Winter School On Federalism And Governance 2013

The Winter School on Federalism and Governance is a transnational project of the EURAC-Institute for Studies on Federalism and Regionalism, Bolzano/Bozen (Italy), the Faculty of Law and the School of Political Science and Sociology of the University of Innsbruck (Austria). Since its first edition 2010 it takes place under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

The upcoming edition 2013 focuses on “Federalism and Fundamental Rights”. Federalism, regionalism, devolution, autonomy and other forms of territorial division of power are key tools for effective and democratic governance. They are often used to address fundamental rights issues, mostly in an effort to better promote and protect them, but also, in some instances, to limit them. The Winter School 2013 aims at better understanding such link from a multi-disciplinary academic and practical perspective, providing in-depth analysis and practical knowledge of the problems, the solutions and the instruments available in this field.

The first week of the Winter School (4-8 February 2013) takes place at the Faculty of Law and at the School of Political Science and Sociology, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Austria. The second week (11-15 February 2013) takes place at the Institute for Studies on Federalism and Regionalism, European Academy Bolzano/Bozen (EURAC), Italy.

The application is open to young researchers and academics, post-graduate or undergraduate students, civil servants from a local, regional or national government as well as employees of international organizations or NGOs.

Among others, the following issues will be addressed during the training:

• To what extent is territorially differentiated protection of fundamental rights possible and even desirable?
• What fundamental rights are best suited to be developed differently in different parts of a state’s territory?
• What lessons can be learned from comparative practice?
• How can territorial settings improve the protection of fundamental rights? What do the international standards and practice have to say in this regard?

COSTS

The participation fee for the Winter School should be paid upon enrolment in November 2012:

• Option 1: € 700,00 – includes 13 nights-accommodation in a single room with breakfast.
• Option 2: € 550,00 – includes 13 nights-accommodation in a twin room with breakfast.

For participants from Innsbruck or Bolzano/Bozen (requiring only one week accommodation) the participation fee is reduced to 50%.

SCHOLARSHIPS
The organizers of the Winter School on Federalism and Governance will award a limited number of scholarships. The organizers distinguish between:

• “full scholarship” covering the accommodation costs plus breakfast for 13 nights in Innsbruck and Bolzano/Bozen (twin room) and a contribution towards the participants’ travel expenses (refund after the Winter School).
• “partial scholarship” covering only the accommodation costs in Innsbruck and Bolzano/Bozen (13 nights with breakfast, twin room).

To apply for the scholarship you have to fill in the application form (question about scholarship is included in the third part of the form).

Everyone can apply for scholarship, however, scholarships are limited. Preference will be given to students and to participants from overseas.

The scholarships will be awarded after all applications have been processed by  November 2012. Holders of these scholarships are requested to pay a participation fee of € 100 upon enrolment.

Benefits

A certificate of attendance will be awarded to participants attending at least 90% of all classes. Additionally, those who pass the final exam scheduled for the last day of the Winter School will be awarded 10 ECTS by the University of Innsbruck. These credits can be transferred to your home university if you are currently enrolled at another study programme. Please note that it is to the discretion of your home institution if and how many of these credits will be accredited to your university degree/CV. Further details regarding the final exam will be given with enrolment.

Participants will have the opportunity to submit a working paper after the Winter School (not compulsory!). The best papers will be considered for publication. Further details will be available during the Winter School.

Application

In the online application form you will be asked to submit your:
- personal data
- academic and professional education
- work experience (if applicable)
- motivation (max. 250 words)
- abstract (max. 500 words) on one of the topics listed below. We suggest to prepare the abstract before submitting your application form. Details regarding the abstract are explained below. Please note that without your abstract your application is not valid! 

The topics for the abstract are as follows:
A) “Migrant Integration”
B) ”Linguistic Rights”
C) ”Right to Freedom of Religion”
D) “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Application deadline: 26 October, 2012.

For further information please contact Greta Klotz by phone +3904710552392, email: winterschool@eurac.edu, or Skype: euracwinterschool

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