Europe’s judicial and political institutions are bewildering. Yet as Europe is so much in the news, it is necessary for teachers, students and those interested in the UK’s place within Europe to understand the differences between the Council of Europe with 47 members and the the European Union with 27 members.  These international organisations are made up of a host of international institutions such as the Parliamentary Assemby and the European Parliament . Have you wondered about  the different  functions of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg?  Here is an article -Europe’s Highest Courts_The Economist 7 May 2011 which sheds some light on the various roles these institutions.  The economic crisis is on everyone’s minds; for a good overall explanation and for more information see the BBC website about the Eurozone 

We are delighted that our partner  Chatham House is now providing schools, universities and institutional members with free copies of World Today, on a two monthly basis, through TEAM.  Chatham House, formally known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a  charity based in London. Its mission is to be a leading source of independent analysis, informed debate and influential ideas on how to build a prosperous and secure world for all. See wikipedia entry for Chatham House.

 

 

Three Courts Study Tour 5th – 8th December 2011

TEAM’s tour across three European countries (France, Luxembourg and Germany) took participants to The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg and The German Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe.

The study tour’s first stop was The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg, which is the judicial institution of the European Union (EU) consisting of 27 countries. TEAM attended a case hearing and was addressed by the British Advocate General, Eleanor Sharpston QC and by Judge Schiemann.

Our second stop was Strasbourg. We were given a guided tour of the Council of Europe (not to be confused with the EU!), which consists of 47 countries including Turkey and Russia. Participants understood the significance of the Council of Europe in terms of protecting and developing a culture of human rights and democracy across virtually the entire European continent. There were Q & A sessions with officials working in and with the Council including Ambassador Eleanor Fuller, UK Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe.  We also had a good lunch in the Portuguese Gallery of the staff restaurant with Daniel Holtgen, Director of Communications, and Sophie Lobey, Head of Publications.

 A highlight of the trip to Strasbourg was a visit to The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which is one of the institutions of the Council of Europe. After seeing a film about the Court entitled “The Conscience of Europe,”  we were given a presentation on the role and work of the Court by Michelle Lafferty, a court lawyer. The Court’s Registrar, Roderick Liddell talked to us about the workings of the court and some of the cases including recent British judgements.

In Karlsruhe, Germany there was a guided tour and explanation of the role of the German Constitutional Court by one of the judges, Judge Friederika Lange, and her colleague.  Participants learnt about some of the differences and similarities between the German and the British judicial systems at the higher levels.  There was much talk of recent judgments from the two European Courts which raise constitutional issues for the Federal Republic.

During the evenings, participants enjoyed good food and some of Europe’s most beautiful and magical Christmas markets.

Thirty people including university professors, teachers and law/European politics students attended the study tour which was led by Dr. Martyn Bond, Visiting Professor of European Politics and Policy at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is co-author of The Council of Europe and Human Rights – an Introduction to the European Convention on Human Rights.

” The tour was immensely enjoyable and stimulating” – David Snoxell, participant

“This was one of the best academically-related tours I have ever attended.  I am still infused by this fantastic tour.” January 2012, Paul Teeton, Politics Teacher