University of Pittsburgh's European Studies Center Selected for 2014 EUCE Outstanding Outreach Activity Award

CHAMPAIGN — The European Union Center at the University of Illinois is pleased to announce that the University of Pittsburgh's European Studies Center has been awarded the European Union Centers of Excellence (EUCE) Outstanding Outreach Activity Award for their Conversations on Europe videoconference series. The Program was led by the Center’s Associate Director, Allyson Delnore. The EUCE Outstanding Outreach Activity Award was initiated by EU Center staff at Illinois to increase the awareness of excellent outreach projects conducted by the ten EU Centers of Excellence located throughout the United States.

The review committee—comprising representatives from the Bulgarian Consulate in Chicago (Consul General Simeon Stoilov), the Lithuanian Consulate in Chicago (Consul General Marijus Gudynas), the Romanian Consulate in Chicago (Consul General George Predescu) and the Delegation of the European Union to the United States—acknowledged the success of the University of Pittsburgh’s submission for the award. The University of Pittsburgh’s EUCE, along with the submitted activities of eight other centers, will be featured in promotional materials to be distributed domestically and throughout the European Union in an effort to promote EUCEs in the United States.

The Center's Conversations on Europe connect top experts from around the United States and Europe to discuss contemporary issues facing Europe. Using both personal and institutional videoconference technology, panelists take questions and interact with audiences at all sites. These events are open to the public. The Conversations are monthly interactive videoconferences on topics of transatlantic concern. Topics range from the Eurozone crisis, to EU-Middle Eastern relations, to the EU-US Free Trade agreement. Each Conversation is moderated by an on-site participant and panelists participate virtually from a number of remote locations. Students, faculty, and other interested parties participate at any off-site location and have the opportunity for questions and dialogue. The EUCE at the University of Pittsburgh hosts approximately six Conversations per year.