Welcome to the website of the New Zealand European Union Centres Network, a network of seven New Zealand universities that aims to combine the three elements of research, teaching and outreach under a unique thematic umbrella focused on the impact, role and understanding of the European Union within New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.
The Network is multidisciplinary in orientation and open to all New Zealand universities with an interest in European Union Studies. The 1999 EU-NZ Joint Declaration - involving economics, politics, security, innovation, development, democratic values and people and cultures - defines the scope of the Network's activities.
Latest News: Applications open for European Parliament Internships
The EUCN is pleased to annouce that in conjunction with New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the European Parliament's Delegation responsible for relations with Australia and New Zealand, one internship position with a Member of the European Parliament will be offered to a postraduate student at a New Zealand university. This internship will be for the period of up to three months from September 2009. Applications close at 5pm on the 1st of October 2008. Further Information.
Applications now open for Scholarships, Research Awards and Academic Research Pilot Project Funding
Applications are now open for the European Union Centres Network Scholarships and Research funding for the 2009 Academic Year. Postgraduate students who are studying the EU at a partner university are eligible for either scholarships to cover tuition costs or a grant to cover research costs. Further information and application details.
We are also inviting applications from staff at EUCN partner universities to apply for this round of research project funding. Funding is available on a compeditive basis for projects focused on the EU and the EUCN's objectives. Further information and application details
EUCN Conference - Registrations Open
The National Centre for Research on Europe, in association with the European Union Centres Network and the EU Studies Association Asia-Pacific is hosting an international conference entitled “Europe in the Changing World: challenges, priorities and research collaboration”, to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, 25-27th September 2008. The conference aims to promote the collaboration of academics and scholars within a framework of three themes:
EU Through the Eyes of the World;
Teaching Europe Outside Europe; and
Ideas for Research Collaboration: State of Play and Future Directions.
Burden Sharing Symposium
A very successful symposium was held on the 29th July in Wellington entitled Post 2012-Burden Sharing Symposium. This event was coordinated by the EUCN in conjunction with the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
Further Information including powerpoints and videos of keynote addresses.
Minister of Trade speaks on NZ-Europe Trade Relations
New Zealand's Minister of Trade, the Hon. Phil Goff, spoke at a luncheon hosted by the NZ - Europe Business Council on the 20th June at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland. The Minister spoke on New Zealand and Europe: Past and Future Relations and Opportunities.
Text of Full Speech
Irish Referendum and the EU Treaty
With Ireland having voted 'No' to ratifiying the EU's Lisbon Treaty this week, commentators are discussing what this now means for European Integration and the European Union. Below are a number of links to news items on this topic:
"NZ to Ireland: Let us take your place" Nevil Gibson - National Business Review
"Irish No raises questions over EU commission size" - EU Observer
"Dublin sees 'no obvious solution' to EU treaty rejection" - EU Observer
" 'No quick fix' to Irish No Vote" - BBC
Europa Lecture 2008
The
Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, presented the 2008 Europa Lecture on
the 12th of June at the Univeristy of Auckland. The event was hosted by
the EUCN and the NZ-Europe Business Council. The lecture was chaired by
Mr George Cunningham, Chargé d'Affaires of the European Commission
Delegation in Wellington.
Mr Peters spoke on "New Zealand and Europe: A Partnership for the 21st Century". He described the relationship between New Zealand and Europe as one that is now a more "mature, balanced, and mtually beneficial relationship than at any time in our history" . He also encouraged New Zealanders to develop more up-to -date understandings of the vitality of Europe and of its value to New Zealand as an economic superpower and a region that "exemplifies many of our own aspirations".
Further Information including full speech notes.