News and eventsOn 14 October over 100 family, friends and loved ones gathered in the ‘Academic Building’ to celebrate the 45 students who had graduated in the previous academic year, held in the same building given to the university when it was founded in 1575.
Following their success in concluding the ECSC treaty, the MA class tackled the more complex issues inherent in negotiating one for a common market. This time, the teams were assigned different countries whose interests (as well as those of Europe, of course) they were supposed to represent. Here follows their impressions on the day.
This was the thesis of Mr Hans van der Loo, Vice-President EU liaison, Royal Dutch Shell’s lecture in the second of our EU seminars. As a chief lobbyist of Shell to the EU, Mr van der Loo sought to explain current situations in the hope of influencing outcomes not only with regards to energy but also to climate change.
On Tuesday the 4th of October the MA European Union Studies class had the privilege of attending a lecture delivered by the German Foreign Minister, Mr Guido Westerwelle, arranged by the Montesquieu Institute, Campus Den Haag and the MQA-EUS. Sitting amongst professors, civil servants and media, we students were given pride of place as Minister Westerwelle gave what can only be described as an inspirational speech; one which rallied us to take action.
This was the predominant message of Wepke Kingma, director of the European section of the Dutch Foreign Ministry in the first of our European seminars. In his opening speech Mr Kingma referred to the huge success of the European Union so far in terms of its vast achievements in both economic and social spheres; dragging a post-war society into one where member states have benefited from one another.
On Wednesday 14th of September, MA-EUS students completed a simulation of the negotiations leading to a treaty on Coal and Steel.
This year we welcomed a cohort of 44 students from 19 different nations to start the MA-EUS. The Introduction week was designed to help new students become acquainted with the Netherlands, and with each other.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Professor Dragan Klaic. Within the MA-EUS degree, he taught the specialised course on "European Cultural Policy" and even from his hospital bed guided students who were writing on this subject.
Henk Post, former Chef de Cabinet under Commissioners Hans van der Broeke (1993-1999) and Fritz Bolkestein 1999-2004, addressed the Masterclass Europe in Practice on the role of Cabinets in the European Commission.
Former Minister for European Affairs (2007-10), professor Frans Timmermans opened his introductory remarks to the European seminar by observing that at a BRIC meeting he recently attended “the only continent not discussed was Europe. In fact”, he added, “the only place where Europe as a continent is discussed is in Europe, and only then for each country to discuss its own position within it.”
“In China, Dutch agriculture is held in high regard – far higher than, until recently, in the Netherlands itself”. With these words, Mr. Ate Oostra, former ambassador to China and former permanent representative to the EU (for agriculture) opened his seminar.
Former Dutch prime-minister (2002-2010), Professor Jan-Peter Balkenende addressed students of the Master Class Europe in Practice in a closed session on March 23rd. In a gesture appreciated by the students, he took questions first and then, instead of giving a formal lecture, proceeded to address the various issues raised.
“You are in Brussels to negotiate with other countries, but often you spend more time negotiating with the Hague…. I felt I had more influence on policy in the Hague in Brussels than as an advisor in the Netherlands.” Dr Arnout Molenaar, policy advisor at the Ministry of Defence, with five years experience with the Dutch representation in Brussels, addressed the European seminar on the challenges posed by a common foreign and security policy on 15th March.
“I arrived in a situation of Euro schrolosis and left in an atmosphere or Eurphoria”. With these words Dr Wim van Eekelen described his four years as Dutch minister for European Affairs between 1982 and 1986, for the Master Class students on March 9th. And in the middle was the summit at Fontainebleau in 1984.
On Wednesday 2 March 2011, the Master Class was honoured by a lecture of Prof. L.J. Brinkhorst a former leading figure in the Dutch representation in Europe and currently a professor of European Law. His experience concerns the major institutions, enabling him to give an insiders view on European Integration.
Addressing the European seminar, Professor Lex Hoogduin, director of the Dutch Central Bank, considered the paradox that while the European Central Bank had been successful in meeting its targets, it was now seemingly in crisis.
Dr. Mendeltje van Keulen (advisor to the Parliament) addressed the European seminar on the theme: The New EU role of National Parliaments: from 'losers' to 'latecomers' in EU policy making . She described how there has been a trend for national parliaments to have greater influence in decisions relating European Integration.
On 8 February the CHIO published its ' consumer guide' to Masters degrees in the Netherlands. Based on student responses, the Leiden degree outshone its competitors.
The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence is organizing a Master Class for MA students from Leiden University.
On Friday, 10 December, MA-EUS students participated in the ASEM Youth Model Forum – a series of meetings organised by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, which preceded the Leiden ASEM Social Affairs and Employment Ministerial Meeting.
