WHAT DOES THE TERM ,,EUROPEAN WAY OF LIFE” MEAN TO YOU? SIGN UP FOR OUR COMPETITION!

Authors of the best five studies will be given the opportunity to publish their work in a volume of studies dedicated to the topic.

Applications are open to all students who are pursuing PhD or M.A. degrees in Social Sciences, Law, Political Science or the Humanities and hold at least one B.A. Those who have obtained their PhD in the above fields within the past three years are also eligible to apply.

The professional jury of three assessing the applications include former President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Professor Emeritus Szilveszter E. Vizi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Foundation for Democracy and former Foreign Minister János Martonyi and President of the Association of the Hungarian Civic Cooperation Mariann Vízkelety.

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW

What justifies the promotion of the European way of life?
Nézőpont Intézet Foundation – under the chief trusteeship of European Parliamentary Representative and former Justice Minister László Trócsányi – is launching a competition to interpret the European way of life as a concept. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has launched a portfolio on the promotion of the European lifestyle as part of her program, with the title stirring up considerable public debate. European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas’ mission letter provides a long description of the contents of the portfolio. Adapting citizens’ skills and competences to the labor market, responding appropriately to the challenges of the digital age and preparing European citizens to to deal with the problematic issues of the 21st century are all areas spelt out in the letter as being relevant to the promotion of the European lifestyle.

The United Kingdom voted to leave the EU in a referendum, the European Constitutional Treaty was rejected in the Dutch and French referendums, and the Irish had not supported the Treaty of Nice in their first referendum. These developments demonstrate the need for European decision-makers to pay more attention to the views of the citizens of the Member States. Trust must be restored in the future of the Union by building on our common European values. If the United States is held up by its citizens as a pledge of their prosperity, how is it that citizens of the EU Member States do not consider the European Union in the same way as the pledge of the European peace project?  A dialogue on the future of the European Union must undoubtedly include a scientific debate on the European way of life.

Where does the term “promoting the European way of life” come from? Is the European way of life in need of support or protection? What objectives should the Union set for this portfolio? What is the added value of the new Vice Presidential portfolio? How can we contribute to the promotion of the European way of life by means of cultural and sports support, education and integration? How could we adopt a common European strategy? What values should the European Union represent? In addition to common European values, are there values that are specific to Member States and the protection of which must be a priority for them? These are only some of the possible questions, and studies on any aspect of the European way of life can be submitted.

Applications are open to all students who are pursuing PhD or M.A. degrees in Social Sciences, Law, Political Science or the Humanities and hold at least one B.A. Those who have obtained their PhD in the above fields within the past three years are also eligible to apply. The length of the study must be 40,000 characters at maximum including spaces.

The first prize winner will receive a cash prize of HUF 200,000, the second prize winner HUF 150,000, and the third prize winner HUF 100,000. Authors of the best five studies will be given the opportunity to publish their work in a volume of studies dedicated to the topic.

The professional jury of three assessing the applications include former President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Professor Emeritus Szilveszter E. Vizi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Foundation for Democracy and former Foreign Minister János Martonyi and President of the Association of the Hungarian Civic Cooperation Mariann Vízkelety. The studies must be submitted via e-mail to alapitvany@nezopont.hu by 23 March 2020.

All applicants will be notified of the results within two weeks of the closing date. Authors of the best five studies will have an opportunity to present their work in lecture format at a conference in April.

Budapest, 4 February 2020