CRES SUMMER SCHOOL: Regaining new European and democratic momentum together, 22 – 27 September 2024, Cres, Croatia

 The “CRES Summer School”, organised on the island of Cres (Croatia), will focus on the topic

“The future of Europe: EU enlargement and resilience in search for new political answers”

Programme

Sunday, 22 September

Arrival

Monday, 23 September:

9.30 – 10.30 Opening session: Welcome by the organisers and introduction of the participants

10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break

10.45 – 12.30 Keynote address and open discussion with Mariam Khotenashvili, Executive Director of the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA)

“The current enlargement policies towards the Eastern candidates – prospects and challenges”

Chaired by Vedran Džihić, Senior Researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs – oiip and Paul Schmidt, Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics (ÖGfE)

12.30 – 14.00 Lunch (Pizzeria i spaghetteria Luna Rossa, Palada ul. 4b)

14.00 – 15.30 Keynote address and open discussion with Ruth Ferrero Turrión, Professor of Political Science at the Complutense University of Madrid and Associate Researcher at the Complutense Institute for International Studies

“A new European momentum? How the present challenges change the future of Europe.”

Chaired by Vedran Džihić and Paul Schmidt

15.30 – 18.30 Free time

18.30 – 20.30  Evening inspiration: “Next Generation sharing experiences” with inputs by Summer School participants

20.30 Welcome dinner (Pizzeria Palada, Palada ul.)

Tuesday, 24 September:

10.00 – 12.00 Creative workshop led by Vedran Džihić and Paul Schmidt

“Democratic activism for Europe – Ideas and actions to move the region towards new horizons” –
Part I

12.00 – 13.30 Lunch (Pizzeria i spaghetteria Luna Rossa, Palada ul. 4b)

13.30 – 15.00 Input and open discussion with Vedran Džihić, Senior Researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip), Co-Director of the Center of Advanced Studies Southeast Europe (CAS SEE)

“Concepts and strategies for the Western Balkans – an overview”

Chaired by Paul Schmidt

15.00 – 18.30 Free time

18.30 – 20.00 Evening inspiration: “Democracy bottom-up: Crosscutting perspectives” with Marko Kovačić, Vice Dean for Research and International Cooperation at Bernays University of Applied Sciences

20.30 Dinner (Pizzeria Palada, Palada ul.)

Wednesday, 25 September:

09.30 – 11.00 Keynote addresses and open discussion with H. E. Josef Markus Wuketich, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Republic of Croatia and H. E. Jeronimo Fuentes Candau, Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Croatia

“The future of EU integration and enlargement – what is at stake? A view from Austria and Spain.”

11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break

11.30 – 13.00 Creative workshop led by Vedran Džihić and Paul Schmidt

“Democratic activism for Europe – Ideas and actions to move the region towards new horizons” –
Part II (Drafting a joint document)

13.00 – 14.30 Lunch (Pizzeria i spaghetteria Luna Rossa, Palada ul. 4b)

14.30 – 19.00 Video recording: “Europe at a crossroads – what needs to be done?” – Free time

19.00 – 20.30 Guided tour in the town of Cres and in the Moise Palace with Andreja Malovoz, Head of the Programme Activities at the Moise Palace, Center of Advanced Studies Southeastern Europe (CAS SEE), University of Rijeka

20.30 Dinner (Pizzeria Palada, Palada ul.)

Thursday, 26 September:

09.30 – 11.00 Keynote address and open discussion with Benjamin Couteau, Research Fellow for EU Enlargement/Western Balkans/Turkey at the Centre Grande Europe and Education Manager of the Académie Notre Europe

“Enlarging the EU in times of an unstable environment: The Western Balkans – key challenges and opportunities in the region”

Chaired by Vedran Džihić and Paul Schmidt

11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break

11.30 – 12.30 Creative workshop led by Paul Schmidt and Vedran Džihić

“Democratic activism for Europe – Ideas and actions to move the region towards new horizons” –
Part III (Drafting a joint document)

12.30 – 13.00 Presentation of the final results – discussion – further steps – joint op-ed

13.00 – 14.30 Lunch (Pizzeria i spaghetteria Luna Rossa, Palada ul. 4b)

14.30 – 20.30 Writing –video recording: “Europe at a crossroads – what needs to be done?” –
Free time 

20.00 Farewell dinner (Pizzeria Palada, Palada ul.)

Friday, 27 September:

Departure