New Zealand’s European Union Centres Network (EUCN) is the focal point of EU expertise in NZ, involving all eight NZ universities and partners at the Australian National University, University of Vienna, and Sussex University.EUCN offers the only EU Studies degree in the region and hosts established EU experts across disciplines.University of AucklandAuckland University of TechnologyUniversity of WaikatoMassey UniversityVictoria University of WellingtonUniversity of CanterburyLincoln UniversityUniversity of Otago
The European Union Centres Network New Zealand (EUCN), aims to combine the three elements of research, teaching and outreach under a unique thematic umbrella focused on the impact, role and understanding of the European Union within New Zealand and the wider Pacific region. The EUCN was initially established in 2006 and has since developed to a multidisciplinary network open to all research projects related to EU Studies. The 1999 EU-NZ Joint Declaration – involving economics, politics, security, innovation, development, democratic values and people and cultures – defines the scope of the Network’s activities. It organises academic research and administrates scholarships for students studying the EU. Events, seminars and conferences are open to the public and often available online.
The strength of the 8-university consortium is that it combines EU multidisciplinary expertise. There are clear areas of differentiation in expertise between partners which collectively provide an unparalled depth of EU knowledge and experience. Opportunities in the network provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to make a difference locally and globally, blending traditions with innovations necessary to meet the challenges of a changing world.
Work Packages
The EUCN organises its activities into three work packages that run over the course of three years. Each of these work packages has a different objective:
Two Work Packages (WP) are research-focused:
Revitalising Regional Integration in Europe and the Asia Pacific
WP1 focuses on regional integration in the EU and the Pacific in response to transnational crimes that are pertinent to both regions, bridging the gap between scholarship and practice.
- Defining regional integration at the level of regional law, policy and institution-making around the suppression of criminal activity.
- Comparing the EU, a region where law, policy and institution-making at the regional level is established, with the South Pacific where it is poorly developed.
Transnational Security – Regional Integration in the Suppression of Transnational Crimes
WP2 examines national- and regional-level responses to multiple distinct challenges to stability and security by:
- Responding to the triple challenge: territorial security, economic volatility and unprecedented migrant flows
- Comparing regional responses to contemporary challenges: EU, ASEAN, Australasia, Latin America
A third WP promotes academic EU excellence among young researchers by improving the quality of professional training:
EUCN Academic Advancement
WP3 supports EU Studies in the region, raises EU-visibility and builds sustainability by:
- equiping students with EU knowledge and practical, transversal skills relevant to their careers and to participating fully in democratic life;
- fostering dialogue between academics and policy makers and raising awareness of the EU; and,
- supporting students to carry out postgraduate EU studies, building capacity in young scholars and promoting interest.