Conference “Inclusion and Exclusion in the EU”- Amsterdam Center for European Law and Governance

Inclusion and Exclusion in the EU

Amsterdam Center for European Law and Governance

The conference considers inclusion and exclusion in the EU both from an internal and external perspective. Internally, the themes of inclusion and exclusion highlight the dynamics between Member States, the EU and EU citizens.The climate of sustained austerity measures begs the question of who is able to fully participate and enjoy their rights as citizens of the EU? How does the austerity climate affect the transnational solidarity between EU citizens? New national protectionism is closing off welfare systems and deprives EU citizens of certain rights to benefits across borders. How do the EU institutions react to opposition to free movement raised by Member States? Are there any signs of institutional co-operation between Member States to remedy the perceived negative impact of free movement on national welfare systems? At the same time, due to the growing role of the EU in devising austerity measures, the Union is increasingly also playing an important role with respect to social exclusion within the Member States. This raises questions such as: What are the effects of the exclusion of EU citizens across borders through national legislation for the Union as a whole? What is the role of the EU in combating social exclusion?

In the external context, the themes of inclusion and exclusion are also relevant for the way that the EU and its Member States are dealing with economic migration and refugees, as well as third country nationals in other contexts. Here the themes of inclusion and exclusion raise fundamental questions about the EU as a community based on humanistic standards. How does the EU deal with the ‘other’? Does it meet its own standards? Does it meet international standards, e.g. of the European Convention on Human Rights? What role does solidarity among Member States play in the exclusion or inclusion of those that come from the outside?

Confirmed speakers and discussants

  • Jean François Durieux,Director, International Refugee and Migration Law Programme, International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Sanremo (Italy)
  • Dr Nadine El-Enany, Birbeck University of London
  • Roel Gans, MSC, Director for International Affairs of the Ministry for Social Affairs and Employment
  • Dr Anne Pieter van der Mei, Maastricht University
  • Prof. Paul Minderhoud, Radboud University
  • Dr Violeta Moreno-Lax, Queen Mary University of London
  • Prof. Annette Schrauwen, University of Amsterdam, ACELG
  • Prof. Eleanor Spaventa, Durham University
  • Bart Vanhercke, MSC, Director of European Social Observatory

Attendance and registration

Attendance is free of charge, but subject to registration. Please register using the registration form on this webpage.