In 2024, the Jean Monnet Network Policy Debate BRIDGE Watch Project reinforced its mission of building bridges between Latin America and Europe through activities, events, and strategic partnerships. Here are the main highlights of the year:
Events
VII Jean Monnet Network Seminar (March, UFSC, Brazil): With 350 participants (in-person and online) and 30 speakers from 14 countries, focusing on the theme “Rule of Law in Latin America and Europe.”
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VIII Jean Monnet Network Seminar (October, UNA, Paraguay): Over 400 participants (in-person and online) and 43 speakers from Latin America and Europe discussed “Paths to Democracy: Lessons from the European Union and Latin America.”
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Highlight: Formalization of the Interinstitutional Cooperation Agreement with the Permanent Review Tribunal of Mercosur, aimed at promoting joint actions to strengthen regional integration and democratic values.
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Calls and Awards
VII Jean Monnet Network Workshop (March, UFSC): Seven papers presented on the theme “Rule of Law in Latin America and Europe,” with a highlight on the award-winning paper by Yeraldin Vásquez Polanco (Colombia) titled “Reconocimiento de las víctimas de desplazamiento forzado en la Ley 1448 de 2011: procesos de revictimización e invisibilización en la Zona Bananera.”
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VIII Jean Monnet Network Workshop (October, UNA): 16 papers presented on “Paths to Democracy: Lessons from the European Union and Latin America,” with awards given to Marta Isabel Cenese de Estigarribia and Cecilia Vuyk (Paraguay) for their paper titled “Desafíos y avances en la implementación de los mecanismos de gobernanza participativa local en Paraguay.” The authors received the Jean Monnet BRIDGE Watch Scientific Merit Award.
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IV Jean Monnet Prize for Social Sciences – Contest for young researchers on “Globalization of EU Values and Democracy.” Winner: Lucas Bruno Amaral Mendes (Brazil), with the paper titled “A Dialética do Ocidente Geográfico e Cultural: entre a herança europeia, a norma e a realidade,” awarded with a trip to present his work at the VIII Jean Monnet BRIDGE Seminar in Paraguay.
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Interview with the Winner
Training course for public agents
During the VIII Jean Monnet Network BRIDGE Watch Seminar, the training course “Building Democracy in Latin America” was offered to employees of the Superior Electoral Court of Paraguay. About 150 people participated.
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Observatory of European Studies
In 2024, the European Studies Observatory stood out for publishing 64 news pieces from 14 different countries. The Observatory focuses on disseminating news, insights related to European legal and political events, and brief comments on European case law that generate interest for the international community.
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Latin American Journal of European Studies
The seventh edition of the journal, published in July 2024, included 10 scientific papers from 9 countries, featuring a thematic dossier on “Rule of Law in Latin America and Europe,” as well as an interview with Dante M. Negro, Director of International Law at the Organization of American States.
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The eighth edition of the journal, published in December 2024, featured 14 scientific papers from 7 countries. Additionally, it included a thematic dossier on “Paths to Democracy: Lessons from the European Union and Latin America,” organized by Roberto Ruiz Labrano from the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (Paraguay) and an interview conducted by José María Costa with Dr. Diego Moreno, an elected judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
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Bridge Watch Report
The Bridge Watch Report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of fundamental topics such as Rule of Law, Democracy, Human Rights, Digital Transformation, Fair and Free Trade, and Green Transition, considering the situation in ten Latin American countries. The first reports have been sent to the European Commission and will be available to the public in early 2025.
Initiatives Supported by the BW Project
In 2024, the BRIDGE Watch Project supported 11 activities in collaboration with partners from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Colombia, and Chile, reaching over 550 people.
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Ongoing Activities
For 2025, we’ve already started the year with two open opportunities:
– V Jean Monnet Social Sciences Award – Competition for young researchers on topics related to “Globalization of EU Values and Democracy.” Authors can submit their research papers until June 1, 2025.
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– Call for Papers: IX Jean Monnet Network Workshop – BRIDGE Watch in Buenos Aires, on “Human Rights, Dignity, and Equality: A Dialogue between Latin America and Europe.” Full papers can be submitted until March 17, 2025.
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We thank all participants, partners, and collaborators who contributed to the success of our activities in 2024. Together, we are building bridges of dialogue and best practices between Latin America and Europe.
Don’t miss the chance to participate in our upcoming initiatives and experience all that a Jean Monnet Network Policy Debate project can offer!
