EIUC Voice n° 11 - May 2010

N°11 – May 2010
AMARTYA SEN AT THE EIUC VENICE ACADEMY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
by Knut Traisbach, EIUC Project Responsible
From 12-17 July 2010, the inaugural session
of EIUC’s Venice Academy of Human Rights
will take place in the monastery of San
Nicolò in Venice Lido (Italy).
The inaugural session will focus on
sovereignty and development as two
overarching themes, which will be addressed
from the angles of economics, philosophy,
law and international relations theory.
The distinguished and interdisciplinary
faculty of the inaugural session includes the
Nobel Prize Laureate Amartya Sen, Jochen
Abr. Frowein, Theodor Meron, Manfred
Nowak, Giorgio Sacerdoti and Kathryn Sikkink.
Amartya Sen will speak
about “The Idea of
Human Rights” related
to his latest seminal
book The Idea of
Justice. He will also
participate in a round
table on Thursday, 15
July on “Strategies for
Development and Poverty Reduction”.
Applications for the inaugural session have
been received from more than twenty
different countries around the globe and
include academics, Ph.D. researchers
and practitioners from international
Photo by Jesus de Miguel
On 6 May 2010 in Brussels, EIUC in
cooperation with the European Commission
organised a seminar on The New European
Union Architecture in the Field of Human
Rights. The seminar aimed at reflecting on
the consequences of the Lisbon Treaty on the
EU human rights/fundamental rights policy.
The entry into force of the Fundamental
Rights Charter, the envisaged EU accession
to the European Convention on Human
Rights, as well as the overarching mandate
of the HR/VP and the forthcoming creation
of the EEAS, all constitute important new
developments with a considerable impact
upon the EU’s human rights policy.
A special attention was paid to the new legal
architecture, the new structures and their
respective functions, and the necessary
coherence of the policies and instruments
Venice Academy
of Human Rights
12 - 17 July 2010
www.eiuc.org/veniceacademy
organisations (including UN, EU and OSCE),
diplomatic services, think tanks and NGOs.
One of the principal distinguishing
characteristics of the Venice Academy
is the small and intensive setting.
Selected participants will attend the
morning lectures in the plenum and
participate in seminars in smaller groups.
In addition, participants will present
and discuss their own “work-inprogress”,
such as drafts of articles or
book chapters, in informal workshops.
This unique structure provides for an
exquisite forum for the development and
exchange of ideas, practices, and policy
options in the field of human rights and
democratisation.
After the successful inauguration of the
Venice Academy in July, EIUC will establish
the Academy firmly as a new centre of
excellence for human rights education,
research, and debate in Europe.
SEMINAR on THE NEW EUROPEAN UNION ARCHITECTURE
IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS
in the EU’s internal and external action
following the entry into force of the Lisbon
Treaty. The seminar gathered members of
the European Commission, the Council, the
Parliament as well as members of other
international organisations, civil society and
university representatives.
Keynote speeches were delivered by Jean-
Paul Jacqué (Professor Emeritus, Université
de Strasbourg, EIUC, Honorary Director
General, Council of the EU), Olivier de
Schutter (Professor, Université Catholique
de Louvain, UN Special Rapporteur on the
Right to Food), and Marc Franco (Head of EU
Delegation in Egypt, European Commission).
Véronique Arnault, Director at the DG
RELEX, concluded the seminar by expressing
her wish for a more coherent vision of the
EU policies in the field of human rights.
EIUC Board
Horst Fischer, Bochum (President)
Attracta Ingram, Dublin
(Deputy-President)
Guy Haarscher, Brussels
Felipe Gomez, Bilbao
Jean-Paul Lehners, Luxembourg
Zdzislaw Kedzia, Poznan
Maria Teresa Pizarro Beleza, Lisbon
Kalliope Agapiou-Josephides, Cyprus
EIUC Honorary President:
Mary Robinson
EIUC gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the European Commission towards its activities
In this edition:
Amartya Sen at EIUC
EIUC / EC Seminar on the New EU
Architecture of Human Rights
Visit of Moscow Delegation
EIUC & ADF Meeting
EIUC & Ca Foscari Joint Seminars
MEP Zanicchi visits EIUC
20 Anniversary of the Venice
Commission
GTZ & EIUC Académie d’été
Venice School of Human Rights
EIUC Diplomatic Conference 2010
Maghreb Expert Network Meeting
E.MAlumni Association
EIUC Calendar
EIUC Voice
coordination:
Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer
and Corinna Greco
European Inter-University
Centre for Human Rights
and Democratisation
Monastery of San Nicolò
Riviera San Nicolò 26
I – 30126 Venice - Lido
Tel. +39 041 2720911
Fax +39 041 2720914
secretariat@eiuc.org
www.eiuc.org

VISIT TO EIUC OF MOSCOW DELEGATION IN APRIL 2010
On 12 April 2010 three delegates of the
Russian Consortium Project Management
Team, Mrs. Shivleta Tagirova from the PFUR
(People Friendship University of Russia),
Mrs. Daria Trenina from the MGIMO
(Moscow State Institute of International
The Arab Democracy Foundation (ADF)
took the initiative to launch, in collaboration
with EIUC, an international cooperation
network on Democracy Education in the
MENA region. The meeting took place at the
Notre Dame University of Beirut on 29 and
30 April 2010 and gathered representatives
of the universities of the region.
Relations) and Natalia Shatina from the
RGGU (Russian State University of the
Humanities), together with Mr. Rachid
Alouach from the UN-OHCHR Russia visited
the EIUC premises in view of designing the
first steps to implement the agreement
between EIUC and the Consortium in the
coming months.
Profs. Florence Benoît-Rohmer and
Fabrizio Marrella welcomed the Russian
colleagues and discussed with them many
opportunities for teachers and students
mobility. As a first step Prof. Fabrizio
Marrella, E.MA Programme Director,
had gone to Moscow in April 2010 and
delivered lectures to the 15 students of the
Russian Federation Human Rights Master
Mr. Mohsen Marzouk, ADF Secretary
General, explained the wish of ADF to
develop a master in democratisation in
partnership with universities from the
region on the model of the European
Master’s Programme in Human Rights and
Democratisation (E.MA).
www.eiuc.org
launched by the Consortium in September
2009 under the coordination and with the
support of the OHCHR Russia.
Prof. Marrella also participated as a key
speaker in the International Conference
of the People Friendship University of
Russia and conducted consultations with
teachers of the Russian Human Rights
Master regarding the Curriculum of the
Programme.
Since the Cooperation Agreement provides
for the participation, on a regular basis,
of professors from EIUC, four more E.MA
professors are expected to teach in Moscow
in the months to come.
EUROPEAN-ARAB UNIVERSITIES’MEETING - NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY BEIRUT, 29-30 APRIL 2010
EIUC & CA FOSCARI UNIVERSITY OF VENICE JOINT INTERNATIONAL
SEMINARS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The EIUC-Cà Foscari international seminars
initiative is aimed aimed at opening up to
E.MA Students and the public present in
Venice some of the finest discussions on
current issues of international law and
human rights. The last events, organised by
Prof. Marrella, E.MA Programme Director,
in the Aula Magna of Cà Foscari have been
the following:
- Seminar on EU, China and Human
Rights: Crossing Perspectives: this event
has been organised on .... in the splendid
venue of Aula Baratto in Cà Foscari
University. Dr. Jonas Grimheden, from
the EU Fundamental Rights Agency; Prof.
Zhang Wei, from the Chinese University
of Political Science and Law together
with Prof. Florence
Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC
Secretary General,
who chaired the event,
discussed with the
public on the situation
of human rights in
China and the EU
debating on crossing
perspectives.
- The Council of Europe
and Human Rights
Protection in the
Third Millennium:
this seminar was
organised on 4 June
2010 to celebrate the work of the
Council of Europe and the first 20 years
of activity of the Venice Commission
(European Commission for Democracy
through Law). The very purpose of
the Venice Commission is to assist the
Council of Europe member States and
beyond in the adoption of democratic
constitutions and laws which will
pave the way for lasting peace on the
European continent. Speakers of this
seminar have been, among others, Prof.
Jan Erik Helgesen, First Vice-President of
the Venice Commission, Professor at the
University of Oslo; Prof. Pieter Van Dijk
(Netherlands State Councillor, President
of the Administrative Jurisdiction Division,
Council of State); Prof. Werner Sollors
from Harvard University. Prof.
Mike Newton from Vanderbilt
University and professors
Ignazio Musu, Maurizio
Cermel and Lauso Zagati
from Cà Foscari University.
After the opening by Prof.
Carraro, Rector of Cà Foscari
University of Venice and Prof.
Florence Benoît-Rohmer,
EIUC Secretary General the
seminar was moderated
by Prof. Fabrizio Marrella
whereas Prof. Benoît-
Rohmer presented the final
conclusions of the meeting.
Prof. Florence Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC
Secretary General, attended the meeting
in order to explain the functioning of EIUC
and E.MA and to discuss about modalities
and possible tracks of cooperation,
opportunities of mobility for students or
academics, as well as involvement of EIUC
in future scientific programmes.
MEP IVA ZANICCHI VISITS EIUC
Iva Zanicchi, Vice-Chair of the Committee on
Development of the European Parliament,
visited the EIUC premises and was
particularly interested in the functioning of
the Centre and of the different programmes
run by EIUC. Ms Zanicchi expressed her
support to EIUC.
Prof. Marrella (E.MA Programme Director),
Ms Zanicchi, Prof. Fischer (EIUC President)
20 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
VENICE COMMISSION
On the occasion of the 20 th anniversary
of the Venice Commission of the Council
of Europe, EIUC Secretary General and
E.MA Programme Director were invited to
participate in the ceremony that took place
on 5 June in Scuola Grande San Giovani
Evangelista. The President of the Republic of
Hungary, President of Georgia, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan
and the Personal Representative of the
President of the Republic of Algeria gave
speeches to take stock of the activities of
the Venice Commission and to launch new
projects for the future.

GTZ & EIUC ACADEMIE D’ETE SUR LA BONNE GOUVERNANCE AU MAGHREB
Bonne Gouvernance, Etat et Société civile
Académie d’été
sur la
Bonne Gouvernance
au Maghreb
19-26 juin 2010
en coopération
avec
EIUC and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
will organize from 19 to 26 June 2010 the
second edition of the Académie d’été sur la
bonne gouvernance au Maghreb.
EIUC VENICE SCHOOL OF HUMAN RIGHTS
The European Inter-University Centre for
Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC)
has decided to accept a new challenge
this year by adding to the already well
established European Master’s Programme
in Human Rights and Democratisation
(E.MA), several educational activities that
will make the summer temperature grow
even hotter for the Monastery of San Nicolò
inhabitants.
After the Académie d’été sur la bonne
gouvernance au Maghreb that will take
place in mid June, the month of July will start
with the launching of the Venice School of
Human Rights and Democratisation.
From 1 to 10 July 2010, 60 students from
different academic backgrounds, coming
from all over the world will meet in Venice in
order to share and deepen their knowledge
of human rights issues.
DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE on
The 2011 Review of the Human
Rights Council
EIUC will organise a Diplomatic Conference
on The 2011 Review of the Human Rights
Council. It will take place on 16-17 July at
the Monastery of San Nicolò in Venice.
The conference will gather EIUC scholars,
Cohom members, European Union
and other international organisations
representatives.
The participants will brainstorm on the
challenges of the upcoming review of the
Human Rights Council.
Ms Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High
Commissioner for Human Rights, accepted
to open the conference.
The Académie - which first edition was held
in Marrakech, Morocco in July 2008 - will be
focused on “Bonne gouvernance, État et
société civile” and as such revolve around
three specific thematic areas:
a) the role of state institutions in the
framework of good governance:
interactions and responsibilities;
b) electoral processes: electoral systems,
rules and procedures;
c) the role of civil society in the promotion
of good governance.
Supporting the Académie is also the
’Al Kawakibi Democracy Transition Center
(KADEM) of Tunis, with whom EIUC and GTZ
have been cooperating for past initiatives.
The Académie, which will take place at the
EIUC seat, the Monastery of San Nicolò at
Venice-Lido, will involve as participants 30
young graduates and professionals coming
The goal of the Venice
School is to allow its
participants to be
updated on the stateof-the-art
debate on
human rights issues
and to be stimulated
to a reflexion on the
actual challenges faced by human rights
defenders in the world.
The Venice School will also aim at
facilitating the exchange of experiences
while enhancing an intercultural dialogue
amongst its international participants.
The 2010 edition of the Venice School will
develop around three main themes:
• Human Rights as our Responsibility,
under the responsibility of Prof.
Zdzislaw Kedzia from Adam Mickiewicz
University,
www.emahumanrights.org
by Elisabetta Noli, EIUC Senior Project Manager
from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and
Tunisia, sharing experiences and interest on
good governance issues.
Dr. Michäel Bechir Ayari, from the University
of Marseille-Aix will act as Academic
Coordinator, while the group of facilitators
will include both academics and experts
coming from the Maghreb region and Europe.
Among them: Professors Mohcine El Ahmadi,
and Youssef El Bouhairi, from University Cadi
Ayadd, Marrakech; Prof. Jean-Paul Jacqué,
Université de Strasbourg; Prof. Florence
Benoît-Rohmer, EIUC Secretary General;
Mr. Patrick Dupont, Relex B2, European
Commission; Mr. Jens Deppe, Ms Margarete
Jacob and Ms Katrin Schäfer (GTZ Experts),
representatives from the Association
Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates and
from an Algerian journalist forum.
by Alberta Rocca, EIUC External Relations Manager,
and Linda Zampol D’Ortia, Venice School Project Officer
Venice School
of Human Rights
1 - 10 July 2010
www.eiuc.org/veniceschool
• Human Rights and Business, under the
responsibility of Prof. Fabrizio Marrella,
E.MA Programme Director,
• Human Rights and Climate Change,
under the responsibility of Dr. Carmen
Maganda from the Université du
Luxembourg.
Courses will be taught in English by
internationally recognised experts in the
field of human rights belonging to EIUC’s
partner universities and other organisations
that support EIUC projects and endeavours.
MEETING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REFLECTION GROUP
FOR NETWORKING IN THE MAGHREB REGION
On 26 June 2010, EIUC and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH will
organise at the EIUC seat, in addition to the
Académie d’Eté sur la Bonne Gouvernance
au Maghreb “Bonne gouvernance, État et
société civile”, a “brainstorming meeting”
to discuss the idea to establish a network on
good governance in the Maghreb region.
GTZ and EIUC - following cooperation over
the last three years on the development
and organisation of programmes dedicated
to the theme of good governance in the
Maghreb region - wish to build upon
the fruitful relationships started with
For more information please contact
academiemaghreb@eiuc.org
regional institutions (national and local
governments, academic partners, NGOs
and other civil society actors), with a view
to establish a network willing to continue
to cooperate in exchanging good practices
and experience in the field, as well as act
as advisory group to GTZ and EIUC for the
development of new initiatives.
Participating in the meeting, in addition to
the GTZ and EIUC representatives, invitees
from the following organisations : Université
Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech; Université Aix-
Marseille; CAWTAR, Tunis; Cour des
Comptes, Tunis; Cour des Comptes, Rabat;
KADEM, Tunis; Université d’Alger/CREAD.

BOOSTING THE E.MALUMNI ASSOCIATION An interview to Cristiano Gianolla, EIUC Networking Officer,
and Corinna Greco, EIUC Communication Manager and E.MAlumni Vice-President ad interim
What is the E.MAlumni Association?
It is the association of graduates of the
E.MA programme. By September 2010
the E.MAlumni community will count
more than 1000 members representing
a qualified force in the human rights
professional market all around the globe.
Which are the aims of E.MAlumni?
Through its activities the Association aims
at promoting and reinforcing contacts
between its members, at supporting EIUC
activities and promoting HR & D in Europe
and throughout the world.
What is the role of EIUC and of the EC?
Some attempts to create and launch the
E.MAlumni Association took place since the
first meeting in November 2002 in Venice;
over the years and with the growing
number of graduates it became important
also for EIUC and for the EC to press
alumni to relaunch the Association by the
appointment of a dedicated staff member.
The meetings held on 21 May were possible
through these two actors and E.MAlumni
appreciated the support and active
participation of the EC representatives
(DG RELEX and DG AIDCO) and the EIUC
Secretary General.
What happened on 21 May 2010?
The E.MAlumni Inaugural Meeting took
place in Brussels. The morning session was
devoted to a seminar on Human Rights
Defenders with Mr. Alessio Cappellani (DG
RELEX) and Mr. Vincent Forest (Front Line)
as keynote speakers.
Six Alumni participated in a lively and
NEW CUP-EIUC PUBLICATION
EIUC is pleased
to announce the
second volume
of its Cambridge
University Press
series EIUC Studies
on Human Rights and
Democratisation:
United Nations
Reform and the New
Collective Security.
Edited by Peter G. Danchin, Horst Fischer.
Cambridge University Press, 2010. 450 pages.
ISBN 978-0-521-51543-6 Hardback
interesting round
table during
which some of the
difficulties faced
by human rights
defenders around
the world were
illustrated. These
Alumni were Mr.
Ewoud Plate (E.MA
98/99, Aim for
Human Rights), Mr.
Igor Vorontsov (E.MA 00/01, PeaceNexus),
Ms Susanna Daag (E.MA 04/05, CIFCA), Ms
Lena Barrett (E.MA 06/07, Uni York - Centre
for Applied Human Rights), Ms Diana Doris
Akiidii-M’Bingham (E.MA 06/07, GTZ), Ms
Lydia Malmedie (E.MA 07/08, Stonewall)
and Ms Sophie Mirgaux (E.MA 07/08,
Belgian MFA) acted as moderator.
Before the General Assembly was opened in
the afternoon, Mr. Sanel Huskic (President
of ACIPS –Association Alumni from the
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of
Sarajevo) presented ACIPS’ history and
developments allowing it to become,
over the years, a key NGO in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
Which are the tools of E.MAlumni and how
will it contribute to the promotion of HR
and democratisation?
By using the E.MAlumni website,
members can: access statistics about their
occupation and field of expertise; search
on the internal CVs database; join various
discussion fora; vote online for decisionmaking
and election processes; post job and
internship; submit project proposals for
professional and social interaction and
cooperation.
How do you assess this E.MAlumni
Inaugural Meeting?
The whole day was successful: first of
all for the great attendance of E.MA
graduates and students representing all
academic years, then for the interesting and
inspiring presentations on HR defenders
from the EC and E.MAlumni experiences
and perspectives, finally for the E.MAlumni
General Assembly discussions about the
roles and potentialities of the Association.
The E.MAlumni’s Statute was amended and
then adopted with enthousiasm. It now
includes, in its Preamble, the fundamental
role of EIUC for the E.MAlumni Association,
as well as new modalities to conduct remote
discussions and to implement decisionmaking
processes through the E.MAlumni
website. The GA also entrusted the future
President and Board with two core actions:
the strengthening of the network and its
visibility outside the Association, other
than the realisation of a first project within
a year.
What’s next for the E.MAlumni Association?
Besides continuing the registration of new
members in the Association, we are in the
heart of a busy period for the election for
the first President and Board. E.MAlumni
can campaign on the website until 15 June
and elections will take place from 16 till 30
June. Results will be known on 1 July 2010.
Follow us on
www.emalumniassociation.org
EIUC CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE SUMMER 2010
• 19-26/6: Académie d’été sur la bonne
gouvernance au Maghreb – “Bonne
gouvernance, État et société civile”
• 27/6: Meeting for the establishment of
a reflection group for networking in the
Maghreb region
• 1-10/7: Venice School of Human Rights
• 12-17/7: Venice Academy of Human Rights
• 15/7: round table on Strategies for
Development and Poverty Reduction with
Amartya Sen, Giorgio Sacerdoti, Manfred
Nowak, Guy Haarscher, Véronique
Arnault, and Bernd Eisenblätter
• 17/7: EIUC Diplomatic Conference on
The 2011 Review of the Human Rights
Council
• 18/7: Advisory Board meeting,
EIUC Board meeting
• 15/9: Start of the E.MA 2010/2011
• 24/9: E.MA Universities Fair
• 25/9: E.MA Theses Defence 2009/2010
• 26/9: E.MA Awarding Ceremony
2009/2010 and opening of the E.MA
academic year 2010/2011
• 27/9: Regional Masters meeting
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