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From climate to security: 'Students present perspectives I was unfamiliar with'

Cooperation is the solution to international problems, demonstrated the final seminar of the Master Honours Class ‘Smart Regional Integration’ – even when it is sometimes easier said than done. “You can see the students struggle with that.”

During the Master Honours Class Smart Regional Integration? Comparative lessons for a lean and legitimate EU students learn all there is to know about cooperation. An important element of this course is the final research project. By comparing several means of cooperation, the honours students try to find ways to improve cooperation within the EU. During the final seminar each team present their research proposal. 

The best solution

Many students opt to research climate change, for instance by comparing policy in Asia to policy in the EU. “But it can also be about security or disease control”, says teacher Armin Cuyvers. “basically, every instance in which countries cannot handle the challenges and are forced to cooperate.” 

For example, the first team looks into the best solution to climate change by comparing the regional partnerships Mercosur, CARICOM and the EU. However, their clear and enthusiastic presentation shows that it is not easy to examine the efficacy of the climate policy of these organisations. “In part, the purpose is to realise how hard that is”, says Cuyvers. “During the presentations, you can see the students struggle with that.”

Cooperation as a skill

Besides the focus on subject-matter, Cuyvers prioritises cooperation as a skill. “Alumni indicate that they mostly find this skill, cooperation, lacking. That is exactly what they need to do in this class.” How? “The students all have a different background, and they are working in teams to solve concrete problems precisely from these different disciplines.”

"“I believe that the skills I have developed here are of great added value" 

The interdisciplinary teams lead to unique solutions, explains the teacher. “For instance, there was a team who investigated identity from a sociological, psychological and legal point of view. The students present perspectives that I was unfamiliar with, because they have such different backgrounds. Because of that, I myself am learning things too.”

Cool to learn

For Niek Veen, master student Political Science, the focus on cooperation was the main reason to register for this course. “My own program lacked the perspective of international and regional organisation. I felt a course like this would be a good addition.”

For Niek Veen, master student Political Science, the focus on cooperation was the main reason to register for this course. “My own program lacked the perspective of international and regional organisation. I felt a course like this would be a good addition.”

The Master Honours Class has met Nieks expectations. “I believe that the skills I have developed here are of great added value. And what I liked most were the experts who came by to tell us, from their own perspectives, how they look at means of cooperation in different continental contexts. I think that was very cool to learn.”

Text: Elodie Harreman
Photography: Buro JP

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