Ex-ante evaluation report concerning the Satu Mare County Strategy 2014-2016
October 13, 2016 Author: Tatiana Joufi
Abstract: This evaluation aims to observe how was conducted the evaluation of the Satu Mare County Strategy 2014-2020, focusing on evaluation of the context in which was achieved the Strategy and on the inputs needed to implement this strategy. The purpose of this evaluation is to identify how the local authorities or the County Council introduced the evaluation component from the perspective of New Public Management (NMP) in the Ex-Ante Evaluation carried out on the Satu Mare County Strategy 2014-2020. The results of this evaluation will be used to improve the activity of Satu Mare County Council in evaluation of strategies involving the component of evaluation from the perspective of NPM. Also, the results of this evaluation will contribute to the knowledge of the context in which was carried out the 2014-2020 strategy, to the knowledge of County community needs and the team that developed the strategy. In this way we will be able to determine the level in which the objectives were well proposed, and the knowledge of resources needed to implement the strategy 2014-2020.
The inclusion of Roma communities in local cultural policies. Case study: Cluj-Napoca European Capital of Culture 2021
October 13, 2016 Author : Florentina Ionică
Abstract: The research problem of this project has to do with the manner in which the multiculturalism is understood in Romania, especially at the local level. In this case our problem stems from the fact that multiculturalism and ethnic diversity are underlying the European cultural projects, which are required in order to understand and value the European cultural heritage. We focus on the Roma community from Romania and on the way that this community is perceived in local cultural policies in Romania, the case study considering Cluj-Napoca and the Project of European Capital of Culture 2021. The relevance of the topic is related to two dimensions: the integration of Roma communities and also the integration of their culture, because there are no studies linking both dimensions and from the local level it is not given any solution to support this facts. The research methodology is based on the data collected from documents received from the most representative institutions of Cluj CCE 2021 program, and also from sources which create a better understanding of the research problem.
Franco-German Cooperation and the Management of the Refugee Crisis
October 13, 2016 Author : Adina Șerban
This paper analyses the Franco-German relationship in the context of the refugee crisis and aims to asses if the two countries cooperate to reach a joint or common position regarding the proper ways for managing the refugee crisis and to determine the extent to which we can speak about a Franco-German common agenda for addressing the current refugee crisis. The methodology is based on qualitative methods, namely on content analysis, interpretative analysis and interpretative case study. Therefore, this research analyse a series of documents issued by various European institutions on the topic of the refugee crisis and especally the discourses of the German Chancellor and the French President regarding the current refugee crisis, during the period between April 23, 2015 and April 7, 2016. This analysis is undertaken in the light of three analysis dimensions: the discursive dimension, the bilateral interactions dimension and the designing of a common agenda dimension. The results of the research demonstrated that the refugee crisis has created the context of an enhanced Franco-German cooperation on migration and also leaded to a growing convergence of visions and designing of a common Franco-German agenda to address the refugee crisis. This study has a great relevance because it represents the starting point for a more comprehensive research regarding the existence of a Franco-German engine in the context of the refugee crisis.
Evaluation of the cross-border cooperation at the Eastern and Western borders of Romania.
December 1, 2015 Author: Tania Joufi
European Territorial Cooperation and, therefore, cross-border cooperation at EU level has gained importance with the accession of states from Eastern Europe, becoming a major concern on the EU agenda. The analysis and evaluation of CBC (Cross-Border Cooperation) programs attended by Romania during 2007-2013 represents the topic of this research paper, in order to form an overall picture of the functioning of the cross-border cooperation both between EU Member States and with non-member states which are in the close vicinity. The research focuses on three main goals: evaluating the process of cooperation in the border region Romania-Hungary over the 2007-2013 period, determining the evolution of the CBC Regional Office from Oradea in this programming period, determining the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation of Romania with non-member states in order to observe their proximity to EU policies. Concerning the methodological framework, we followed a process of documenting the subject matter using qualitative research, so the interview, analysis of documents, observation or interpretation of the results were the most important instruments used, and the research methods used consisted in the CIPP Model and in The Success Case Study Method.
The Cultural Dimension in the twinning programmes developed by Cluj-Napoca City Hall
June 6, 2015 Author: Dana Furdui & Andreea Ioana Dumitruţi
The present paper aims to analyse the role played by culture in Cluj-Napoca’s twinning programmes, with an emphasis on the most important elements of these programmes. In this context, the research question is: “Is good governance used in managing these programmes?”, since culture is a dynamic and novel sector. The research topic is therefore defined by the cultural dimension of the programmes and the way in which good governance reflects in the activities implemented and the results achieved.
As methodology we used both the interview and the case study, in order to identify the data relevant for the research. As a result of our research, we concluded that the management and coordination of Cluj-Napoca’s twinning programmes use the model of good governance through efficient coordination of the activities, adequate use of the resources, collaboration with non-governmental organizations, active involvement of the citizens and continuity of activities within the twinning relations.
Key words: Cluj-Napoca, community, culture, partnerships, twinning
The unwanted past and urban regeneration of Communist heritage cities in Central and Eastern Europe. Case study: European Capitals of Culture Pecs 2010 and Maribor 2012
June 6, 2015 Author: Corina Turșie
Since 2010, diverse cities coming from Central and Eastern European ex-communist countries had held the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) title. They had to demonstrate de fulfillment of the two selection criteria: “European dimension” and “City and citizens”. The task of these cities was challenging: while carrying the troubled heritage of past socialist regimes, they aimed to strengthen their belonging to the European cultural and social sphere, to re-narrate their history, to re-invent their image and to regenerate their urban infrastructure. This study verifies the implementation of three distinctive potential strategies of dealing with the unwanted past (de-communization, return to a Golden Age, and Westernization) against two case-studies: two former ECoC cities: Pecs 2010 (Hungary) and Maribor 2012 (Slovenia).
Key Words: European Capital of Culture, communism, unwanted past, memory, regeneration, image.
Coalition-building: the key of success in EU’s intergovernmental negotiations
June 1, 2015 Author: Adina Șerban
Abstract: Coalition formation represents a major feature of the negotiations and decision-making processes in the Council of the European Union and it became a theme of interest for researchers during the EU15 and EU25. This paper analyses the interngovernmental negotiations of the EU on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 and aims to present insights on the decision-making process in the EU Council during EU28. This paper focuses on the member states’ coalition-building during the intergovernmental negotiations of the EU and identifies the major coalitions encountered in the EU Council and the premises which lead to the establishment of alliances in the Council. The methodology is based on qualitative methods, namely on content analysis of the relevant EU official documents. Furthermore, to identify the current situation in the Council of the European Union, especially how the alliances are structured, the paper employs a case study –the negotiations of the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework – and it provides an analysis of the public deliberations on the adoption of the MFF 2014-2020.
We feel Europe: approaches for improving positive attitudes towards the European Union in Slovenia
December 1, 2014 Author: Urška Štremfel, Meta Novak, Damjan Lajh
The European Union (EU) is increasingly faced with the problem of a lack of positive attitudes of its citizens towards its institutions and processes. Consequently, the EU pays careful attention to the various activities and projects that contribute to the development of the concept of European citizenship, especially among youth. These activities gain a high priority on the EU policy agenda and also the agendas of member states, and they challenge political science and educational research to provide the best approaches for implementation of the EU dimension in national education policy and practice in a quality and effective manner. The article discusses how the previously elaborated theoretical discussions (e.g. community-based learning, multicultural learning and non-formal learning) and empirical evidence regarding effective EU civic education have been considered when developing innovative approaches for improving knowledge about and positive attitudes towards the EU among Slovenian youth in the two Jean Monnet projects “EU at school” conducted in the last two school years at the University of Ljubljana. Based on the project results, the article concludes with implications for successful implementation of the EU dimension in the educational policies and practices in EU member states.
Key words: EU, knowledge, positive attitudes, education practice, Sloveni
Simulation games: powerful learning tools in the field of European Studies?
December 1, 2014 Author: MÉSZÁROS Edina Lilla
In our paper, we wish to present the use of simulation games and exercises, as innovative, alternative and problem-based learning methods of European Studies, implementing David Kolb’s experiential learning theory and the constructivist learning paradigm. After a detailed presentation of the simulation exercises as experiential learning methods and in-depth theoretical framing, our research also aims to assess various EU simulation games organized at the level of the Union with a special focus on our country, Romania. The topic of this article originates from a personal experience, because it is based on the know-how gathered as a participant at the EU Applied Decision Making Simulation Game held in Brussels in 2010, where we have renegotiated an EU regulation concerning the Setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part of the Community’s integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles. In the end, we will try to present the benefits and challenges of this experiential learning method, deciphering whether it honours its purpose of turning students form passive to active learners, fostering their more effective participation, once they are adults in community issues, contributing to the formation of future professionals, proficient in EU decision-making, or not.
Keywords: Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, EuroSim, Model United Nations, constructivism, problem based learning
Teaching EU at school: the case study of “European dimension of language teaching in secondary school” in service training
January 12, 2014 Author: Dilyana Pavlova
This paper aims to present the one year in-service training course titled “European dimensions of language teaching in secondary school” offered by the Department of European studies of Sofia university. The methodology includes document analysis as regards to the references to knowledge related to European union in legislative acts in the sphere of education and the legal base and provisions for the qualification of teachers in Bulgaria. Furthermore, the paper employs a case study based approach on the design, curriculum, implementation and short term results of the in-service training course. Data was primarily collected through document analysis, insights and feedback offered by department members who participated in the creation of the course and observations on the learning products developed by the teachers in the course of their training. There has been little research aimed at analyzing results of formal qualification of teachers on European issues outside of different project results. The present paper addresses this issue and presents the practical considerations of the implementation of this initiative. The paper has practical implications for university staff, teachers and public administration involved in promoting European studies at school.
Keywords: Bulgarian educational system; EU studies; EU teaching/learning; school education; teacher training;