NETWORKING FOR CITIZENS AND NEIGHBOURS –
NETWORKING FOR EUROPE

project under the PHARE – Civil Society Programme 2004

Duration: 18 months (from 1^st December 2006 until 31^st May 2008)

Coordinator: Krassimir Nikolov, BECSA Secretary General

Partner: Trans-European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) / Belgium

Summary: If you want to read the project`s concept note, click here.

Structure of the project: The 11 project activities are organized in 3 blocks: block I “Citizens` Europe”, block II “Caring for Our Neighbourhood”, block III “Network Building”. Within block I and block II debating circles will be set up on the two respective topics, with 4 sessions planned to take place in Bulgaria; 4 public lectures of Bulgarian speakers in the same thematic fields will be held at TEPSA member institutes; and two international conferences will be organized in Sofia. Within block III BECSA representatives will take part in TEPSA conferences, and there will be a promotional event of BECSA publications at TEPSA. An information brochure that presents the TEPSA network to the Bulgarian audience will be issued in the framework of the project as well.

Project activities with BECSA’s participation:

19 April 2007 - Discussion in Veliko Tarnovo on "First European Parliament Elections: Citizens' Attitudes and Identities" with the participation of Dr Jan Karlash from the Institute of International Relations in Prague - a member of TEPSA. The event is organised in cooperation with the European Information Centre in Veliko Tarnovo and the Veliko Tarnovo University "St. St. Kiril and Metodii". (programme of the discussion)

4 May 2007 - Discussion in Sofia on topic "The Future of the Constitutional Treaty for Europe" with the participation of Dr Brandon Donnelly, Director of the Federal Trust - London - member of TEPSA. The event is organised in cooperation with Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and New Bulgarian University. (programme of the discussion)

19 May 2007 - Discussion in Sofia on topic "European Neighbourhood Policy" with the participation of Dr Andreas Kasekamp, Director of the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute - a member of TEPSA. The event is organised as part of the conference of "International Relations" Chair at the University for National and World Economy on topic "Membership in the EU and NATO: Lessons for Bulgaria". (programme of the conference)

8-9 June 2007 - Conference in Varna on the theme "Bulgaria's Participation in the Common Foreign Policy and the Neighbourhood Policy of the European Union: Opportunities and Challenges" in the framework of the Annual Academic Forum "Geopolitical and Maritime-Law-Related Aspects of International Relations", organized by BECSA in cooperation with the Professional Domaine "Political Science" of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" (programme of the conference).

21 June 2007 - Discussion in Prague on the topic "Bulgaria after the EU Accession: First European Parliament Elections" with the participation of Dr Rumiana Kolarova, Jean Monnet Lecturer in europan Policy at the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and BECSA member. The event is organised by the Institute of International Relations in Prague - member of TEPSA, in cooperation with BECSA. (programme of the discussion)

22 June 2007 - Discussion in London on the theme "BULGARIA AFTER THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS" with the participation of Katia Hristova-Valtcheva, BECSA Board member & Jean Monnet lecturer at the New Bulgarian University (topic: "New Europe within the EU" The Bulgarian Example"), and Dr. Rumyana Kolarova, BECSA member & Jean Monnet lecturer at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (topic: "The Bulgarian European Elections and their impact on the European Parliament"). The event is organized by the Federal Trust for Education and Research - member of TEPSA, in cooperation with BECSA.

1 October 2007 - Discussion in Tallinn on the theme "Bulgaria as an EU Foreign Policy Player: Role in the Western Balkans and in the Eastern Neighbourhood", with the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinko Dinkov, BECSA president & Jean Monnet lecturer at the University for National and World Economy, and Krassimir Nikolov, BECSA secretary general & Jean Monnet chair holder at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar". The event is organized by the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute - member of TEPSA, jointly with BECSA (programme of the discussion).

7 December 2007 - Conference in Sofia on the topic "THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY: TIME TO DELIVER" organized by BECSA in cooperation with TEPSA (programme).

14 December 2007 - Conference in Sofia on the topic "CITIZENS' EUROPE? REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE REFORM TREATY" organzed by BECSA in cooperation with TEPSA (programme).

29-30 May 2008 - Conference in Brussels on the topic "Bulgaria's Integration in EU Politics and Policy: Focus on the Citizens and Neighbours" organized by TEPSA in cooperation with BECSA (programme).

30 May 2008 - Presentation in Brussels of the books "Citizens' Europe? Reflection on the Implications of the Lisbon Treaty" (volume structure and list of contributors) and "The European Neighbourhood Policy: Time to Deliver" (volume structure and list of contributors) published by BECSA in cooperation with TEPSA within the project.