Jean Monnet Constitutional Values Observatory
The transformation of the European Union as a community of values generates different interests, ideas and expectations from the process of European integration among states and citizens. Also, a critical deficit of comprehensive information, analysis and knowledge is evident among EU citizens regarding the core elements of European citizenship and the constitutional, fundamental values of the European Union. Furthermore, the rise of populism, radicalism and intolerance among European societies has resulted in the augmentation of Eurosceptisism and the loss of the common sentiment of European identity. As a result the process of European integration based on common values lacks popular support.
It is evident that Europe needs to better understand the dilemmas and perceptions generated by the efforts at EU and Member State level to safeguard the values ‘common’ to both Member States and the EU. To fulfil this mission The “Jean Monnet Constitutional Values Observatory” will be established as a special research and documentation unit of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. The main goal of the Observatory is to produce permanent and periodic assessments regarding the process of the consolidation of the European Constitutional values of the EU, as a forum to exchange ideas, and as a resource for opinion leaders, academics and EU citizens. The Observatory will constitute a pole of information, research and debate on cutting-edge issues dominating the Union’s constitutional agenda.
The Constitutional Values Observatory will host documentation, legislation, case law and press releases and commentary about the latest developments and the new challenges in the nexus of EU integration/EU values. The webpage of the Observatory will also host comments and notes on controversial issues of the specific thematic areas. It will also provide research reports for EU institutions, and will foster dialogue and think tanking activities between policy-makers, academics, civil society and EU citizens. Based on an interdisciplinary cluster of high level experts and young researchers it will engage in a systematic effort to disseminate and debate all relevant information, making them policy relevant and communicable to the general public.
The Jean Monnet Constitutional Values Observatory will engage in the following activities:
- Provide academic perspective and documentation
The research team of the Observatory will be actively involved in the process of research and knowledge construction, by a) collecting the relevant data, documentation, legislation, case law etc., b) proposing research questions, c) writing and reporting opinions, research essays, notes, policy briefs and commentaries, d) publication and dissemination.
The main thematic areas of the Observatory are:
- EU, fundamental rights, minorities and dignity
- Equality and diversity in the EU
- Democracy, participation and the rule of law
- European citizenship, tolerance and solidarity
- Serve as a think tank where research results, experiences and ideas, and can be exchanged
Consultation with stakeholders, academics, opinion leaders and civil society representatives will contribute to the stimulation of public dialogue and debate among the broader society. The Observatory will undertake the responsibility of organizing and hosting meetings, roundtables, guest lectures, interviews and other academic events, which will contribute to robusting critical thinking to questions and dilemmas regarding the consolidation of the EU constitutional values
- Inform the public, and promote academic synergies and networking
A newsletter will be published periodically summarizing all the results and products of the Observatory’s activities. The newsletter will be uploaded to the Observatory’s website and will also be disseminates to an extended list of experts, academics, civil society organizations, and representatives of national and European institutions. Also, all the products and the results will be uploaded to the Observatory’s website in order to be freely available to the public.
Through participation and organization of events the Observatory will pursue the establishment of official and unofficial structural links with academic institutions, civil society organizations and high level experts, thus contributing to the emergence of new patterns of cooperation, networking, mobility and research which will substantiate the ongoing development of an effective European lifelong learning area.