The schools of political studies

A priority for the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe schools of political studies were established to train future generations of political, economic, social and cultural leaders in countries in transition. They run annual courses of seminars and conferences on topics such as European integration, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and globalisation, with the participation of national and international experts.
Since the creation of the first School of Political Studies in Moscow in 1992, by a group of civil society activists seeking to promote democratic values, a number of others have been set up along the same lines and there is now a network of 16 schools covering the whole of East and South-Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.

Council of Europe Schools of Political Studies are NGOs set up under the legislation of the country in which they are located. Participants are young leaders (average age 35) in the public and private sectors, selected according to their level of social or professional responsibility, taking account of relevant political, social, cultural and ethnic factors in each country. The main themes studied by Schools of Political Studies aim to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

27-29 June 2011, 6th Summer University for Democracy

Around 500 participants from the network of Schools of Political Studies from the Council of Europe, as well as experts and personnalities from the whole world attended the 6th edition of the Summer University for Democracy, that was held from 27 to 29 June 2011 in Strasbourg.

This sixth session on "Ethics and Politics" addressed the issue of ethics, often ignored in politics, the business world and the media, especially in times of crisis.

How can we reconcile the citizens with politics and restaure their confidence towards the leaders? Can education contribute to reduce the lack of ethics? How can we preserve politics, the economy or the media from corruption and greed? These are the main topics that will be discussed during the conferences and round tables of the Summer University for Democracy.

For further information, please contact Mr François Friederich, programme co-ordinator: francois.friederich@coe.int

Programme

European Association of the Schools of Political Studies

In July 2008, the Directors of the Schools of Political Studies founded the European Association of Schools of Political Studies to strengthen ties, foster their development and support the Council of Europe’s activities to promote the schools’ network.
The association is non-profit-making and has no political or religious aims. It is governed by a Board made up of the Directors of schools of political studies of the Council of Europe network and three to ten members elected by the General Assembly for four years. Catherine Lalumière, former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, was elected Chair of the association.

Launch of European Association of the Schools of Political Studies
Contacts
Link to the Association' website: www.schoolsofpoliticalstudies.eu

* “All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.”