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Since the beginning of the 2000s, we have witnessed the European Union (EU) becoming increasingly involved in directly supporting peace negotiations in a variety of inter- and intra-state conflicts by taking on the role of a third-party mediator. By introducing the 2009 Concept on Strengthening EU Mediation and Dialogue Capacities, the EU has further institutionalised mediation as an incremental component of its Common Foreign and Security Policy’s (CFSP) toolkit. However, the EU’s role as an actor in international mediation, and in particular its effectiveness, are considerably under-researched.

Thanks to the generous funding by the German Foundation for Peace Research (Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung, DSF), Prof. Dr. Arne Niemann and Julian Bergmann  will conduct a two-year research project on “A Peacemaker in the Making? The European Union as an Actor in International Mediation” to investigate the EU’s role as mediator in peace negotiations. The research project, which builds upon a previously conducted pilot study, pursues three main objectives. First, we aim to better understand how and in what ways the EU has been involved in international mediation activities. Second, we assess the extent to which the EU constitutes an effective mediator in peace negotiations. Third, we seek to explain different degrees of EU mediator effectiveness.

In addition, an important objective of this project is to use the insights gained from the analytical and explanatory components of the project as a basis for knowledge transfer from science to practice, and to establish a policy dialogue with relevant actors. The insights of our project will be used to identify ‘lessons learnt’ from EU mediation efforts, and to give clear-cut recommendations for the further development of a more systematic approach to mediation with regard to capacity-building and accumulation of expertise. The project runs from February 2015 to January 2017 and is funded through a 100.000€ grant by the German Foundation for Peace Research (Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung, DSF).

Proposals are now being accepted for papers to be presented at the “EU in the World” Graduate Conference, which will be held at the University of Mainz on 9-10 January 2015.

The Jean Monnet Chair for European Integration Studies together with the Institute of Political Science at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz invites junior scholars of European studies, international relations, political science, security studies and neighboring disciplines to engage in a two day graduate conference on the role of the EU in world politics.

In the 21^st century, global interactions and interdependencies are evolving faster than ever before. New and different forms and interactions between actors (states, supranational institutions, and non-state actors) emerge. In this dynamic environment the role, as well as the ambition of the EU change. The Lisbon Treaty – by introducing a single legal personality of the EU – may provide a new framework for the promotion of the EU’s values and interests globally in multiple arenas and settings (including international organisations, bi- and multilateral fora). In this effort the EU uses established as well as innovative forms of cooperation and interaction in areas such as security, energy, diplomacy, climate, economic competitiveness, trade and humanitarian aid.

The changing interactions between world regions and the rise of new global players also lead to the renegotiation of existing relations and give rise to major political, institutional, economic and social challenges. New geopolitical relations, (violent) conflicts and threats in the immediate EU neighbourhood have emerged, hinting towards the potential weakening of the link between interdependence and stability of the European/international system.

For EU studies, this constitutes an impulse for scholarly reflection and research of these developments focusing on improving the understanding of these complex developments. This broad theme encompasses the dynamic interplay between the EU, its member states and external partners in various policy areas, with particular attention paid to the following areas/topics:

1. The EU as a global security actor
2. The EU as a an economic actor (trade and development)
3. EU relations with emerging and great(er) powers
4. EU neighborhood policy
5. EU and world regionalism / worldwide regional integration
6. The EU as an environmental actor in world politics

The aim of the Graduate Conference is to provide a stimulating discussion forum and meeting place for junior scholars of EU studies – especially in the area of EU foreign relations. The Graduate Conference will bring together junior and senior scholars in order to provide junior scholars feedback and impulses for advancement of their work. The conference will include a panel/session on how to get published where more advanced academics will share their experience.

Proposals are welcome from graduate students in early and/or advanced phases of their studies. Preference will be given to papers (1) presenting significant contribution to and advancement of existent theoretical approaches to EU external policy, and/or (2) papers based on original fieldwork or empirical research in this field.

Deadline for submission of abstracts is 19 October 2014. Please submit your abstracts (approximately 200-300 words), including title of proposed paper, author's name, institutional affiliation, position/occupation/degree program, year of (postgraduate) study, and contact email address, per email to Prof. Arne Niemann (arne.niemann@uni-mainz.de AND Dr. Petra Guasti (guasti@uni-mainz.de).

Notification of acceptance will be sent by 24 October 2014. The deadline for submission of full papers: is 22 December 2014. (Paper should normally be 6,000 – 9,000 words).

There is funding available for participants' accommodation during their stay in Mainz and partial contribution to travel costs. Limited number of travel grants will be available - subject to selection based on the acceptance of paper proposal, expressed need and the financial resources available.