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Italy and the European Union

MODULE 1: Italy and the European Union, Bruxelles, July 9th to 13th, 2012

The purpose of this week-long seminar is provide an in-depth, comprehensive analysis of how Italy relates to the European Union in order to provide participants with an in depth knowledge of the whos and hows of Italy’s action within the European Union. The seminar will have a hands-on practical approach, alternating lectures with meetings with the top Italian and European public servants, diplomats and governmental actors. The teaching format will see the alternation of front teaching, round tables and visits to the EU institutions and the Italian Institutions in Bruxelles.

Content of the Classes

The seminar will focus on themes such as:

Actors and procedures (formal and informal): relevant variables in defining Italy’s interests and national positions. How are national interests defined in Italy? Who are the relevant actors? What procedures are followed (formal and informal)? How are national positions defended?

Interests, aims and strategies. Which are Italy’s main interests, aims and objectives in EU policymaking? How much have these changed over the years? Which are the strategies employed to pursue them?

Impact. What is the outcome of Italy’s action in the EU? How has Italy’s action affected “high” and “low” politics in the EU? What is the future of Italy in the European Union and in the EMU?

Among the classes / round tables that will take place:

Italy’s relations with the European Communities and Union in a historical prospective

The Italian executive and European affairs (the different actors dealing with EU issues in the government; inter-ministerial and intra-ministerial coordination, etc.)

The Italian Public Administration presence in Bruxelles

The Italian Parliament and European affairs

The transposition of EU law into national law and its prospective of reforms

Italy in the European Parliament

Italians working for the EU Institutions: challenges and opportunities

The elaboration of the national positions to be promoted in the European Institutions

Key issues for Italy in EU negotiations today

The Economic crises, the Euro and Southern Europe

The Italian Regions and the EU

The Italian Socio-economic interests in Bruxelles

The peculiarities of the Italian socio-economic system and the representation of Italian economic interests in Bruxelles

Covering the EU: Italian media strategies in Brussels

The scientific director of the summer school is Professor Federiga Bindi, a leading international expert in EU Foreign Policy and Transatlantic Relations and author, among others, of The Foreign Policy of the European Union (Brookings Press 2010, 2nd edition due in the spring 2012), Italy and the EU (Brookings Press 2011) and The Frontiers of Europe. The Transatlantic Implications of an Enlarged Europe (with Irina Angelescu, Brookings Press 2011). Top international practitioners and academics will alternate in interactive sessions with the participants as in the best tradition of the Rome Jean Monnet summer seminars.

Teaching hours and credits

The seminar will have 30 contact hours, for an equivalent of 4 ECTS / 2 US credits.