On Friday, 8 November, we officially launched the RIGHTS-TO-UNITE project at the UCD Sutherland School of Law! The day was filled with dynamic discussions, impactful presentations, and a shared passion for advancing EU rights and integration.
The event began with a warm welcome from Prof Niamh Moore-Cherry, College Principal of UCD College of Social Sciences and Law, followed by enthusiastic greetings from Prof Kate Robson Brown, University College Dublin Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Impact.
Prof Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of the University of Limerick, chaired the introduction of RIGHTS-TO-UNITE, setting the stage for an insightful discussion.
• Introduction to the project’s vision and goals by Prof Dagmar Schiek, our PI, and Dr Audrey M. Plan, our post-doctoral researcher while Dr Mary Naughton was introduced in absentia, adding her valuable contribution to the discussions.
• Integration or Governance? a thought-provoking discussion was sparked by Prof Imelda Maher, Director of the UCD Dublin European Institute.
Following a brief comfort break ☕, we resumed with the engaging panel on RIGHTS-TO-UNITE and EU Accession States, chaired by Prof Ben Tonra (SPIRe) featuring inspiring insights from:
• Dr Lia Tsuladze (CSS and Tbilisi State University): “Polarization through Discourse: Strategic Usage of Europeanization by Political and Media Actors in Georgia”
• Dr Simonida Kacarska, (European Policy Institute – Skopje): “EU’s Accession Instruments & Rights: The Case of North Macedonia”
Prof John O’Brennan from Maynooth University facilitated a lively discussion after these powerful talks.
🎓 Our amazing PhD students wowed us with their presentations and forward-thinking projects:
• Dragana Drndarevska 🇲🇰: The Role of EU Anti-Discrimination Rights in Enhancing Roma Women’s Capabilities
• Aikaterini Katsaouni 🇬🇷: The Impact of EU-Derived Rights on Labor Rights in Greece, Focusing on Migration of Third-Country Nationals
• Lukáš Svoboda 🇨🇿: EU Social Security Coordination in the Perspective of Czech Cross-Border Workers
🥂 The launch wrapped up with closing remarks from Prof Dagmar Schiek and a wonderful reception of drinks, food, and conversations!
A big thank you to all who attended and helped make this launch so memorable. Together, we are paving the way for research that champions EU rights and integration in the face of unprecedented geopolitical, economic and social challenges! 🌐✨ 🇪🇺
Stay tuned for exciting updates, events, and milestones! 🌟
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