With topics ranging from the face of the new European Union, to the triumph over communism of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, to the liberal democracy of the new 1930s, to Cyber-Terrorism and Cyber- Warfare; RMIT is hosting a highly engaging range of free seminars in October:

19 OCTOBER 2016, RMIT EU Centre 

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE EU27 DO? INSIGHTS FROM THE BRATISLAVA ‘SUMMIT’?

The leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) Member States, who will remain after the United Kingdom leaves the EU, met in Bratislava in mid-September 2016 for their first major ‘summit’ after the British referendum decision. Their focus was on the future of the EU in the wake of the British departure. Clearly, this conversation was complicated by the level of uncertainty related to the outcome of negotiations between the EU and the UK. Indeed, many other serious issues also continue to confront the European leaders. However, this was an important opportunity to set the tone for debate on the future of Europe. What did they decide? How does the outcome of the ‘summit’ sit in the wider debates about the future of the European Union?

SPEAKER

​Anne McNaughton is Deputy Director of the Centre for European Studies at the ANU. Her research focuses on the European Union as a unique legal order in international law. She has been studying this phenomenon since completing her Master of Laws in Tübingen, Germany, in 1991.  Anne’s research is directed to developing a more sophisticated and evidence-based understanding of the European Union in the broader Australian community and the wider Asia-Pacific region beyond the Common Agricultural Policy. She was an investigator on an interdisciplinary ARC Linkage Grant, ‘Australia and the European Union: A Study of a changing trade and business relationship’. Most recently Anne has been researching and publishing on the integration of services in the European Union.

​​Date ​Wednesday 19 October, 2016​                                                                                                                                                                 Time 12:30 – 2:00pm

Location RMIT City Campus, Building 16 (Storey Hall), level 7, Conference rooms 1 & 2 

342 Swanston Street, Melbourne

RSVP​​ https://eu27.eventbrite.com.au 

Free event

25th O​CTOBER 2016, RMIT EU Centre 

Freedom First - A small country’s big triumph over communism the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

The EU Centre at RMIT in conjunction with the Consular Office of Hungary is proud to present ‘Freedom First – A small country’s big triumph over communism – 1956 Hungarian Revolution’ presented by Associate Professor Tamás Magyarics, PhD, habil.

Dr. Tamás Magyarics is currently the head of the North American Department of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but started his career at ELTE as a full-time Assistant Professor in August 1987. Since then he has graduated from Assistant Professor, followed by an Associate Professor at the School of English and American Studies. Currently, he is the Vice Chair of the Department of American Studies. In the past few years, he was twice acting Chair of the Department for various periods of time. He earned a University Doctorate in 1987 at ELTE and a Candidate’s Degree (Ph.D.) in 1997 at the Academy of Sciences, Budapest. He delivered his habilitation lectures in 2006.

​​Date Tuesday 27 October, 2016​                                                                                                                                                                      Time 12:30 – 2:00pm

Location RMIT City Campus, Building 1, Council Chamber, level 2R

RSVP​​ http://1956.eventbrite.com.au

Free event

27th O​CTOBER 2016, Monash EU Centre 

THE NEW 1930's

A roundtable of the Monash European and EU Centre

Worldwide, liberal democracy based on ideas of human rights, civic freedoms and tolerance of difference faces challenges. From the United States to post-Brexit Europe, populist appeals to anti-immigrant sentiment gain legitimacy. In many parts of Europe and Asia authoritarian regimes thrive on domestic support and secure geopolitical advantage, while political forces that combine nationalism with social conservatism enjoy increasing electoral support.

The roundtable will consider the sources and possible consequences of these trends. What are the implications for Australia? Is a cautionary comparison with the period between the two World Wars to the point?

SPEAKERS

• Professor John Keane, Professor of Politics and Director, Sydney Democracy Network, University of Sydney
• Professor Gloria Davies, Chinese Studies, School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics, Monash University
• Dr Michael Hau, History, School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies, Monash University
• Moderator: Professor Marko Pavlyshyn, Director, Monash European and EU Centre

Admission free

​Date Thursday 27th October, 2016

Time 6.00 – 7.30pm

Location Room C1.10, Ground Lvl

Building C

Caulfield Campus

Enter from Sir John Monash Drive

Inquiries [email protected]​

28th October 2016, RMIT EU Centre

Cyber-Terrorism and Cyber- Warfare: EU Perspectives & Implications for Australia

There are growing concerns about the evolving threat of offensive cyber activities, ranging from hacking to on-line propaganda of extremist ideologies and illegal trade and fundraising, malicious cyber-attacks, to systematic coordinated offensive operations targeting government and business sites, as well as critical elements of physical in infrastructure.

This special expert panel will address the challenge of cyber terrorism as a strategic threat to Australia, Europe and broader international community, offer insights on EU views and perspectives on this threat, and discuss potential implications for Australian stakeholders.

SPEAKERS

Dr Alexey D. Muraviev is Head of Department of Social Sciences and Security Studies at Curtin University, Perth

Dr Bruno Scholl,Counsellor and Head of Political, Press & information Section of the European External Action Service at the Delegation of the European Union to Australia

Allan Briggs, owner of Briggs Communications,

​Date Friday 28th October, 2016

Time 12:30 – 2:00pm

Location Council Chamber, RMIT City Campus, building 1, level 2R

RSVP: http://cybersecurity28.eventbrite.com.au

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European Union Centre at RMIT
Building 5, Level 2, Room 21
T:   +61 3 9925 8214
F:   +61 3 9925 8820
E:   eucentre@rmit.edu.au
W: rmit.edu.au/eucentre

T: @RMIT_EU_CENTRE

The European Union Centre at RMIT University is funded through a grant from the European Union and RMIT University