Achieving economic growth, creating jobs, building social cohesion
- Refugee and migration challenges: open societies or Fortress Europe
- Secessionism within the EU
- Freezing the enlargement process – a solution or additional problem?
- Digital tools for achieving political participation and social equality
- European education: challenges to the Bologna process
- The growing importance of cities as engines of economic, regional and territorial development
Click here to download Conference Narrative Report.
Click here to download Conference Program.
Click here to download Book of Abstracts.
Click here to download 2015 Conference Volume.
NINTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
EUROPE OF TOMORROW: CREATIVE, DIGITAL, INTEGRATED
Welcome to the 9th annual international academic conference on European integration
THE EUROPE OF TOMORROW: CREATIVE, DIGITAL, INTEGRATED
Thursday 15 May 2014
This inter- and multi-disciplinary one-day conference seeks to explore potential vistas for building a strong European Union – one that capitalizes on creativity, innovation and digital technologies while strengthening its core political values of freedom, solidarity and integration.
Major issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
CREATIVE:
• Investments in the cultural and creative sectors significantly contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation and social cohesion.
DIGITAL:
• The use of information communication technologies (ICTs) could help reduce the negative impact on the environment, contribute to productivity growth, jobs and competitiveness, and overall improve social inclusion.
INTEGRATED:
• European commitment to the EU future of Western Balkan states
• Internal problems of consolidation following the adoption of the Lisbon treaty and the European financial crisis
• Bridging the North-South divide within Europe
• Developing the European Neighborhood Policy in times of Eurosceptic critique of democratic deficiency
• Economic, political, regional and migration issues concerning the future of European integration
• Strengthening freedom, security and justice in Europe
Click here to download Conference Narrative Report.
Click here to download Conference Program.
Click here to download Book of Abstracts.
Click here to download the 2014 Conference Volume
OUT OF THE CRISIS: EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICIES RECONSIDERED
- Austerity or Growth Union?
- How to amend state structures to sustain economic growth in Europe?
- Scientific and technological achievements, renewable energy sources and sustainable growth
- How to save the euro, or the EU without the euro?
- Synergy of competitive capitalism and the welfare state: setting an integrated socio-economic agenda
The times of crisis have always presented a chance for the academic world to offer constructive response so as to catalyze positive change.
Click here to download the 2013 Conference Volume
• Europe more deeply integrated in a political, economic and financial areas as a solution to the debt and Euro crises or revival of economic nationalisms on the continent;
• Improving higher educational policies and creation of a knowledge society in order to cope with the global competition;
• Re-shaping of supra-national European institutions, reducing their democratic deficit and consequently containing Euro-skepticism;
• Making multicultural practices an asset, not an obstacle towards building more inclusive communities;
The times of crisis have always presented a chance for the brightest to offer the vision and ideas for the better globe. Truly believing that the academic world should spearhead the overall efforts in building more prosperous Europe, we are looking forward to your participation in the one-day program of the conference in Skopje on 17 May 2012.
SIXTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
The aim of our conference is to explore the idea of the European Union as a global power. A single market and harmonized legal system have been considered key achievements of the pan-European project for decades. The underlying assumption of the conference is that the time has come for the EU to go a step further – that it must construct a sense of shared values and political identity, if it wants to sustain global relevance. What sort of identity should this be? As a host institution, we aim to emphasize that academia can catalyze an adequate response to this challenge.
Major issues to be addressed include:
its internal cohesion and emerge as a global power?
integration model in its vital dimensions?
total war to perpetual peace. How do the Balkans fit into that? We are looking forward to your participation in the one-day program of the conference in Skopje on 19 May 2011. We believe that ideas and expertise are shaping the free world. A number of intellectually courageous scholars coming to Skopje will offer their thought-provoking visions for the outstanding challenges we face.
UACS Conference Papers: McGaffey, David. ‘New States, Old Problems.’ UACS working paper, 2011.
Dr. Stevo Pendarovski, University American College Skopje
Organizing Committee
Dr. Ivan Dodovski
FIFTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
The aim of the conference was to deliberate on the future of the EU after the Treaty of Lisbon. The adoption of this act has raised hopes as well as concerns as to whether the EU will emerge as a stronger, more cohesive and more effective player, both inwardly and outwardly. In this regard, the debate was illustrated by variety of concepts, theoretical perspectives as well as empirical studies that reflected upon these issues. The conference recognized the Lisbon Treaty’s fundamental value in the structure of 21st century Europe and its role in the globalized world. The Treaty in this context has introduced a variety of actors and mechanisms which enhance the prospects of the EU and its CFSP. Notably, the extent to which a delicate balance of interests and visions between these common actors and the EU member states is found regarding sovereignty will determine the integrative and policy relevance of the Lisbon Treaty. This is best seen in the case of the Balkans. As the further integration of the region is more or less an interest of all EU members than the post-Lisbon CFSP can play leading role in these processes. Conforming to this, the baroness Ashton has recently given impetus to this process. Speaking in a normative, but hopefully not idealistic, fashion, she stressed: “the Balkans is the birthplace of EU foreign policy. More than anywhere else, it is where we cannot afford to fail”.
Click here to download Europe after the Lisbon Treaty: Conference Proceedings.
Click here to download narrative report.
Click here to download Conference Program.
Click here to download Book of Abstracts.
Organizing Committee
FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
The aim of the conference was to emphasize and explore the contribution that academia can make to catalyse an adequate response to the crisis. It started with determining first the nature of the crisis in which Europe was in 2009 and identifying possible overseen warnings as a tool to predict and prevent similar crisis in the future. The outcome of the crisis, not being clear at all, caused experts to take sides and communicate optimistic and pessimistic views for the end of 2010 and beyond. So, possible scenarios were discussed ranging from a worse case scenario-protectionism to following risk-averse industries and their governance models with a common conclusion that there is no universal solution. In this conference however, the crisis was given a local and domestic context discussing the case of Macedonia and the Balkans. Experts from eight countries expressed their views as well as relevant professionals who gave the opening speech at the conference: Mr. Ivica Bocevski, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, His Excellency Mr. Bernard Valero, French Ambassador to Macedonia and Mr. Juan Carlos Fernandez Zara, Regional Program Manager of IFC Corporate Governance Program in Southern Europe.
Click here to download Europe in Crisis – Threats and Opportunities: Conference Proceedings.
Click here to download Conference Program.
Click here to download Book of Abstracts.
Organizing Committee
Dr. Ivan Dodovski
Click here to download Globalization of the Region – EU Perspectives as a Challenge: Conference Program.
Click here to download Book of Abstracts.
Organizing Committee
Click here to download Bringing Europe in: Different Mechanisms of Europeanization Treaty: Conference Proceedings.
Click here to download Conference Program.