2014 Press Releases
UCC welcomes leading Euro figures
UCC's Dept. of Government hosts the 44th UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies) Annual Conference from 1-3 September as the EU faces a mix of economic, political, and foreign policy challenges.
The conference will be one of the largest gatherings of European Studies specialists in the world this year. Leading academics from the worlds of politics, political science and law will address recent European and global events and assess their implications for the EU and the European integration project. With 470 delegates from 39 countries registered to attend, it is estimated to be worth €700,000* to the local economy.
Current events in the UK, including the Scottish independence referendum and the possibility of a UK-EU in-out referendum will be addressed by speakers. The wider implications for the EU of national referendums and constitutional change generally, particularly in the UK but also in Spain and other member states will be considered by Professor Brigid Laffan (EUI), Professor Imelda Maher (UCD), Professor Charlie Jeffery (University of Edinburgh) and Professor Eduardo Ruiz Vieytez (University of Deusto).
The outcome and impact of the May 2014 EP elections and the appointment of key European Commission and European Council officials will be considered by elections specialist Professor Michael Marsh (TCD); author of Why Europe Matters, Professor John McCormick (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) and former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.
Minister for European Affairs, Dara Murphy, will address delegates on Tuesday 2 September. The minister will also be present when renowned Irish academic, Professor Brigid Laffan, is presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the UACES Association in recognition of her outstanding record of academic achievement, professional service and public engagement.
The delegates will deliver and disseminate over 400 research papers addressing a broad range of issues related to the EU and European integration.
Dr Mary C. Murphy, Lecturer in UCC’s Dept. of Government who is co-ordinating the conference, comments, “The on-going global economic crisis, conflict on Europe’s borders, the UK’s wavering relationship with the EU and calls for independence in Scotland (and elsewhere) pose profound questions for the future of the European project. The UACES 2014 Annual Conference brings leading figures from the worlds of politics, political science and law to Cork to examine these developments and to assess their implications for the EU and its citizens."
She also highlighted the value of the conference locally. “Cork city will benefit from this three day conference. It is estimated that the influx of over 400international visitors will bring approximately €700,000 in additional revenue to the city."
UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy commented, “The UACES Annual Conference is an important and prestigious event which UCC is proud and privileged to host. It demonstrates the esteem in which the university is held by international colleagues and is testament to the dynamism of the UCC academic community in attracting an event of this significance and magnitude."
Full details about the conference (including the programme) and costs can be accessed here: http://www.uaces.org/events/conferences/cork/
The Twitter hashtag for the event is #UACES2014.
For further information, please contact Dr Mary C. Murphy, Department of Government, UCC. Email: maryc.murphy@ucc.ie. Tel: 021 4902981 or 021 4902770. Twitter: @MaryCMurphy and @UACES.
*€700,000 figure stems from Fáilte Ireland calculation based on spend per delegate.