International Seminar, 3 - 4 April 2006
European Diaspora – Exploring Opportunities for its Involvement in Economic Development of Countries in South-East Europe and their Accession to European Union
hosted by
FH JOANNEUM (Austria), World University Service – Austria,
Victoria University (Australia), National Europe Centre, The Australian National University and the Contemporary European Studies Association in Australia
under the auspices of
The European Community Jean Monnet Reflection Activities

Objectives

To aim of this two-day seminar was to bring together practitioners from South-East Europe facing the challenges of economic development, institutional transformation and accession to the European Union with academics taking more scholarly interest in such matters. The seminar facilitated exchange of ideas and drew on practical experience of those involved in the on-the-ground activities in South–East Europe inspiring new academics research while also providing the practitioners with more systematic view of the environment in which they operate.

The seminar explored opportunities for involving expatriate (diaspora) communities in the economic and institutional transformation of home/ancestral countries and in the development of their capacity to accede to European Union during the next phases of EU enlargement. European diasporas in Australia provided the focus for the discussion of the capacity of such communities to assist in the process of economic development and institutional change. The seminar considered the changing nature of European citizenship and its implications for Europe and European diasporas overseas. This seminar objective was in line with the main aim of the EU Jean Monnet Reflection Activities, which is to strengthen European citizenship and promote the active participation of all Europeans, including expatriates and people of European decent, in the process of European integration.

Programme

The first day of the seminar focused on challenges of economic development, institutional transformation and future EU enlargements in South-East Europe, especially from the practitioner’s perspective. The second day considered the experience of countries that have recently acceded to the European Union and the capacity of diaspora communities to assist their home and ancestral countries. The South-East European diasporas in Australia provided a focus for discussion with presentations by leading Australian students of the subject. This was followed by a discussion of selected aspects of diaspora involvement in the transformation of home countries, such as multi-national citizenship, multiculturalism and entrepreneurial capacity of diaspora communities. The seminar concluded with a briefing session on projects undertaken in South-East Europe by the World University Service – Austria.

To view the seminar program click here.

Participation

Participation in the seminar was by invitation only. The contact peope were: Professor Gerhard Apfelthaler of FH Joanneum in Graz (Austrian Convener) or Dr Steve Bakalis of Victoria University in Melbourne (Australian Convener).

Language and Format of Presentations

English was the working language of the seminar.

Venue

FH Joanneum, Graz

Cost

There was no registration fee but seminar participants were expected to pay for their own travel to/from and accommodation in Graz. Limited travel and accommodation assistance was provided for some invited presenters at the discretion of the seminar organisers and subject to the availability of funds.