About European Studies Institute |
At the summit in Moscow in May 2005, the European Union and Russia agreed to investigate the means of promoting the EU related studies and training in Russia. Within the framework of the EU/Russia Common Space of Science and Education, the aim was to encourage the study of EU law, economy and politics, in accordance with the best practices in the EU, including training and retraining of government officials and post-graduate students. To achieve this the EU and Russia decided to found a European Institute at the appropriate Russian Institute in Moscow (MGIMO). On 25 September 2006 the European Studies Institute (ESI) commenced its activities at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations-University (MGIMO-U) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main goal of the ESI is to equip professionals engaged in the EU-Russia cooperation with a better knowledge and understanding of the European Union and EU-Russia dialogue for the benefit of both parties and their rapprochement.
ESI Structure The ESI structure (fig. 1) comprises:
Fig. 1
The ESI management body is the Governing Board. It consists of sixteen members: 8 Russians and 8 representatives of other European countries.
Training Programmes The ESI training comprises:
Master's Programme in EU Studies A Master's Programme is a post-graduate (re-) training programme for Russian and EU civil servants; representatives of public and private companies, organizations and NGOs; postgraduate students and scholars in European integration. Academic standards, training materials and methods will be compatible with the best practices of similar EU training institutions, such as the College of Europe in Bruges with which the ESI has established a close cooperation. The Master's Programme starts in September and finishes next December. It is divided into three terms, lectures and seminars during the first two and writing of the thesis during the final one. Excellent students may be sent to an EU institution or country for traineeship during summer. Classes take place from 17.30 to 21.50 every day from Monday to Friday with foreign language courses twice a week. Teaching methods include: lectures, seminars, practical assignments, case studies, role plays, etc.
Short-Term Courses Taking into account the needs of Ministries and Agencies, the ESI provides short-term courses in European integration, inter alia:
Faculty The training programmes are delivered by highly-qualified Russian and EU professors from higher education institutions; experts in EU policy and institutions; and by Ministries’ and Agencies’ officials.
Students The students on the Master's programme are Russian and foreign University graduates fluent in Russian and in one of the EU languages. Work experience and good knowledge of a European language is considered as an advantage for the ESI enrolment. Students successfully completing the Master's Programme will be granted the State Master's diploma.
Conferences and seminars The ESI conferences and seminars are designed to share experience and promote networking in the following fields:
Publications The ESI will publish conferences’ materials, manuals, training and research materials, textbooks and monographs.
The ESI networking The ESI will cooperate with:
Next steps
For more information: Website: Address: 119454, Moscow, Vernadskogo prospekt, 76, MGIMO (U), European Studies Institute. Tel: +7 (495) 433-85-88, 434-17-10, 434-12-01 Fax: +7 (495) 433-85-88, 434-90-72, 434-45-91
Funding Institutions RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs - €3M ( European Commission - €3M (
Note: Financing is currently granted by the EU for an initial three-year period 2006-2009. |