The proposed Chair planned to build on existing teaching and research programmes of the Centre forEuropean Studies as well as Energy Studies Programme at JNU. Being India’s major trade andinvestment partner, the EU has a significant economic presence in India. Still, most policy makersand business elite have relatively little understanding of internal dynamics of the EU economy.Despite perceptions that the EU and India hold opposite views on global norms concerning energysecurity and environment, both are facing similar challenges. These included diversification ofenergy mix and sources of supply. The post-graduate courses on “European EconomicIntegration” and ‘Energy Security in Europe” was suppose to provide deep understanding of internal Europeandynamics on these issues to future policy makers in India. The Chair planned further disseminate teaching and research findings on these issues through networking with think tanks,civil society organisations and other universities in India. The main objective of the proposed Chairwas to improve Indian understanding about contemporary European integration project and energysecurity which may result in positive EU-India ties. The Centre for European Studies is already anestablished and a leading Centre for EU and European studies in India. While explainingcontemporary economic and financial difficulties in Europe, the Chair also planned to raise awarenessabout strengths of European integration project. It was hoped that exposing Indian scholars and policy makers toEuropean perceptions of energy security and environment will help promoting bilateral cooperationin resolving global challenges. Apart from teaching, major outcomes was to have a dedicated websiteon EU developments in economic and energy related areas which are of direct concern to India. Other major deliverables from the Chair were young scholars workshops, roundtables, nationalseminar, talks on topics related to European affairs.

The proposed Jean Monnet Module on ‘Understanding European Integration through Regional Lens’ would build on existing teaching and research programmes of the Centre for European Studies, SIS, JNU. The European integration has ensured peace and enabled Europe to play a role in global politics much above the weight of individual states. Over the years EU integration has substantially widened and deepened. It’s success has prompted its promotion as a model worth sincere consideration for countries in South Asia where tensions run high on questions of border and simmering conflict and tension continue. In India by and large the study of Europe is largely focused on the big three in Europe and the European Union. However to understand the dynamics of EU integration and the challenges it faces today there is need to move beyond and look at other member states and regions. The primary objective of the proposed Module is to improve Indian understanding about the European integration project by broadening focus to Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic states, the Nordic states and the Mediterranean. This will familiarize Indian students with some of the current difficulties that European integration is facing, and also the coping strategies EU developed. Exposing Indian students, young teachers and policy makers to these regional variations/ specificities will enable development of comprehensive knowledge of Europe and European Union and go a long way in promoting bilateral cooperation and addressing common challenges of the globalized world. The module apart from running regular courses, will organize young researcher workshops, conference especially involving students and faculty from universities that do not run any EU programme to accomplish a resource multiplier effect. Participation of women and students from marginalized sections of society will be ensured. The regular courses continuing beyond the life of the module will ensure long-term impact.

The prime goal of this project is to enhance cross-sector understanding and exchange of art and culture between the EU and India. The bonhomie between the two entities could be nurtured by focusing on each other’s art and culture and thereby forming an interface of their values. The ratification of 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions highlights the principal values of the EU and India, including human rights, gender equality, democracy, freedom of expression and the rule of law, along with cultural and linguistic diversity. However, in relations between the 2 sides, the themes of art and culture takes a back seat and trade, terrorism, cyber security and energy etc. eclipses the ‘soft issues’ of art and culture. To foreground the importance of art and culture between the EU & India, so that it also becomes the discussion agenda, it is pertinent to spread awareness, knowledge and information regarding the same. In the past few years, the EU has focused on Cultural Diplomacy in its foreign policy. Any such policy requires a complete understanding of others’ cultures, not just old knowledge. Painting, handiworks, visual arts constitute an integral part of Indian culture, similarly for the EU. However, there has not been enough exploitation of the art and culture sectors between the EU and India. This project will attempt to create a network of cross-cultural artists, supporting young artists and experimental art forms that reflects the common values of EU and India. To achieve the aim of the cross-sector flow of art and culture, several activities and events are proposed. The strategy comprises of organisation of special lectures, training camps for the young artists, field trips, collaboration with embassies and cultural centres, collaboration between art schools, workshops, round table, conferences, seminars, discussions, exhibitions/shows centring around the common values that India and EU cherish.

The CEEUSI at JNU, one of the top ranking Universities in India, will give greater visibility to EU studies in South Asia. Under the guidance of Prof Gulshan Sachdeva, Jean Monnet Chair, the Centre for European Studies (CES) will administrate the CEEUSI, which has an established history of managing national and international projects. The CES is already a leading Centre of European studies in India. It has received 3 Jean Monnet Chairs and a Jean Monnet Module. The University Grants Commission of India has also recognised the CES as a leading department of Europe Area Studies. The rationale for the CEEUI is to create a much bigger platform of EU Studies in India compared to the exiting CES which broadly cover contemporary European economic, political, social and foreign policy issues. With the establishment CEEUSI network and its activities, the CES will be able to provide wider platform to other academic scholars and institutions in promoting EU related activities in India. Many of the CES alumni are teaching in prominent Indian universities viz. South Asian University, University of Delhi, Mangalore University, Pondicherry University, Central Universities of Gujarat etc. Similarly, apart from civil services and media, some of our scholars are actively engaged in Europe related research activities in prominent think tanks viz. Indian Council of World Affairs, Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, Observer Research Foundation. The CEEUSI will encourage and coordinate their EU related activities. The main activities of CEEUI will be structured around traditional methods (conferences, seminars, workshops, roundtables) and resulting publications. A regular website (with strong social media presence) will be created to disseminate these activities to the larger audience. All publications and modules resulting from these activities will be made freely available at the CEEUSI website. These activities will also improve the EU component of CES teaching and research.