Complex Nations and Europe: New Challenges, New Opportunities

In cooperation with the University of Minho, University of Santiago de Compostela, CICP – Research Centre in Political Science, Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia, Grupo ANTE (Grupo de Investigación de Análise Territorial), Centre Maurits Coppieters will convene a conference entitled “Complex Nations and Europe: New Challenges, New Opportunities” on the 18 and 19 of April 2016 in Braga, Portugal and Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, respectively. The aim of the conference is to discuss the possibilities of constitutional, territorial and cross-border political solutions for complex nations and regions in Europe to cope with internal and external challenges in a changing political context.

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Program & Key Note Speakers

Day 1 – 18 April  – University of Minho

9:30 – 10:00 Opening remarks: 

• Manuel Rocha Armada,President of the School of Economics and Management of the University of Minho (EEG),
• Xabier Macias, the President of Centre Maurits Coppieters (CMC),
• Sílvia Camões and the Director of the Research Center in Political Science (CICP),

10:00-11:15 Between Independence and Interdependence: What Constitutional Options for the UK? – John Loughlin,

• Director John Loughlin, Director at Von Hugel Institute at Cambridge University
  Alan Sandry, Fellow of the European Institute of Identities at Swansea University

11:30-13:00 Between Independence and Interdependence: What Constitutional Options for Spain?

• Rúben Lois, Professor at the University of Santiago of Compostela
  Anwen Elias, Reader in Comparative Politics at the University of Aberystwyth

14:30-15:30 On the Verge of Political Independence: Devising New Territorial Strategies in Europe I

• Malcolm Harvey, Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen
  Elin Royles, Lecturer at the University of Aberystwyth

15:45-17:30 On the Verge of Political Independence: Devising New Territorial Strategies in Europe II

• Josu Juaristi Abaunz, Member of the European Parliament, EH BILDU
  Isidre Sala, President of the Esquerra Republicana Commission on EU and International Politics
  Luis Moreno, Spanish National Research Council

Day 2 – 19 April – University of Santiago de Compostela

9:30-10:00 Opening remarks:

• José Pereira Fariña, Vice-rector for Communication and Coordination of the University of Santiago de Compostela,
• Xosé Lago, the Secretary of the GNPEGTC
• Alan Sandry the Vice-President of Centre Maurits Coppieters (CMC)

10:00-10:45 Territorial and Cross-Border Cooperation in Europe: An Overview

• Martín Guillermo, General Secretary of the Association of European Border Regions

10:45-11:45 Nations without State and Paradiplomacy: Towards a New Model of Europe? I

• John Loughlin, Director at Von Hugel Institute at Cambridge University
  Alan Sandry, Fellow of the European Institute of Identities at Swansea University

12:15-13:00 Shaping the Territory in Catalonia, Scotland, and Flanders. Devolution, Spatial Planning and Territorial Politics in Contested European States

• Claire Colomb, Reader in Planning and Urban Sociology, The Bartlett School of Planning at the University College of London

15:30-16:30 Nations without State and Paradiplomacy: Towards a New Model of Europe? II

• Ramón Maiz, Professor at the USC, Director of the Political Analysis Group
  Sandrina Antunes, Lecturer, Vice-director of CICP, University of Minho

16:30-18:00 Spatial Planning and Territorial Cooperation: Overcoming Boundaries, Joining Nations? A Perspective from Politicians and Practitioners

• Mikel Antón, Director of European Affairs, Basque Government
  Joaquín A. Palacín, General Director for Spatial Planning, Government of Aragon
  Rafael Giménez-Capdevila, Government of Catalonia, General Directorate for Foreign Affairs
  Uxío Benítez, Responsible for Mobility and Cross-Border Cooperation, Deputación of Pontevedra

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Download the easy to print Program – “Stateless Nations and Europe: New Challenges, New Opportunities” – 18 and 19 April 2016 here.

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Practicalities

Day 1

When: 18 April 2016 – 09:00 ~ 17:30 (Lunch break: Restaurant “Panorâmico” at the University of Minho)

Where: University of Minho, Department of International Relations and Public Administration (EEG), Amphitheatre 1.01, Campus of Gualtar, Braga

Day 2

When: 19 April 2016 – 09:00 ~ 18:30

Where: University of Santiago de Compostela, Facultade de Xeografía e Historia, Paraninfo, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

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Registration

Do you plan to attend? Please register here. No registration fees.

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Press

Media inquiries can be addressed to info@ideasforeurope.eu or via Twitter @IdeasForEurope

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This Conference is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the conference or the opinions of the speakers.

This conference is an initiative of the Centre Maurits Coppieters, the University of Minho and the Universty of Santiago de Compostela