First presence workshop of the EUCAIS online master programme
From 29 August to 4 September 2010 the first presence workshop of the EUCAIS online master programme took place in Berlin. The 32 participants of the first class of EUCAIS (2010–2012) arrived from their country of origin (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and the Chinese Province of Xinjiang) and stayed for a one-week seminar at the Institut für Europäische Politik and Centre international de formation européenne in Wilmersdorf.
After the opening ceremony which took place at the European Commission Representation in Germany and was introduced by Ms Barbara Steffner, Head of the Political Department, the three courses of the first semester started:
1. History: “EU-Integration and European Central Asian Relations in a Changing World”; Prof. Dr. Hartmut MARHOLD, General Director, CIFE, Nice/Berlin
2. Politics: “Instititutions, Decision-making and Core Policies in the External Action of the EU”; Prof. Dr. Wolfgang WESSELS, Jean Monnet Chair ad personam, University of Cologne
3. Economy: “Challenges and Trends of World Economy: Implications for the EU and Central Asia”; Prof. Dr. Wim KÖSTERS, University of Bochum/ Member of the Executive Board, Rhine-Westfalia Institute for Economic Research and Prof. Dr. Ansgar BELKE, University of Essen/ Research Director, DIW
The programme of this first presence workshop was completed by a visit to the German parliament building as well as a guided city tour to the historical Berlin and museums of the museum’s island.
After a fulfilling week of impressions, new friendships and interesting seminars, the EUCAIS participants returned to their home towns, anticipating their next gathering in the context of the second Berlin workshop that will be held in January 2011.