The 1st Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2006) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “CHANGES ARISING FROM THE EU MEMBER CANDIDATE STATUS”.

The 2nd Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2007) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “BRINGING EUROPE IN: DIFFERENT MECHANISMS OF EUROPEANIZATION TREATY”

The 3rd Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2008) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “GLOBALIZATION OF THE REGION:EU PERSPECTIVES AS A CHALLENGE”.

The main expectations of the Third Annual Conference on EU Integration are based on the previously defined experiences having in mind increasingly important components of modern post-industrial knowledge-based economies. Dealing with the most important challenges and transformations regarding new tendencies and relations, the Organizing Committee of the Conference of EU Integration 2008 has decided to put on the table a great deal of open questions. Dedicated to promoting the appropriate practices, and fully supporting the progress of recent years, this Conference will try to contribute to the study of different issues more closely and to work actively on advocating further research, disseminate best theories and practices, and collect studies and knowledge in different fields of interest.

The 4th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2009) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “EUROPE IN CRISES: THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES”.

This inter- and multi-disciplinary one-day conference explored the current global crisis and its consequences for the future of European integration. The underlying assumption was that such a crisis poses threats to existing structures, values and achievements, but also opens opportunities for critical reassessment and improved solutions to exigent problems. The aim of the conference was to emphasize and explore the contribution that academia can make to catalyse an adequate response to the crisis. It started with determining first the nature of the crisis in which Europe was in 2009 and identifying possible overseen warnings as a tool to predict and prevent similar crisis in the future. The outcome of the crisis, not being clear at all, caused experts to take sides and communicate optimistic and pessimistic views for the end of 2010 and beyond. So, possible scenarios were discussed ranging from a worse case scenario-protectionism to following risk-averse industries and their governance models with a common conclusion that there is no universal solution. In this conference however, the crisis was given a local and domestic context discussing the case of Macedonia and the Balkans. Experts from eight countries expressed their views as well as relevant professionals who gave the opening speech at the conference: Mr. Ivica Bocevski, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, His Excellency Mr. Bernard Valero, French Ambassador to Macedonia and Mr. Juan Carlos Fernandez Zara, Regional Program Manager of IFC Corporate Governance Program in Southern Europe.

The 5th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2010) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “EUROPE AFTER THE LISBON TREATY”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 19 May 2010.

The aim of the conference was to deliberate on the future of the EU after the Treaty of Lisbon. The adoption of this act has raised hopes as well as concerns as to whether the EU will emerge as a stronger, more cohesive and more effective player, both inwardly and outwardly. In this regard, the debate was illustrated by variety of concepts, theoretical perspectives as well as empirical studies that reflected upon these issues. The conference recognized the Lisbon Treaty’s fundamental value in the structure of 21st century Europe and its role in the globalized world. The Treaty in this context has introduced a variety of actors and mechanisms which enhance the prospects of the EU and its CFSP. Notably, the extent to which a delicate balance of interests and visions between these common actors and the EU member states is found regarding sovereignty will determine the integrative and policy relevance of the Lisbon Treaty. This is best seen in the case of the Balkans. As the further integration of the region is more or less an interest of all EU members than the post-Lisbon CFSP can play leading role in these processes. Conforming to this, the baroness Ashton has recently given impetus to this process. Speaking in a normative, but hopefully not idealistic, fashion, she stressed: “the Balkans is the birthplace of EU foreign policy. More than anywhere else, it is where we cannot afford to fail”.

The 6th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2011) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “CONSTRUCTING EUROPE AS A GLOBAL POWER: FROM MARKET TO IDENTITY?”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 19 May 2011.

The aim of our conference was to explore the idea of the European Union as a global power. A single market and harmonized legal system have been considered key achievements of the pan-European project for decades. The underlying assumption of the conference is that the time has come for the EU to go a step further – that it must construct a sense of shared values and political identity, if it wants to sustain global relevance. What sort of identity should this be? As a host institution, we aim to emphasize that academia can catalyze an adequate response to this challenge.

Major issues included:

  • What kind of values does the EU need – besides single market and legal personality – to develop its internal cohesion and emerge as a global power?
  • Multiculturalism, up to now the default strategy in Western Europe to manage cultural diversity, is increasingly under attack. Does the EU need a new narrative to augment attractiveness of its integration model in its vital dimensions?
  • The EU introduced revolutionary changes that in just 50 years have transformed a continent from total war to perpetual peace. How do the Balkans fit into that?

The 7th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2012) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “EUROPE2020: TOWARDS INNOVATION AND INCLUSIVE UNION”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 14 May 2012.

In the time of tremendous challenges ever more people on the continent are provoked to reconsider the viability of the pan-European project. The prime goal of the UACS 7th international conference on European integration was to analyse the key threats to the political and institutional architecture of the Union offering sustainable solutions for Europe at the crossroad.

Researchers examined cross-sectional examinations of the key drivers behind the negative trends in the various areas from finance, economy, social cohesion and environment to education, media and culture. The basic point of departure is our belief that the nations of Europe possess the capabilities to reshape the Union by 2020 and reinvent the attractiveness of the EU model, which is so far considered the most successful instance of economic and political integration in the history of humankind.

Major issues included:

  • Europe more deeply integrated in a political, economic and financial areas as a solution to the debt and Euro crises or revival of economic nationalisms on the continent;
  • Improving higher educational policies and creation of a knowledge society in order to cope with the global competition;
  • Re-shaping of supra-national European institutions, reducing their democratic deficit and consequently containing Euro-skepticism;
  • Making multicultural practices an asset, not an obstacle towards building more inclusive communities;
  • Western Balkan countries between domestic reform inertia and distracted EU.

The 8th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2013) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “OUT OF THE CRISIS: EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICIES RECONSIDERED”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 16 May 2013.

The European Union is slowly emerging from the deepest economic recession in its history. Long-standing challenges like insufficient growth and population ageing have been coupled with fiscal instability and deep fissures within the euro-zone. Competitiveness and unemployment indicators place the EU behind its main global rivals. Moreover, the crisis has put in doubt the overall political architecture and economic governance of the Union. With millions of citizens unemployed, to amend inequalities and sustain a democratic and social Europe have become issues of legitimacy for the European political elite and for the whole project of united Europe. While member states tend to keep the main focus on national interests and well-being of their citizens, EU’s politico-economic model as a pole of attraction for the aspirant countries is clearly in decline.

This inter- and multi-disciplinary conference sought to reconsider the current EU complexities across diverse policy areas and suggest perspectives on growth and ways leading out of the crisis.

Major issues included:

  • Austerity or Growth Union?
  • How to amend state structures to sustain economic growth in Europe?
  • Scientific and technological achievements, renewable energy sources and sustainable growth
  • How to save the euro, or the EU without the euro?
  • Synergy of competitive capitalism and the welfare state: setting an integrated socio-economic agenda
  • EU funds: assessing their scope and effectiveness
  • Economic rationale behind investments in education and human capital in general
  • EU Cohesion Policy reconsidered: perspectives on regional and urban development
  • How to overcome the democratic deficit in the EU
  • EU integration and enlargement: opportunities for success vs. likely alternatives to the project
  • The times of crisis have always presented a chance for the academic world to offer constructive response so as to catalyze positive change.

The 9th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2014) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “the Europe of tomorrow: creative, digital, integrated”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 15 May 2014.

his inter- and multi-disciplinary one-day conference sought to explore potential vistas for building a strong European Union – one that capitalizes on creativity, innovation and digital technologies while strengthening its core political values of freedom, solidarity and integration. Major issues included, but were not limited to:
  • CREATIVE:
    • Investments in the cultural and creative sectors significantly contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation and social cohesion.
    • http://ec.europa.eu/culture/creative-europe/
  • DIGITAL:
    • The use of information communication technologies (ICTs) could help reduce the negative impact on the environment, contribute to productivity growth, jobs and competitiveness, and overall improve social inclusion.
    • http://www.digital-eu.org/
    • http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/digital-agenda-europe
  • INTEGRATED:
    • European commitment to the EU future of Western Balkan states
    • Internal problems of consolidation following the adoption of the Lisbon treaty and the European financial crisis
    • Bridging the North-South divide within Europe
    • Developing the European Neighborhood Policy in times of Eurosceptic critique of democratic deficiency
    • Economic, political, regional and migration issues concerning the future of European integration
    • Strengthening freedom, security and justice in Europe

The 10th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2015) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “European Integration – New Prospects”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 21 May 2015.

The major goal of the conference was to take an in-depth look into the state of affairs concerning the vital layers of European architecture. This conference explored new and alternative prospects of European integration from a critical and forward looking perspective – one that goes beyond the stalemate in the internal debate and the controversies over the future enlargement. As a host institution, UACS aimed to emphasize that academia might catalyze an adequate response to the challenges of re-establishing the European Union as a role model not only for the nations on the continent.

Major issues addressed included, but were not limited to:

  • Achieving economic growth, creating jobs, building social cohesion
  • Refugee and migration challenges: open societies or Fortress Europe
  • Secessionism within the EU
  • Freezing the enlargement process – a solution or additional problem?
  • Digital tools for achieving political participation and social equality
  • European education: challenges to the Bologna process
  • The growing importance of cities as engines of economic, regional and territorial development

The 11th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2017) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “Borders, Imagined and Real”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 26 May 2016.

The major goal of the conference was to take an in-depth examination of the concepts of borders and boundaries, as well as the acts of crossing them. This conference especially sought to explore the development and growth of real or imagined borders which through the years have demonstrated to have strong presence and impact on societies, their development and growth. With this academic conference we sought to raise awareness of the importance of the study of borders, whether they are territorial or policy-driven, by looking into their dynamic structures and elements. The aim of this conference was also to explore new and alternative scenarios of shaping and visualization of borders versus the concept of European integration from a critical and forward looking perspective.

Major issues included, but were not limited to:

  • Old and new borders on the European continent: trends of secession and integration
  • Challenges to regional, cross-border and trans-border cooperation in Europe
  • Open vs. closed borders: free movement, migration control, and the future of the Schengen Agreement
  • Border security and management
  • Dealing with social, ethnic, linguistic and religious boundaries within Europe
  • Overcoming the digital divide
  • Education without borders: transnational exchange and mobility programs
  • Economic boundaries in the age of globalization
  • Historical, philosophical and cultural perspectives on the concept of borders

The 12th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2017) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “Rethinking migration, economic growth and solidarity in Europe”.

The conference was held in Skopje on 25 May 2017.

This inter- and multi-disciplinary one-day conference sought to re-examine the current situation in Europe, and to discuss scenarios of its future. In particular, it aims to juxtapose and rethink the concepts of migration, economic growth and solidarity in Europe. Following the Brexit vote amidst an ongoing migration crisis, many pose the question about the future of the European Union. While it is difficult to predict how the greatest political project in history will alter under existential pressures both from within and from without, it becomes necessary to consider the general trends, to foresee the consequences, and to offer elucidations which go beyond incited fears, continuing prejudice, or short-term interests.

Major issues included, but were not limited to:

  • Dealing with migrants and refugees at and within EU borders
  • Discussions around European solidarity, migration, and security
  • Economic predictions for the EU and its member states
  • EU enlargement and the Western Balkans
  • The impact of Brexit on the EU and the UK
  • European security and responses to terrorism
  • The rise of conservatism in Europe
  • Innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in Europe
  • Youth programs and transnational education exchange

The 13th Annual International Academic Conference on European integration (AICEI2018) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “Europe and the Balkans”. The conference was held in Skopje on 17 May 2018.

This inter and multi-disciplinary conference sought to re-examine the complex construct of the Balkans in the European political and cultural imagination. Though claimed by the local nations as ‘the cradle of civilization’, for Western imagining the region has featured as ‘part of Europe, yet not of it’ (M. Mazower). The negative demi-orientalizing discourse which stigmatized the Balkans as a vortex of stagnation and violence, that is – ‘an incomplete self’ of Europe (M. Todorova) has been thought to fade away with the integration of the Balkan countries into the European Union. Nevertheless, the term ‘Western Balkans’, invented as a seeming mask of political correctness, testifies to the prevailing prejudice and to the obstacles to the process of European integration.

In November 2015, the European Commission set out a medium-term strategy for EU enlargement. Still, the challenges faced by the EU continue on various fronts, as there are multiple crises with destabilizing potential not only in Europe, but also globally. The six Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, though united by the common goal of joining the EU, still face divisions, both infrastructural and political. The so-called ‘Berlin process’ (consisting of high-level meetings between 2014 and 2018) aiming to reaffirm the region’s EU perspective by improving cooperation and economic stability within it, reflects important aspects of the relationship between Europe and the Balkans.

At the backdrop of new EU realities following the Brexit vote and the migration crisis, this conference considered this relationship by addressing key issues, like:

  • (Re)imagining the Balkans: Western recycled cultural and political constructs of the region in art, literature, film, media and the public discourse in general
  • Reconsidering the prevailing negative discourses of Byzantinism and Balkanism
  • Deconstructing the ‘Western Balkans’ stigma of stagnation and instability
  • Geopolitical issues: the Balkans amidst the USA, the EU and Russia
  • Geopolitical and other open issues among the Balkan states, including the regional aspirations of Turkey
  • The Berlin process: a new framework for regional cooperation and reconciliation
  • The 2017 Trieste Summit, the 2018 London Summit and beyond: aims, effects and perspectives
  • Energy infrastructure, transportation connectivity and economic integration
  • Challenges to doing business in South East Europe
  • Minority-majority relations
  • Youth cooperation and regional initiatives
  • Scientific cooperation and education exchange, especially with and within South East Europe

The 14th annual international academic conference on European integration (AICEI2019) was organized by University American College Skopje and University of Rome Tor Vergata on the topic “INNOVATING EUROPE”. The conference was held in Skopje on 16 May 2019.

This inter- and multi-disciplinary conference sought to examine the concept of innovation affecting all areas of life and all aspects of future European development. Taking into consideration the pressing need to find innovative economic, social and political solutions to evolving challenges to the European project, this conference critically reflected on EU innovation policies, methodologies and instruments by addressing key issues, in particular:

  • New EU economy prospects
  • Business innovations
  • The future of skills
  • Cross-industry innovations
  • Public sector innovations
  • Social innovations
  • Innovative schooling and education models
  • Non-technological innovation and innovation in the services sector
  • Technological breakthroughs
  • New processes and business models
  • Startups and entrepreneurship
  • Small and medium size enterprises
  • Family businesses
  • Challenges to innovation, in particular in South East Europe
  • Digital transformation
  • Innovative youth cooperation and regional initiatives

The 15th annual international academic conference on European integration (AICEI2020) was organized by University American College Skopje on the topic “CLIMATE CHANGE: CHALLENGES AND BUILDING RESILIENCE”. The conference was held in Skopje on 21 May 2019.

This multi-disciplinary conference aims to bring together leading academics, researchers, research scholars, individuals and non-governmental organizations, to exchange and discuss their experience and views on all aspects of climate change and prospects of building resilience. It seeks to examine the effects of climate change on every aspect of the individual, social and global functioning. Taking into consideration the pressing need to undertake action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, this conference aims to critically reflect on the thoughts, actions and ideas that may raise awareness, knowledge and motivation to combat this global threat.

This year the conference welcomed both paper and poster presentations by scholars and professionals from any related field, contributions by doctoral candidates to the doctoral colloquium and situational analyses of non-governmental organizations to the Special Session on NGOs and Climate Change.

The topics of the conference included:

  • Track 1 – Business, Economy, Finance and Innovation
    • The role of businesses to respond to climate change and support resilience;
    • Green energy – impact, challenges and future considerations;
    • Challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurial firms;
    • Role of the business sector in developing, adapting and delivering climate ready solutions
    • Finance industry and its prospects in funding climate change adaptation projects
    • The role of innovative firms in creating environmental actions
    • Are family firms more “green” than non - family firms?
    • The role of social enterprises in combating climate change
    • Climate change insurance and risk transfer
    • Risk management in climate-sensitive sectors
    • Waste management as a business opportunity;
    • Digital transformation
    • Challenges to innovation, in particular in South East Europe
  • Track 2 – Policy, Justice, Governance and Ethics
    • Facilitating the implementation of the Paris Agreement requirements
    • Governance, climate justice and ethics
    • Legal implications, changes in the legislation on Europe and in CEFTA;
    • Legal rights, rights of citizens as declared by national constitutions and EU directives
    • Social and political solutions to environmental challenges;
    • The role of state in the creation and implementing of “green policies”
    • Local “green initiatives” and local self-governance;
    • Evolving challenges to the European project,
    • Analyses of waste management regulations: current state and perspectives
    • The role of social entrepreneurship and social innovations in modern “green “economy”
    • The role of “green” political parties
    • Innovative youth cooperation and regional initiatives
    • Innovative schooling and education models that is environmentally conscious
  • Track 3 - Health and Society
    • Impact of climate change on society and human health;
    • Mental and physical wellbeing and climate change
    • Climate change, poverty and wellbeing
    • Increasing human resiliency to disasters
    • Temperature-related health impacts,
    • Impact of air quality on human health and wellbeing ,
    • Vector-borne diseases,
    • Water-borne illnesses,
    • Changes and challenges of nutrition with focus on climate change affected communities,
    • Impact of climate change on mental health and populations of concern.
  • Track 4 – Water-energy-food-agriculture nexus;
    • Practical methods and policy guidelines for creating sustainable agriculture and forestry
    • practical methods and policy guidelines that enhance resilience in food safety and production
    • Weather and climate information and impact on agricultural production and planning
    • Adaptive capacities agricultural communities
    • Challenges for the future of rural livelihoods
    • technological solutions for water management
    • Water quality and quantity
  • Track 5 – Urban planning, energy and infrastructure
    • Innovation in urban planning and architectural design related to climate change;
    • Water supply and sanitation
    • Transport
    • Energy efficiency and conservation
    • Renewable energy sources
    • Biofuel and bioenergy
  • Track 6 – Global challenges
    • UN Sustainable development goals
    • Climate change-induced migration/ Climate migrants
    • Responses and challenges of the Paris Agreement targets
    • Issues of security and conflict
    • Solutions for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic public health and socio-economic impact. According to the World Health Organization, since December 31st, 2019, more than 106 million cases and 2 million global deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. Although the pandemic is continuing to affect all segments of the population, it has a disproportional health and socio-economic impact on members of those social groups in the most vulnerable situations, such as people living in poverty, older persons, persons with disabilities, youth and unemployed., For the first time in 20 years a reversal in global poverty success has occurred with the total COVID-19-induced new poor in 2020 is estimated to be between 119 and 124 million. The International Labor Organization reported on an unprecedented impact on the workplace. There were unparalleled global employment losses in 2020 of 114 million jobs relative to 2019, with disproportionally higher rates for women in young workers. Additionally, at the start of 2021, 93 per cent of the world’s workers continue to reside in countries with some form of workplace closures in place with global labor income is estimated to have declined by 8.3 per cent in 2020 relative to 2019.

This unleashing of a new era of change for individuals, societies, economies and cultures requires urgent and tailored socio-eco¬nomic responses to prevent escalation of global suffering. Unfortunately, the pandemic has brought with itself a new set of unforeseen and fast-growing variables which most crises planning were not able to anticipate. According to the UN, if not properly addressed through policy actions, the health, social and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic may result in increased inequality, exclusion, discrimination and global unemployment in the medium and long term. Although the latest developments regarding vaccine approvals present a light at the end of the tunnel, ILO highlights that the actual speed and quality of the recovery will depend on a wide range of political, economic and health factors, including the extent of vaccination, how countries continue to control the pandemic, and whether policy measures can be maintained to promote economic and labor market recovery. Therefore, in order for effective decisions to be made that will foster this recovery, a better and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the evolving situation is needed. The conference is planned to be held as a virtual event. However, depending on the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be organized as a hybrid event. Participants will be asked to choose their preferred mode of participation.

University American College Skopje (UACS) is proud to announce its Sixteenth Annual International Conference on European Integration – AICEI2021. By addressing the theme (to be confirmed) this year’s conference seeks to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on societies, economies, business and individual and public health as fundamental concepts that foster the recovery responses of European countries and globally, to ensure that “no one is left behind in this effort”.

By providing a platform for the academics, researchers, community and government participants and students to share their research findings with the global experts, AICEI2021 will explore the observed impact of COVID-19 and opportunities for building sustainability of the following segments:

  1. Health
    • Decreasing community spread and individual risk
    • Mental health impact of the pandemic including stress and anxiety
    • Changes in life expectancy
    • Chronic disease and COVID-19
    • COVID-19 vaccines
  2. Business, Finance and Economy
    • Sustainability of Small and Medium Sized enterprises
    • Workforce management
    • Restructuring of jobs and work arrangements (special focus on teleworking)
    • How organizations changed
    • Unemployment and its impact on job seeking and hiring
    • Career development
    • Consumption patterns, consumer behavior, marketing strategies and sales tactics
    • Social entrepreneurship
    • Innovations to overcome the crisis
    • Financial exit from COVID-19
  3. Society and culture
    • Segmentations and polarization of societies due to pandemic
    • Race and Ethnicity
    • Gender and diversity
    • Families
    • Vulnerable groups
    • Educational impact of the pandemic
  4. Environment
    • Air, land, chemical and water pollution
    • Food sustainability
    • Utilization of public and shared spaces
  5. Education
    • Blended learning and its effects
    • Investigations into online learning
  6. Political effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
  7. Architecture
    • Post-pandemic cities