MULTIEU

Jean Monnet Chair “The changing perspective of the European integration process in the Multi-Speed European Union", nr 553533-EPP-1-2014-1-PL-EPPJMO-CHAIR, 1.10.2014-30.09.2017, project funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme, , carried out at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland and led by Prof. Zbigniew Czachór.

Key staff

About project

The MULTIEU project with the chair „The changing perspective of the European integration process in the Multi-Speed European Union” aims to put in evidence the changing reality of the European Integration process through the developments of the multi – speed European Union and engage students and other recipients of courses and other forms of implementing the project to joint analysis of the changing reality of the process of European integration. Change analyzed in MULTIEU refers to the emergence of increasingly multi-speed European Union. For many years, a multi-speed Europe was only a theoretical concept, sometimes only manifested in the form of opt-outs. The crisis and the current post-crisis reality brought about very clearly the emergence of the multi-speed EU. In addition, the proposed reforms indicate a deepening of the that differentiated integration. Therefore, it is necessary to equip young people, mostly students and other recipients of the project, in the tools to navigate in this new emerging reality of the European integration process.

During the courses the students will have the opportunity to analyze in depth the emerging of different circles of states engaged in various cooperation on the EU level and what is even more important, the consequences of multi – speed Europe for states, institutions and citizens. The essential knowledge on the emerging multi – speed European Union will help students to understand that differentiated integration is  chance to develop the European Union and members States and give them avenues for further studies

In particular the module will address: AMU students, including students who do not come into contact with European Integration studies; AMU academic staff; citizens in general with a cycle of conferences. The project’s outputs will include publications, research „The European Union in new post- crisis reality", events, project leaflet and bulletins available on the AMU web page, dedicated to Jean Monnet MULTIEU Chair. The project will have an immediate impact on the students of different faculties, which will benefit from high-quality training on the role of EU. The long-term impact will concern the students future studies and research in the domain as well as their employment possibilities (the knowledge of EU and its policies is essential for building their professional career in European and International organisations).
The formula of full openness of all courses and accompanying events used in the project will allow to disseminate studies of the European Union. Due to the publication planned in English, it will be possible to contribute to the development of the field at the international level. The chair holder with staff members will ensure the access to MULTIEU Chair to students from different faculties including ones which do not come directly in contact with European Integration studies, by active promotion of the courses within the university. By issuing publications, and organizing national and international conferences will be possible to make a contribution to the development of the proposed topic in the national and international level. This will be certainly the added value of MULTIEU. There Besides above mentioned activities the dissemination of the Chair will include: Jean Monnet MULTIEU Chair web page, leaflets, bulletins and events e.g. debates will the local community. MULTIEU will increase visibility of the European Union studies at the AMU. Using open access to all MULTIEU activities will allow to promote the EU studies among students and lectures from all faculties. Because of the close cooperation with secondary schools form Wielkopolska region e.g. Oxford debates and School European Clubs, our activities will influence wider range of recipients.

Lectures

  • Theoretical concepts of differentiated integration
The basis for the analysis of the emerging multi-speed European Union have to be equipping students with the knowledge of the historical and theoretical concepts concerning the differentiated integration of over a number of years of European integration. Chair holder and his team are aware of the conceptual differences in the terms used in the analyzed phenomenon . Therefore, it is necessary to carefully introduce students to the discussed issues , so that they were able to understand the currently emerging multi-speed Europe . Then research team will present historical concepts appearing on the European integration process, e.g.: Europe of two speeds, Europe a la carte, concentrated circles, etc. It will be the reasons underlying sources of the proposed solutions. At the end, those concepts will be referred to the contemporary European Union.
  • Reconstruction / deconstruction of the European Union during the financial and economic crisis
Reform of economic governance in the European Union that are the result of financial and economic crisis has led to major reforms in the institutional system of the European Union. During the course will be presented on the issue of a six-pack, as the first fundamental change in the fight against the crisis. Another key element for the proper understanding of the emerging multi-speed EU will  be analyzing the formation and strengthening of the autonomous institutional structures of the euro zone. It is a division of the Member States, which now brings the biggest challenges for the functioning of the European Union. It is crucial to understand the problems of direction and dynamics of changes in the European integration process. What should be emphasized currently we are still not able identify all consequences of introduced reforms.
  • The emergence of multi-speed European Union
As a result of the crisis and other social problems in the Member States, we see the opposite trend in the European Union. On the one hand there are countries such as Germany and France, which aim to strengthen the supranational elements in the construction of the European Union. They propose new solutions to reinforce collaboration, such as joint even economic government for the euro or euro bonds. On the other hand, there are states like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, which grew louder in favour of leaving the European Union. Alternatively leverage their remains from the limits on the powers of the European Union. So, as we see a multi-speed Europe is an undeniable fact.
  • The consequences of the differential integration from the perspectives of the Member States and EU citizens
The course will be presented now occurring forms of multi-speed Europe, with particular emphasis on Polish positions in the various circles of European integration. The most important part of the course will, however, refer to the effects of existing multi-speed Europe. Will examine what factors influence the Member States to decide on the participation or not in a particular integration project. The change of the political position of the Member States related to the resignation of participating in more advanced integration projects will also be analyzed.
Classes will be complemented by an analysis of case – study, which in a practical manner will enable students to understand the choices of Member States. During the discussed case – study emphasis will be put on show the correlation occurring between the decisions of the Member States, and the position of its citizens.

Publication

Zbigniew Chachór, Beata Przybylska-Maszner, Adam Jaskólski, The changing perspectiove of the European integration process in the Multi-Speed European Union, Faculty of Political Sciences and Journalism, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań 2017.
Contents:Książka_MULTIEU
  • Introduction,
  • Zbigniew Czachór, European Union enlargement strategy and a ‘multi-speed Europe’. From modernist institutionalism to critical theory and postmodern colonialism,
  • Adam Jaskulski, The European Union’s Enlargement Policy vis-a-vis Building a Multi-speed Europe,
  • Beata Przybylska-Maszner, The consequences of the European Union’s Enlargement in 2004 – the limits of the “deeper and wider” concept,
  • Bibliography.