Summer University for democracy
|
Since 2006, the Council of Europe has held an annual Summer University to increase the visibility of the programme of Schools of Political Studies and forge stronger ties between participants from the various schools. The event is attended by all the participants of the schools of political studies (over 600 every year). It provides an opportunity to discuss common problems, to organise bilateral and regional dialogue, to listen to prominent European and international figures and to meet many experts from Europe and other parts of the world. |
 |
Eminent guest speakers
Distinguished speakers invited to address the Summer University include, in chronological order, Boris Tadic, the President of Serbia; Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (alumnus of the Moscow School of Political Studies); Milan Kucan, former President of Slovenia; Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada; Goran Svilanovic, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia; Oliver Dulic, former President of the Parliament of Serbia (alumnus of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence); Adrian Severin, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania (founder of the Bucharest “Ovidiu S‚ incai” European School); John Hume, Nobel Peace Prize-winner; Alexander Milinkevic, winner of the Sakharov Prize; George Soros, President of the Open Society Foundation; Jacques Paul Klein, former Under Secretary General of the United Nations; Catherine Lalumière, former Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Jean-Paul Costa, President of the European Court of Human Rights; Filip Vujanovic, President of Montenegro; Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner; Egor Gaydar, former Prime Minister of the Russian Federation; Danilo Turk, President of Slovenia; Michel Rocard, former Prime Minister of France; Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of Romania...
The programme
|
Each Summer University focuses on a general theme: in 2006 – Challenges to democracy in today’s Europe; in 2007 – The future of the European project; in 2008 – Governance, power and democracy and in 2009 – Global challenges to democracy. The Summer University discusses the general theme at plenary sessions, examines topics of specific interest at conferences, holds workshops using participative methods and runs discussion periods providing opportunities for bilateral and regional exchanges. The programme also includes a visit to the European Court of Human Rights during which participants meet the judge from their country. |
 |
The Summer University for Democracy programme is drawn up in close co- operation with partners which include Strasbourg University, the French National School of Administration (ENA) and the local authorities: the City of Strasbourg, Département du Bas-Rhin and the Région Alsace. France, the Council of Europe’s host country, makes a financial contribution to the Summer University.
Working towards a Strasbourg International Forum for Democracy
The Council of Europe is looking into the future of the Summer University for Democracy, which could develop into a larger event, supported by the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe and the European Parliament. It would bring together each year in Strasbourg, not only the participants of the Schools of Political Studies programme, but also leaders, experts and international stakeholders in areas relating to development and democratic security.
The Summer University could gradually open up to participants from countries which are not members of the Network, including non-European countries, to achieve increased synergies and foster the creation of a worldwide network. It has the potential to develop into a much larger, international event, on the scale of the Davos World Economic Forum and with a focus on the themes promoted by the Schools of Political Studies Network.
The Institute of Political Studies (Institut d’études politiques) of the University of Strasbourg, the French National School of Administration (Ecole Nationale d’Administration) and local authorities will be involved in the implementation of this ambitious project. The City of Strasbourg has already confirmed its commitment to the Council of Europe by signing a partnership agreement which includes support for the organisation of future Summer Universities for Democracy.
