Welcome to a conference that Mid Sweden University is organizing in collaboration with The Swedish Network for European Studies (SNES). This years theme is "The EU and the (constant?) crises – from political problem to policy collaboration".
The EU and the (constant?) crises – from political problem to policy collaboration
24-25 march 2022
Over the past decades the European integration process has been characterized by a seemingly endless string of crises; ranging from the Eurozone crisis to climate change. Some of these are external in origin, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, while others are much more EU internal, like Brexit. While some are more contested than others – should we for example even refer to the migration situation as a crisis for the EU? – all have become politicized to some extent. The pandemic has raised issues about the relationship between both the member states, and the states and their citizens. Brexit has caused discussions about what path of future European integration, but not as of yet inspired other countries to leave the union.
These ever-present crises are both a challenge and an opportunity for actors within the European political systems. It is often said that European integration develops as a result of challenges. The empty chair crisis in the 1960s paved the way for institutional reforms and it seems likely that the aftermath of the pandemic will be characterized by further integration in the health sector, to name but two examples. On the other hand, crisis narratives often prove helpful to populist actors who use it to cast doubt on both the EU project and the politics of national elites.
It should also not be forgotten that the EU is an important arena for policy collaboration in the area of crisis management, personified by headlines about Polish firefighters helping during the Swedish forest fires in 2018 but also by the debates over vaccine procurement during the pandemic.
The conference draws attention to these many aspects of European integration and crises. How is the EU strengthened or challenged? What are the consequences of so many political issues being described in crisis narratives? What has this long period of near constant crisis meant for the European crisis management system?
The organizers welcome papers on the topic of EU and crises, as well as on any other topic related to the EU or European politics.
Program
Here you will find the conference program. Complete information about timeschedule, conference rooms and sessions can be found in the pdf file below.
Thursday March 24
12-13.15 Arrival and lunch. SNES board meeting
13.15-15.00 Paper session A and B
15.00-15.30 Coffee break
15.30-17.30 Keynote speaker Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor, European University Institute
19.00 Conference Dinner, Stadshuset
Friday March 25
09.30-12.00 Paper session C and D
10.30-11.00 Coffee Break
10.45-12.00 Paper session
12.00 Lunch-to-go
Contact
