Ilya Pijpen, Author at CSDS

BSoG welcomes SNU students in Brussels for a dive into the European Union

Ilya Pijpen — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 06:00:06 +0000

On 4 July 2022, the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) had the pleasure of welcoming 25 students for the second edition of the SNU in the EU Brussels Programme. The group of Seoul National University (SNU) students is complemented by five students who were the winners of the Model European Union organised in Seoul and coordinated by BSoG’s Giulia Tercovich, as part of her EU sponsored project to support the European Union in carrying out public diplomacy activities in the Republic of Korea.

The programme kicked off with a lecture by Prof. Karel De Gucht on perspectives on the state of the European Union. In the upcoming two weeks, the students will participate in lectures on the EU institutions and decision-making procedures, EU foreign and security affairs and EU-Asia relations. The lectures are combined with study visits in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, including visits to the EU Commission, the Council of the EU, EEAS, European Parliament, NATO and other.

We wish the SNU students and Model European Union winners a productive and memorable time in Brussels!

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Two BSoG Summer programmes kick off on 30 May

Ilya Pijpen — Mon, 30 May 2022 06:00:33 +0000

30 May marked the first day for students in two of the BSoG’s Summer programmes.

Brussels Programme on European Foreign Policy

The 2022 Brussels Programme on European Foreign Policy kicked off with an orientation day for the participating students of the University of Southern California (USC). The programme includes a rich combination of lectures on the foreign and external policies of the European Union, part-time internships and visits to European institutions and NATO in Brussels. It is lead by Prof. Caterina Carta and classes are taught by a group of CSDS and BSoG professors and external lecturers. The programme runs for five weeks during which time students get well acquainted with Brussels.

This educational programme provides an understanding of the EU as an actor in the foreign, security and defence policy fields. It offers an overview on the history of European integration in foreign and security matters, the role of EU institutions in the external and foreign policy cycles, as well as the evolution of domestic policies with an external spinoff, external and foreign and security policies. It further addresses the future of the transatlantic relationship; relationships with key partners and regional challenges such as the Russia war in Ukraine. It tackles the contemporary security challenges that Europe is currently facing and looks at how the EU and its member states are adapting to such challenges. The aim of the programme is to give students a thorough overview of contemporary security issues and the ability of European states and security institutions to address them.

(picture of this programme: see above)

Undergraduate Summer Programme

The Undergraduate Summer Programme is a second programme that started on 30 May. It runs until 15 July 2022. In this programme, we welcomed this year 30 students from 10 different US universities.

This Summer Programme provides students with a choice of maximum 2 courses (6 ECTS per course) among about a dozen English-taught courses, relating to topics as broad as art & culture, business, communication & media, management, politics and international affairs. Moreover, participants get the opportunity to experience and explore the best of European culture and travel. Students have the choice to take this Summer Programme either with or without credits. Another great thing about this Summer Programme is that you can also choose an internship as one of your two selected courses, to acquire actual work experience in Brussels.

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2022 Model European Union (MEU) in the Republic of Korea

Ilya Pijpen — Thu, 26 May 2022 06:00:41 +0000

Prof. Giulia Tercovich coordinated the 2022 Model European Union (MEU) in the Republic of Korea. On May 26 and 27, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Korea (ROK) hosted the Model European Union (MEU) 2022, a simulation of the Council of the European Union. During the MEU simulation, 35 talented students from 17 universities across South Korea debated about cybersecurity and the need to build collective capabilities and work with partners around the world to ensure international security and stability in the cyberspace. A press release of the event is available here.

The MEU 2022 simulation is part of the EU Policy and Outreach Partnership (EUPOP) in the Republic of Korea projects. For more information, visit here.

As part of her mission to South Korea, Prof. Tercovich also gave a guest lecture on the EU’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific at the Jean Monnet EU Centres of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), attended a series of meetings to discuss the benefits of using simulations to teach subjects related to the European Union and attended the EU Alumni initiative’s reception.

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CSDS-Asia Matters Podcast: The Philippines: A Family Business

Ilya Pijpen — Mon, 23 May 2022 06:00:16 +0000

At the end of June, the Philippines will formally inaugurate a new leadership – but it will feature two very familiar names. There will be a second ‘President Ferdinand Marcos’; and another Duterte – Sara, daughter of the current president – will become vice-president.

The new President Marcos, generally known as Bongbong, is the son of the man who led the Philippines from the time he was elected in 1965 until he was deposed by a ‘people power’ revolution in 1986. During the two decades in between, Marcos Senior amassed billions of dollars in private wealth, oversaw the killing and disappearance of thousands of political opponents, imposed martial law and created a debt-fuelled economic boom which ended in a major recession.

Sara Duterte is the daughter of a man who has polarised the Philippines during the past six years, the current president, Rodrigo Duterte. His signature policy was a ‘war on drugs’ which has caused the deaths of somewhere between six and thirty thousand people.

Despite these chequered family backgrounds, both Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte were elected with huge majorities in the elections on May 9th. Now the dust has settled, we’re going to find out how they did it and what it means for the country.

Our first guest is Ronald Holmes, President of Pulse Asia, one of the Philippines’ leading public opinion research companies. He’s also Professor of Politics at De La Salle University in Manila. Joining him is Maria Ela Atienza, Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of the Philippines. Our guest host for this episode is Bill Hayton, Associate Fellow with the Asia-Pacific Programme at the London-based think-tank, Chatham House. Listen to the podcast episode:

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CSDS co-hosts two successful panels in Washington DC

Ilya Pijpen — Mon, 09 May 2022 06:00:59 +0000

On 9 May 2022, the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) at the Brussels School of Governance co-hosted, along with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), two successful panel discussions in Washington DC. The first public event was devoted the topic of establishing a Transatlantic Dialogue in the Indo-Pacific, and it was broken into two sessions. Session one involved discussing the theoretical and practical aspects of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific between the United States, Europe, and various partners in Asia.The goal of this panel was to outline areas that require more talks between the partners as well as goals for the future and how the partnerships in the region should look. Speakers included Victor Cha, Michael J. Green, Luis Simón, and Yoko Iwama, and the conversation was moderated by Eva Pejsova. Session two focused specifically on the economic aspect of the transatlantic relathionship between Europe and the United States and how it pertains to China and the Indo-Pacific. Within the realm of economics, the issues surrounding the global supply chain, working with politically friendly governments, selectivity and capability, and the inclusion of the private sector were all touched on by the panelists in detail. The panel was moderated by Giulia Tercovich and included Matthew Goodman, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Shin Oya, and Linde Desmaele as speakers. During the second discussion, on the subject of Trilateral Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, participants focused on breaking down the various aspects of cooperation between the United States, Europe and Japan in terms of actions concerning the Indo-Pacific. The speakers discussed areas of conflict within this potential partnership, various goals, as well as the nuances of cooperation that still need to be ironed out. This discussion was held in the context of the ongoing Ukraine war, which the panelists stressed has a great effect on how coalition building in Asia should take place. Participating in the discussion was Dr. Michael J. Green, Dr. Eva Pejsova, and Dr. Yuichi Hosoya, with Pierre Marcos as serving as a moderator.

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Luis Simón wins ERC grant for research on Europe’s place in Sino-American Competition

Ilya Pijpen — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:00:53 +0000

Professor Luis Simón, Director of the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS)at the VUB’s Brussels School of Governance, has been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant of 1.7 million euros for his project ‘Subject or Object? Europe in Sino-American Competition’. The 5-year project will kick off in January 2023 and will examine the impact of US-China competition upon Europe and its role in the world. The EU’s European Research Council (ERC) grants are generally regarded as the most prestigious for researchers in the EU. The application procedure is extremely selective and the grants are awarded to independent, outstanding scientists who are conducting ground-breaking scientific research of the highest quality.

The project

Luis Simón’s award-winning project examines which factors account for Europe’s degree of autonomy in Sino-American competition. The increasing power struggle between the United States and China is probably the most important factor in contemporary and future international politics. The main innovation in his research is an original theory to explain how external actors combine coercion and incentives to influence EU policy, especially by undermining EU unity; how EU actors draw on those same strategies to preserve their unity and autonomy; and, critically, under which circumstances external or internal forces are likely to prevail. The project challenges conventional wisdom in contemporary scholarship, which posits that Europe is poised to become either a subject or an object in Sino-American competition. A driving assumption of this project is that Europe will be subject and object simultaneously, and the focus will be on unpacking the mechanics of that tension. The project will combine quantitative and qualitative analysis, and zoom in on three areas of external policy: trade and investment; technology and infrastructure; and foreign and security policy.

Second ERC project at Brussels School of Governance

With the ERC grant for Luis Simón’s project, there are currently two researchers at the Brussels School of Governance who have received ERC funding. In 2020, professor Liliana Lizarazo-Rodriguez was awarded an ERC Starting Grant for her project CURIAE VIRIDES. In this project, Liliana and her team are exploring the progressive transformation of human rights litigation into more eco-centric litigation and the role of (activist) courts.

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Vacancy: PhD researcher in International security in an era of great power competition

Ilya Pijpen — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 06:00:35 +0000

Project description

For the present call, we are looking for PhD projects relating to the theme of international security in an era of great power competition. The international system is undergoing profound changes. The return of great power competition and the shift in the fulcrum of global politics towards the Indo-Pacific region are challenging many of the assumptions, norms and structures that have defined international politics since the end of the Cold War. Moreover, the ongoing crisis in and around Ukraine underscores the fragility of Europe’s security and geopolitical architecture. These changes are having a pervasive impact on statecraft, the conduct of diplomacy and international security – and upon Europe’s place in world politics. Within this framework, PhD project proposals are invited to explore any of the following sub-themes:

Europe’s place in Sino-American competition. The intensifying great power competition between the United States and China has arguably become the structuring vector in international politics. How will this affect Europe? And to what extent will the European Union (EU) be able to autonomously make decisions regarding its relations with the United States and China? Projects may examine Europe’s ability to preserve an autonomous space in relation to the United States and China in different policy areas (e.g. foreign and security policy, technology, trade).
Deterrence and alliances. The deterrence guarantees extended by the United States to its European and East Asian allies have provided the foundation for the postwar international order. Yet the grammar of deterrence is being challenged by technological evolutions – witness the rise of competition in the informational and digital domains – just as political questions of defence burden-sharing and the relative autonomy of decision-making have featured prominently in discussions about the future of transatlantic and transpacific relations. Innovative projects could explore the contemporary function of deterrence and alliances in security and diplomacy, paying particular attention to the regional security architecture in East Asia and Europe, and the impact of technological change thereupon.
Geopolitical competition in and around Europe. The crisis in Ukraine, conflicts in Syria and Iraq and instability in North Africa and the Sahel have confronted Europeans with zero-sum struggles for geopolitical influence in and around Europe. Projects may explore the evolving balance of power in all its manifestations in the broader European neighbourhood and/or specific parts thereof (Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel, the Arctic, etc.).
Japan’s security role in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Japan has regional and global security interests. China’s economic and geostrategic rise as well as North Korea’s missile and nuclear program have led to important transformations in East Asia’s security situation. Such transformations have compelled Tokyo to rethink its foreign and security policies and adopt a more pro-active role in the region. Projects may explore the drivers and obstacles to Japan’s newfound security role in East Asia, Japan’s evolving attitude towards Sino-American competition, or the future of the US- Japan alliance.

Geopolitical competition in the maritime domain. Maritime disputes have become one of the world’s most important geopolitical issues in the last decade. This trend is most prominent in Asia, where China became more powerful and asserted its maritime claims. Other regions such as Europe, however, have also seen increased tensions, for example, in the Black Sea. We particularly encourage proposals that examine the role of maritime disputes in international relations, not necessarily confined to any particular region.
The technological dimension of geopolitics. Technologies from Artificial Intelligence to quantum computing have the potential to alter the global balance of power, as well as raise the prospect of new and intense security threats. Focusing on the geopolitics of technology raises questions about the industrial policies of states, a state’s innovation capacities and the growing relationship between defence and civilian actors. The introduction of emerging and disruptive technologies also has implications for global norms and regulations and this raises questions about whether existing arms control and non-proliferation agreements and measures are fit for purpose. We encourage proposals that seek to examine how global technological developments are affecting geopolitics and, in particular, how the strategies of the United States, China, Russia and European countries are evolving to meet the technology challenge.

Profile

The successful applicant must:

hold a Master’s degree in international relations, social sciences or law with excellent study results

be fully fluent in English (proficiency in Dutch and/or other official languages of the EU will be considered an asset)
have a thorough knowledge of international affairs, public policy or European studies

Offer

We offer employment as a full-time doctoral researcher.

Contract: full-time research grant for one year, renewable on an annual basis for a maximum of four years. Extension of the contract is subject to the agreement of the doctoral committee and the Board of the Brussels School of Governance. Remuneration is at the level of a full-time research assistant at a Flemish university (i.c. approximately 2.000 euros net income / month) and includes contributions for social security. Secondary employment is not allowed.

At least one (co)promotor of the project must be from the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS). Co-supervision from other Belgian or foreign universities is encouraged. Successful candidates are expected to base themselves in Brussels to work at VUB premises. Office space and equipment will be provided along with a budget for travelling and other research-related expenses.

The PhD researcher will be expected to devote most of her/his time to research; additional tasks will include occasional teaching activities, event organisation and contributions to the overall development of CSDS (including the support of major research projects). The researcher will prepare papers, attend conferences and produce research publications as (s)he carries out the PhD. The BSoG is committed to creating and supporting a diverse work

environment and is an equal opportunity employer.

How to apply

The PhD candidate will be selected on the basis of the quality of the project proposal, her/his expertise, motivation, work experience and qualifications. The following application documents are to be consolidated into a single PDF file sent per email to jobs_bsog@vub.be (subject heading: “CSDS PhD Call 2022 ADDYOURSURNAME”)

Completed application form (download it here)
One-page motivation letter explaining the candidate’s interest in pursuing a PhD on the chosen topic
Curriculum vitae listing academic qualifications, relevant research experience and previous publications.
Project proposal featuring a literature review, a research question and proposed hypotheses, a methodological outline and indicative planning, condensed into no more than 2,500 words.
Copy of the highest obtained diploma and transcript of academic grades

Contact details (email and telephone) of two referees who are able to comment on the candidate’s academic merit and character.

The deadline for applications is 15 May 2022.

Short-listed candidates will be informed in the second half of May and interviews with top-listed candidates are expected to take place in June/early July. The successful candidate can start as of 1 October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further information

For further inquiries, please visit the page of the CSDS Research Centre and contact CSDS Director Prof. Dr. Luis Simon (luis.simon@vub.be) and BSoG Vice Dean for Research Alexander Mattelaer (alexander.mattelaer@vub.be) if necessary.

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CSDS-Asia Matters Podcast: Asia’s Response to the War in Ukraine

Ilya Pijpen — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 06:00:51 +0000

This episode examines the responses of three of Asia’s most prominent nations to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Japan, India, and Korea. The war has not only brought dreadful suffering to the Ukrainian people, as well as heavy losses for the Russian army – it has also upended many of the assumptions that have guided international relations for decades. Indeed, it’s arguably the biggest change to the geopolitical order since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Joining Andrew Peaple to discuss the topic are two familiar voices from the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Brussels School of Governance: Eva Pejsova, senior Japan fellow at CSDS, and Ramon Pacheco Pardo, who holds the Korea chair at the Centre. And to discuss the implications for India, Garima Mohan joins the show. She is a fellow in the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where she leads work on India. Listen to the podcast episode and get the transcript:

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Annual Report 2019 Released

Ilya Pijpen — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 06:00:37 +0000

In 2019, the Institute for European Studies (now: Brussels School of Governance) was honoured to bring four PhDs to fruition: Sara Silvestre (PhD in Political Science), Max Jansson (PhD in Law), Carla Mascia (PhD in Political Science) and Stephan Klose (PhD in Political Science). The school organised 59 events and produced 104 publications, and continued to expand and now counts 108 people or 52.4 full-time equivalents.

In 2019, scholars took part in a total of 175 media appearances. Moreover, the Institute was successful in obtaining externally funded projects. At the end of the year, no less than 35 external projects were conducted by scholars, whereas an additional 14 projects were funded through our own budget.

Research output contributed significantly to a range of prominent policy developments, like the EU and Flemish policies to achieve CO2 neutrality in the coming decades.

The Institute’s leading advanced Master programmes deliberated 40 new graduates that have now obtained life membership to our 1250+ alumni group.

In 2019, the IES as well as the VUB strengthened its links with the University of Warwick and United Nations University – UNU-CRIS. Also, intra-VUB collaboration was further increased, in particular between the IES and Vesalius College. The Annual report 2019 is now available online.

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CSDS-Asia Matters Podcast: Women’s Lives In Modern China

Ilya Pijpen — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 07:00:33 +0000

On the eve of International Women’s Day, we’re bringing you a special podcast in collaboration with King’s College London’s Lau China Institute, looking at the lives of women in China today.

In this episode we look at the challenges facing young Chinese women in balancing their jobs and home lives, and the prejudices they often face in the workplace, with a particular look at the effects of China’s massive internal migration in recent years.

What kind of position do women hold in the modern Chinese state? How has the country’s extraordinary economic growth over the last few decades affected them both professionally and socially? With the birth rate in China having dropped to its lowest level on record, what impact is the government’s push to increase it having on women?

To answer these questions and more, we spoke to Ye Liu, a senior lecturer in international development at King’s College London. Her research has focused on education and gender inequalities in China.

She was joined by Deborah Davis, professor of sociology at Yale University, whose 2014 book, ‘Wives, Husbands and Lovers’ focused on marriage and sexuality in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and urban China.

Over the course of the year we’ll be bringing you a special series of China focused episodes, working with the Lau China Institute, the largest centre of its kind in the UK. It exists to build a greater understanding of China, both in the UK and across the globe through education, research and outreach. To find out more, please visit www.kcl.ac.uk/LCI. Listen here:

Download the transcript CSDS-Asia Matters Podcast 2202.pdf

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