MCEL Conference: EU Law for a Changing Europe

The Maastricht Centre for European Law (MCEL) was founded fifteen years ago to bring together UM scholars working across the different fields of European Union law. Since its establishment, MCEL has grown into an active community with an international outlook, producing rigorous legal research that addresses contemporary challenges. MCEL members contribute to key debates on constitutional change in the EU, the rule of law, digital regulation, migration, climate change and environmental protection, inequality, social policy, public procurement, internal market and the EU’s external relations. Through conferences, publications, collaborative research projects and engagement with policymakers, MCEL offers a platform for shaping scholarly and policy discussions on the future of European integration. 

The work of MCEL reflects the sustained commitment of current members, often in collaboration with national and international experts in the field. It has also been made possible by the continued support of Maastricht University and its Faculty of Law, as well as the dedication of the many members of staff working behind the scenes. This conference celebrates this collective achievement and provides an opportunity to reflect on how EU law continues to evolve in response to a rapidly changing Europe. 

In the last years, a series of developments has profoundly changed the European landscape. The EU has had to face important challenges coming from multiple fronts, including in the context of the EMU, migration, environmental protection, EU values, and an increasingly threatening geopolitical scenario. In this evolving context, important questions arise about the role of EU law in responding to emerging issues internally and shaping the future of the EU as a global actor, thereby preserving the EU’s capacity to act in the face of new challenges. 

The conference is organised around four thematic panels and two moderated debates. The panels bring together current MCEL members, who will present their ongoing research in relation to the four themes. The moderated debates involve experts who are former members of MCEL and the Department of European Law or with whom MCEL has long-standing collaboration. They will share their insights on the role of EU law in a changing Europe. Each session is designed to allow time for audience questions and to encourage discussion and interaction.