Date:

6 February 2013 14:00 - 17:30

Venue:

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Campus Etterbeek (Room E0.06)

Campus map:

http://www.vub.ac.be/image/2brussel_large.jpg

http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infoabout/campuses/etterbeek.html

Language:

English

In recent years the European Union has experienced many big changes in political, economic and social dimensions, such as Arab spring and influx of refugees from north Africa, serious events concerning Islamism in Norway or France, provoking discussions about immigrant policy and Schengen framework, and Euro and financial crisis, bringing about changes of government in Italy, Spain, Greece and France. In the circumstances, do EU countries maintain the Union itself as their top priority, or shut themselves in state sovereignty? And what change has been made in the European identity?

This workshop will put focus on especially the situation of the European identity in this context, on regarding impact by Arab spring to the EU and roles of social media in the EU and influences of the changes around the Union to its external relations (with the Mediterranean and Japan).

Program

[Speakers] 14:00 - 15:20

Prof. Kolja Raube, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
"From Crisis to Integration?
 – European Diversity and Identity, Transnationalism, and Institutional Change"

Prof. Saito Tsuyoshi, Kobe University
"Political Change in north Africa and its spread to Europe"

Prof. Murao Hajime, Kobe University
"Role of Social Media and European Identity"

Prof. Noemi Lanna, Università degli Studi di Napoli L'Orientale
"What crisis? Japan, EU and Political Change in North Africa"

<20min. break>

[Discussants] 15:40 - 16:20

Prof. Nishida Takeshi, Kobe University

Dr. Matsui Shinnosuke, Kobe University

Prof. Dimitri Vanoverbeke, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Prof. Iwamoto Kazuko, Kobe University

<Discussion 16:20-17:30>

[Chair]

Prof. Sakai Kazunari, Kobe University