– understand the EU decision-making process and how the EU works;
– identify where the decisions are really made in Brussels;
– understand how to influence the EU institutions;
– understand the historical origins, different methods of economic integration, enlargement and future development of the EU;
– develop the skills and ethics needed for effective business negotiation within an enlarged EU
The treaties and the spirit of the EU.
The origins of the EU and the objectives of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community. Different methods of economic integration: free trade area; customs union; single market; Economic and Monetary Union. Treaty reforms: Single European Act; Treaty on European Union; (Amsterdam Treaty; Nice Treaty; Constitutional Treaty); Lisbon Treaty.
Overview of the main institutions and the decision-making process.
How the European Commission, Council, and European Parliament operate and fit together. How to influence the EU institutions: ethics, lobbying exercise and lobbying tips. Using critical thinking and gathering knowledge and resources to make change happen.
The future of Europe, EU enlargement and institutional evolution.
Development of different groups of EU policy areas. Forms of integration: intergovernmental, neofunctional (Community method), federal. Recent and future EU enlargement; Copenhagen criteria; candidate countries. Future development of the EU
Negotiation exercise: negotiating soft skills.
Preparing for a negotiation and establishing your position; presentational tips; procedural points. Two rounds of negotiating. Debrief and reinforcement of key learning points to cover: roles of Presidency, EP, Commission; lobbying; ethics; coordination; operating in an enlarged EU.
