Some of the major programs and activities of the European Union Center include:
Issues in an Expanding Europe Lecture Series
Model EU Summit
Annual EU Conference
Business Briefings
Summer Seminars
Research Fellowships
Issues in an Expanding Europe Lecture Series: In addition to the annual conference, the EU Center sponsors a series of distinguished lecturers and visitors.
Model EU: The European Union Center at the University of Oklahoma has developed a Model EU Summit for colleges and universities throughout the Southwest region of the US. EU-Southwest has twice been held at The University of Oklahoma in Norman, and was hosted once at the University of Arkansas. The Model EU offers students the chance to learn how the institutions and decision-making process operate in the European Union through a hands-on simulation. The core of EU-Southwest is a simulation of the bi-annual meeting of the European Council, involving the heads of government and foreign ministers of the EU member states. To give participants a better idea of how the different EU institutions work and interrelate, we also simulate meetings of several other groups which do not normally meet at the same time as the European Council.
Pittsburgh Model EU Summit, March 19-20, 2004:
In March 2004, the University of Oklahoma sent a group of students to participate in the Model EU at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Model EU 2004 was a simulation of the December 2002 Copenhagen European Council, held during the Danish Presidency of the EU. The major agenda issues addressed at the conference were: 1) Issues related to enlargement, including Turkeys concerns about proposed membership for Cyprus in the EU; 2) European Security & Defense Policy (ESDP); 3) the Transatlantic Relationship; and 4) the Transit Traffic Dispute with Austria. Each member state delegation included two delegates a Head of State (Prime Minister) and a Foreign Minister. In addition to the two meetings of Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers, there was a simulation of the accession negotiations with Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary. See pictures.
EU Center Conferences: The EU Center sponsors periodic conferences that bring together distinguished scholars for in-depth examination of timely issues concerning the EU or EU-US relations. Conferences have focused on debates over Britain's position in the EU and the impact of European integration on the domestic politics of EU countries, with a special emphasis on Germany. The latter conference resulted in publication of a special issue of the journal German Politics, 'From Modell Deutschland to Model Europa,' which appeared in October 2005.
Business Briefings: This program was designed to provide the Oklahoma business community with information about EU developments affecting their business environment. The program is operated jointly with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC). These seminars are hosted by an OU faculty member, possibly with a guest speaker, and are held once per semester. About 15-20 business, government and community leaders are invited to attend. One of the goals of the Business Briefings is to provide a forum where Oklahoma business leaders can be brought together with leaders of European firms doing business in Oklahoma. Usually a short seminar directed by an expert on European business, the Business Briefings help to internationalize Oklahoma's business community.
Summer Seminars: During Summer 2002, the EU Center offered a short, intensive course on the EU to high school teachers of social studies. The course was four days in duration (thirty contact hours) and led by a faculty member. Participants in the seminar prepared the addition of a module on EU affairs to their Civics, Geography, European History, or World History classes. Additionally, the teachers received an extensive introducion to instructional resources on European Union affairs. During summer 2003, the EU Center conducted a curriculum development workshop for university faculty in the Southwestern Network. The workshop focused on the Convention on the Future of Europe and institutional reform, as well as eastward enlargement of the EU. During summer 2004, the Center will again offer the intensive short course for high school and junior college teachers of social studies.
Research Fellowships: To encourage research and study of the EU, the EU Center sponsors a number of Fellowships and Grants for faculty and students at universities in the Southwest. Research fellowships help graduate and undergraduate students carry out research for theses or dissertations. The European Union Center at OU announces competition for two research fellowships to be awarded to one faculty member and one graduate student. Fellowship funds are provided to reimburse travel, lodging, per diem and photocopy expenses for two weeks at the University of Pittsburgh's European Union Center and Depository library. Also being offered is a summer graduate research fellowship intended to allow the recipient to conduct a short-term visit (4-6 weeks) to Brussels and/or an EU member state to conduct research relating to a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation.
Southwest Regional Network: One of the core objectives of the EU Center at the University of Oklahoma is to create an effective outreach network in the Southwest. In order to facilitate exchanges of faculty, students, and EU visitors, we have designated several EU Center Fellows at partner institutions throughout the region. The University of Oklahoma EU Center provides resources to help Fellows host EU visitors to the region and to bring Fellows to the OU Campus for special events. There are 8 participating EU Center Faculty Fellows at universities in 5 states.