The Summer School on “European Union: Interests versus Culture”  (EUIC2012) is a one week program for undergraduate and postgraduate students of various nationalities and academic backgrounds (political science, sociology, media studies, anthropology and cultural studies, behavioural sciences, gender studies) from all parts of the world. The program is designed for those who are interested in and would like to learn more about the cultural aspects of political institutions and processes.

The program was launched in 2008 under the title Summer School on Cultural Dimensions of Politics in Europe (CDPE)  and attracted students from all over the world who were enthusiastic about Prague with its numerous cultural attractions and magic life-style. Our students were enjoying the lively and thought provoking atmosphere of the courses and benefited not only from formal classes but also from the possibilities of discussing their research interests with the teachers. We are very proud that one of our students - Charlotte de Kock (CDPE 2009) - published a book, which deals with the cultural aspects of EU politics: Charlotte de Kock, Cultural Politics in Europe and Intercultural Dialogue in the EU, 2010.

Here are some opinions of our students about the school:

“Thank you so much for some excellent lectures and I think I can say confidently that we all had a fantastic week in Prague overall. The summerschool was so well organised and our group could not have been nicer and a more interesting bunch to discuss these issues with!” (Amy Busby, UK, CDPE 2009 student)

“... it was so beneficial and so intriguing that time went by quickly and I enjoyed it so much.” (Anikó Kurucz, Hungary, CDPE 2009 student)

“It was my first experience of this sort, and I found the week not only intellectually stimulating, but also highly rewarding. I felt the combination of lecturers as well as students produced a truly unique experience for myself, and I feel very privileged to be a part of it.”

(Sarah Kerrigan, UK, CDPE 2009 student)

“I feel that my time here has been an amazing opportunity, I have met very interesting people, and to be able to sit down and engage in academic conversation without feeling excluded because I am not from here has really been great. [...] I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to generate discussions in class, I feel that is when the greatest ideas are thought of”

(Allison Carlson, Canada, CDPE 2009 student)

“Thanks ... for a well orgnanised programme. I don't think I have spoke to anyone who didn't enjoy it.”

(Ramiz Cizer, UK, CDPE 2008 student)

In 2012 we aim at drawing closer attention to the cultural dimensions of political institutions and processes in Europe (e.g. political communication, symbolism ad ritualism of power, migration in the EU). The European Union has come ever closer to defining its finalité politique, yet how this political body will perform largely depends on identities, values and cultural imageries shared by its citizens. The objective of the program is to equip students with most recent research findings on if and how contemporary European institutions and processes of Europeanization rely on values and deeply rooted cultural symbols which are capable of mobilizing people to action, (re)creating identities as well as rendering the EU policies and politics legitimate. Politics and policies of the EU are produced not only by the EU institutions but also through the sense-making practices of people who are involved in them either as an insider or a subject. The program will pay particular attention to the construction and use of lobbying strategies through the processes of communication that is fundamentally a cultural process. The program’s purpose is to also discuss how cultural aspects are related to political processes and how they could influence decision making in Europe.

The program’s ultimate goal is to allow students broadening their possibilities of interpreting political phenomena. It is aimed at providing students with the knowledge and analytical skills in the area of cultural analysis of political events, processes and institutions. The distinguished lecturers from Europe and the United States high rank universities will share their ideas with the students. The dialogue with the experts, practitioners and fellow students on the EUIC 2012 issues will allow the participants to cultivate their knowledge in the motivating intercultural milieu.