UACS Conference: "Rethinking Migration, Economic Growth and Solidarity in Europe"

I am grateful that my friend Tanja Tomic introduced me to political science professor Marina Andeva of the University American College Skopje.  Prof. Andeva has welcomed me to the campus and introduced me to colleagues.  Earlier this semester, I delivered a guest lecture at the UACS (see jainmacedonia.blogspot.mk/2017/03/skopje-guest-lecture-university.html) And yesterday, I returned for the

12th Annual International Conference on European Integration:
Rethinking Migration, Economic Growth and Solidarity in Europe

to present a poster as a part of the track on "Youth Programs and Transnational Educational Exchange" -- "Cultivating Global Citizenship in Higher Education: Internationalizing the Curriculum by Developing Collaborative Learning Partnerships."

The conference was opened with an address by the Dean of the UACS School of Political Science - Prof. Dr. Ivan Dodovski.  The Dean provided an overview of the theme of the conference - and the panels devoted to reflecting critically on issues related to the prolonged economic stagnation, problems with migration, and, what is truly at stake in Europe (particularly since "Brexit") - solidarity.

His Excellency Samuel Zbogar, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Macedonia, further reflected on the need for unity in Europe.  (The 9th of May is the Day of Europe, and during the month of May there are a number of events celebrating the EU and the mission of the EU.) He discussed the history of the EU project -- and current challenges post-Brexit, migration, terrorism and security.

The Keynote Speaker was His Excellency Prof. Dr. Ivo Josipovic, the 3rd President of the Republic of Croatia. President Josipovic discussed the "Foreign Policy of Croatia" -- new challenges after accession to the EU and Croatia's policy toward the region (including detailed discussion of the unresolved issues and priorities related to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia).  As it relates to Macedonia, there are no unresolved issues, and Croatia is supporting Macedonia's goal of EU accession (using its constitutional name). 

This was the second time in 2 weeks that I was able to learn from a leader from Croatia.  (Last week I heard from Judge Ranko Marjan of the Supreme Court of Croatia, former President of the Judicial Council of Croatia: http://jainmacedonia.blogspot.mk/2017/05/institute-for-human-rights-second.html)  The experience of Croatia, a fellow former member state of Yugoslavia, now member of NATO (since 2009) and the EU (since 2013), seems particularly valuable here in Macedonia.

vesti.mk news coverage from the event:
http://vesti.mk/read/news/13188495/4543430/12-ta-megjunarodna-akademska-konferencija-za-evropski-integracii-na-tema-preispituvanje-na-migraciite-ekonomskiot-razvoj-i-solidarnosta-vo-evropa

with President Josipovic

with my poster

Dean Dodovski opens the conference

H.E. Samuel Zbogar, Head of the Delegation of the EU to Macdonia

President Ivo Josipovic

the view from the cafe on the 4th floor of UACS, where we enjoyed our coffee break

discussing my project with Prof Marina Andeva

Prof Robert Hudson, presented during Working Session I

At the registration tables there were copies of previous years conference proceedings. Not surprisingly, I recognized some of the authors, such as

Natalija Shikova, "Internal Aspects of the Right of Self-Determination: An Alternative to Seccession"

Natasha Gaber-Damjanovska, "The Constitutional Principle of Voting Equality Viewed through EU Standards -- the Case of the Ex-Patriot Vote"

For more about the conference, see
http://www.uacs.edu.mk/home/conference/