The EU, its Policies and Relations in Times of Transitions
Thursday and Friday, 5+6 June 2025, Macau
University of Macau
Joint organisers are EUSAAP, EUSA Macau, University of Macau (UM), Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM)
In the political sphere, the EU and the world are at a crossroads marked by wars in several continents (including in Europe), rising geopolitical tensions, the emergence of strong leaders in authoritarian regimes, an overall decline in democratic governance, and the growth of populist movements marring democratic states. In Europe, a new political cycle also opened with the 2024 elections determining a more fragmented European Parliament elections and a new European Commission at the dawn of 2024, possibly alongside different priorities in EU’s policies. 2025 also begins with a new American administration and many questions about the future of the old transatlantic alliances and cooperation, casting doubts on the long-standing relationship between the EU and the United States. Simultaneously, the position of the EU in the world and EU’s global influence seems to be less certain as other areas of the world also appear to experience a rebalancing of power, particularly with the consolidation or emergence of rising nationsor other regional experiences in the Asia-Pacific area, with ASEAN, BRICS, the Global South, and the increasing prominence of authoritarian regimes.
In the economic domain, uncertainties or need to operate fundamental transitions equally seem to prevail as the world grapples with economic crises, long-unseen inflation, also stagnations or outright recessions accompanied by the ongoing effects of a slowdown of globalization if not deglobalization as well as the paralysis of the WTO.
Sustainable development of states and societies remains a goal in the fast-approaching 2030 horizon, calling for other transitions in the way societies organize themselves. These aspirations are however also marred by the equally fast deepening climate changes, calling for other difficult but necessary transitions like the global decarbonization, the accelerated development of renewable resources, which is altering energy and industrial policies worldwide, and broader societal shifts towards sustainable lifestyles. Increasedecological and environmental awareness is driving policy changes at all levels, yet the struggle against pollution continues to challenge governments and citizens alike. Technological advancements, including the digital transition and the rise of artificial intelligence, also play a role in such set of uncertainties and transitions, not only revolutionizing industries but also challenging the role of humans in the workforce, with some fearing that automation could exacerbate inequality and social unrest.
This Conference shall aim at providing an assessment of the current or emerging positions of the EU in regard to these momentous transitions and the relations it nurtures for facing these powerful ongoing global challenges, particularly in the Asia-Pacific area.
The conference will therefore be multidisciplinary in focus. Applications from a wide range of fields (International Relations, political science, history, law, economics, cultural studies, natural and environmental sciences) are encouraged with the aspiration that the dialogues and exchange of insights in the Conference shall provide each participant witha deeper understanding of the complexities of the shifting policies of the EU and relationships in the wider world, particularly with Asia-Pacific areas, in view of the momentous transitions (political, diplomatic, geopolitical, economic, energy, climactic, developmental, technological, digital, social), that the EU together with other States are facing in contemporary times.
In this context, the dialogues between both established scholars and emerging young voices are of vital importance. The Conference shall provide fresh perspectives and insights into how the EU and its partners, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, can navigate these transitions.
Programme
The academic conference will be held over two days (Thursday and Friday) and participants are expected to attend both days. The postgraduate workshop will be held on one day parallel to the academic conference (parallel streams). The day (Thursday or Friday) will be confirmed closer in time. The postgraduate workshop will be conference-style presentations and facilitated by experienced academics providing supportive and constructive feedback.
Although we do not have dedicated funding, young students and scholars are typically supported by their universities in the area to attend a conference like EUSAAP’s, for the opportunity to showcase the output of their research and network with more seasoned scholars and experts in EU Studies. In return we offer participants the opportunity to have their papers published in our Conference Proceedings or affiliated UM / IEEM publications, subject to the quality of their submission.
The organisers reserve the right to re-arrange panels and presentations at short notice to accommodate operational requirements. Presentations are expected to be 15 minutes in length, allowing approx. 5 minutes Q&A per paper. The session chair will facilitate the discussion.
Two conference dinners will be offered to participants presenting papers at no additional cost, however registration and payment of fees is required a minimum of two months prior to the conference. If withdrawing from the conference, a MOP 800 charge shall be applied. Dinners can be booked for additional guests or conference guests not presenting a paper for MOP 1,000.
Logistical Information
Information regarding the conference venue and hotels can be found in the conference booklet which will be published here closer in time.
Please note that regrettably EUSAAP can no longer provide hotel accommodation for conference presenters or postgraduate students. We are working closely with local hotels to provide you with a discounted rate.
We currently have 68 rooms available at the UM University Hostel that can be requested on a first-come, first-served basis. The costs range from MOP 900 to MOP 1,000 per room per night, depending on the quality of the room. Some rooms are available for shared occupancy and costs. If you wish to stay at the UM University Hostel, please indicate this in the ‘comment’ section of the registration form. Once your paper has been confirmed as accepted, you will be charted the accommodation fee by the organisers which must be paid within 5 days.
Alternative accommodation, such as the Broadway Hotel and the Parisian Hotel are also available close to the UM Campus conference venue. These can be booked directly. However, costs for these hotels are higher and vary. For more information please visit:
Broadway Hotel: https://www.broadwaymacau.com.mo/stay
The UM University Hostel is on campus and thus within easy walking distance of the conference venue. No transportation will be offered for participants choosing to stay further afield.
As you surely understand, the preparations for the conference are progressing and EUSAAP had to make commitments to suppliers. If you have to withdraw from the conference, you will be required to pay cancellation fees as per schedule below. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Visa
Please check early if you require a visa to visit Macau.
Timeline
Call for papers closing: Sunday, 30 March 2025
Applicants notified of paper acceptance: mid-April 2025
Participants’ acceptance: 5 calendar days after post-acceptance notification sent
Full paper submission (required): 16 May 2025
Guest registration closing: 30 May 2025
Withdrawals & Transfers
As you can appreciate, conference organisers must make arrangements and financial committments to suppliers to organise the event. Should participants withdraw, the below charges will apply to support conference-related expenditure.
WITHDRAWAL | FEES |
Registration fees | non-refundable |
Withdrawal by 31 March 2025 | EUR 100 |
Withdrawal by 15 May 2025 | EUR 180 |
Withdrawal after 15 May 2025 or no-show | EUR 240 |
Registration Fees
The conference and postgraduate workshop are planned as in-person events and no virtual component is offered in 2025. EUSAAP is working hard to keep registration fees affordable. Fees include catering during the conference and two dinners for paper presenters. Please choose your registration fee category carefully (academic, postgraduate student, guest) during the registration process.
Please understand that all registration fees are non-refundable. Registration fees are payable at registration and charged via PayPal. Unfortunately EUSAAP cannot accept bank transfers, cheques or cash as currency conversion and/or banking fees are too costly.
Registration Type | Costs |
Academic paper presenter | EUR 100 |
Postgraduate student paper presenter | EUR 60 |
Guest (not presenting a paper) | EUR 60 |
Dinners (2 dinners; guests or additional person) | EUR 120 |
UM University Hostel room request | EUR 110-120 per night |
Paper Upload, Publications and Journal
Conference papers will be collected via the conference Google drive. Please check the programme closer in time to find your session and stream. Then go into the Google drive and navigate to the respective session under Final Papers, and upload your final paper there.
Please only upload word (.docx) or pdf documents. Please check that you are uploading the correct file. Whilst every effort is made, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to switch an incorrectly uploaded file with a revised version.
Please name the file as follows: LastName_FirstName_Title of paper.docx
Google Drive will be linked here closer in time.
In addition, conference presentations can be uploaded to the Google drive to prevent and minimise potential technical issues with screensharing, presentations disappearing, etc.
Conference participants will receive access to all full papers submitted to the conference. You are also encouraged to submit your paper for publication to the Asia Europe Journal of European Studies or the Australia and New Zealand Journal of European Studies. EUSAAP is working with both these journals and you are invited to submit your paper to either of these for publication.
Asia Europe Journal of European Studies
Australia and New Zealand Journal of European Studies
Contact
European Union Studies Association Asia Pacific (EUSAAP), c/o University of Canterbury, National Centre for Research on Europe, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
Please note that there may be a delayed response as Yvonne is working part-time on this conference. Thank you for your understanding.