The IES 2002 Activity Report

Europe lives. The European Union and its institutions face a turning point at the eve of their 50th anniversary. Merely a few years after the introduction of the Euro, new challenges await the Union: the creation of a constitution and the enlargement to 25 countries are but two of the most prominent examples. The endeavours of the Union, its decision-making bodies and its citizens concern everybody. It thus comes as no surprise that the Vrije Universiteit Brussel chose to create an institute for European Studies when the Flemish Government gave it the opportunity through Article 169quater of its university decree.

The goal of the IES is to further explore the domain of "European Studies" through a multi-disciplinary approach. Article 2.1. of the agreement between VUB and the Flemish government states it as follows: "the goal of IES is to offer postgraduate education (as defined in article 169quater of the Decree on Universities), conduct research and provide services in European Studies, and this through, amongst others, virtual educational platforms".

Initially created to consolidate the Programme on International Legal Cooperation (PILC), a postgraduate programme offered through VUB for the past 30 years, the IES is now responsible for awarding the diploma of Master in International and Comparative Law (Decision of the Flemish Government of 17 May 2002). The government initiative involved creating a research centre around this successful teaching programme. IES thus started its research programme in early 2002, and expanded its teaching activities with lecture series, conferences and colloquia on various issues of European studies. The Institute also started with creating a wider scientific network with similar institutions or universities in -and outside the EU.

Even though the IES took over the Programme on International Legal Cooperation as early as September 2001, its real inauguration took place in January 2002, with the launch of its research programme. Besides, the Management Agreement on the IES between VUB and the Flemish Government (further called: Management Agreement) was only signed in May of that year, and its policy plan 2001-2006 was passed on to the Ministry in July 2002 after approval by the University's Board of Governors. In 2002, most of the IES' projects were thus in an initiation stage. The Institute can nevertheless look back at a prominent list of activities in research as well as in education and services to the community.

Prof. Dr. Bart De Schutter
President IES

The IES can look back at 2002 as its initiating year. In financial terms, this means: investment in office furniture and equipment, building, hardware and software, but also investment in manpower in order to acquire a national and international reputation as a high quality institute. This "initiation phase" also meant that a number of projects could not start as quickly as they would have if the institute had existed for a longer period. However, this did not restrain the IES from meeting all its requirements as forseen in the Decree on Universities and as noted down in the agreement between University and Government.

All initiatives taken by the Institute to date follow the goals as described in the IES policy plan 2001-2006. With regard to education, this means organising the Programme on International Legal Cooperation (this started in October 2001), investigating the potential for new MA programmes (with the University of Kent on "Globalisation"), the development of E-courses (on European Law and European Institutions) and the organisation of lecture series (a first one on globalisation is being organised for the 2nd semester of 2002/2003).

Concerning research, the Institute followed its research lines as described in its policy plan, namely "globalisation", "individual rights" and "security". In view of further cooperation with other institutions, these research themes will be refocused on "Globalisation", "Environment", "European Integration" (including institutional reform and individual rights) and "Security" (both internal and external). As well as hosting researchers on its own budget, the IES was the interim-home to a number of external researchers visiting Brussels in general or the University or the Institute more specifically.

The raised expectations in the field of scientific services were met through the organisation of a number of scientific conferences and colloquia, and through collaboration with other institutions in other European-inspired projects.

Expenses were kept within the initial budget. The institute managed its expenses on a cost-savings basis, and was able to save on all expenses, including investment. The IES, in addition, managed so as to ensure that the sustainability of the organisation in the long run would not be undermined. Therefore, it was seen to that its personnel costs were kept below 65% of the total expenses (currently 63%).

Anthony Antoine
Executive Director