Opening Conference ITEM
Maastricht, 30th-31st October 2015
Cross-border work mobility, the international provision of services and the improvement of the investment and business climate are high priorities of the European Union and within the border regions in particular. The countries of the European Union are confronted with great challenges following the increasing globalisation of the economy and the internationalisation of the current and future society. To accept these challenges, international and regional cross-border cooperation is crucial.
The expertise centre ITEM - Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross Border Cooperation and Mobility - has been established to reduce the mentioned impediments with regard to cross-border activities. ITEM will be the pivot of research, counselling, knowledge exchange and training activities with respect to cross-border mobility and cooperation.
Programme
Friday 30th October
Location: “Gouvernement aan de Maas” (provincial government complex) of the Province of Limburg (Limburglaan 10, 6229 GA Randwyck-Maastricht)
Moderator: Mrs S. van Trier
10.30 Welcome and registration
11.00 Opening speeches:
Mr drs. Th. Bovens
(Kings Commissioner/Governor, Province of Limburg, Board of Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mrs prof. dr. H. Schneider (dean Faculty of Law, Maastricht University)
Keynote Speaker:
Mr prof. dr. H. Verschueren (International and European coordination of social law, University of Antwerp)
12.00 Lunch
13.15 Substantive introduction workshops: Mr prof. dr. G. Vonk (University of Groningen)
14.00 Workshops (according to the World Café method):
1. Problems and possible solutions with respect to cross-border workers
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mrs mr. dr. M. Weerepas, Maastricht University, specialization tax law
World café hosts:
Mrs E. de Jong (EY)
Mr A. Hansen (Grenzinfopunkt - GIP)
Mrs P. Pechholt (emigration desk)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
2. Problems and possible solutions of expats / employees
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mrs mr. dr. A. Bollen, Maastricht University, director ITEM, specialization pension (tax) law
World café hosts:
Mr R. Olivers (MUMC+)
Mr W. Kanbier (PWC)
Mr J-M. Ahrendt (Holland Expat Center South, city of Maastricht)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
3. Public bodies and welfare agencies and their challenges with respect to
cross-border mobility
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mrs dr. N. Gundt, Maastricht University, specialization labour law
World café hosts:
Mr J. Poukens (Eures adviser ACV Cross-border workers)
Mr P. Gense (Employment and Enterprise team (GWO))
Mr G. Essers (former EURES-consultant FNV and support officer cross border labour for
EP-member Ria Oomen)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
4. Problems and possible solutions with respect to cross-border employment-finding
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mr prof. dr. F. Cörvers, Maastricht University, specialization labour law dynamics
Mrs prof. dr. L. Cornips, Maastricht University, specialization sociolinguistics
Mr prof. dr. H. Schmeets, CBS / Maastricht University, specialization social statistics
World café hosts:
Mrs dr. M. van der Giessen (Fontys Hogescholen, Venlo)
Mr M. Rahn (Arbeitsagentur Viersen)
Mr drs. M. Unfried (EIPA)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
15.30 Break
16.15 Plenary feedback findings workshops
17.00 Closure with Mr K-H. Lambertz
(First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions)
17.15 Reception
Saturday 31st October
Location: Faculty of Law of Maastricht University (Bouillonstraat 1-3, 6211 LH Maastricht)
Moderator: Mrs S. van Trier
9.00 Welcome
9.15 Opening Speech:
Mrs mr. dr. A. Bollen (director ITEM, Maastricht University)
Keynote Speaker: Mr prof. dr. E. Medeiros (Universidade de Lisboa)
9.45 Substantive introduction workshops:
Mr G. Muijzers (European Commission, DG for Regional and Urban Policy)
10.00 Break
10.30 Workshops (according to the World Café method)
1. Cross-border work mobility in Europe
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mrs mr. dr. A. Bollen, Maastricht University, director ITEM, specialization pension (tax) law
Mrs dr. L. Brüggen, Maastricht University, specialization services marketing
World café hosts:
Mr dr. E. Lemmens (Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mrs F. Jacquey (Großregion)
Mrs A. Thevenet (Deputy Director, Euro Institute)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
2. Cross-border diploma recognition
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mrs prof. dr. H. Schneider, Maastricht University, dean Faculty of Law
World café hosts:
Mrs dr. S. Schoenmaekers (Maastricht University)
Mrs dr. D. Gau (Benelux)
Mr mr. dr. S. Claessens (Maastricht University)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
3. Cross-border collaboration concerning capital crime
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mr prof. dr. H. Nelen, Maastricht University, specialization criminal law and criminology
World café hosts:
Mr M. Dejozé (Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mr T. Dolmans (Public Prosecution Service (OM), Bureau for Euroregional Cooperation)
Mr prof. dr. H. Nelen (Maastricht University)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
4. Cross-border assessment studies
Substantive introduction and input from ITEM provided by:
Mr drs. M. Unfried, EIPA, specialization cross-border assessment studies
Mr drs. J. van der Valk, CBS, specialization international statistics
World café hosts:
Mr prof. dr. E. Medeiros (Universidade de Lisboa)
Mr drs. R. Hermans (CBS)
Mr drs. W. Didderen (NEIMED)
World café approach: Bottlenecks, Experiences (best practices), Possible Solutions
11.45 Break
12.00 Plenary feedback findings workshops
12.30 Roundtable interview, closure with
Mr drs. Th. Bovens,
Mrs prof. dr. H. Schneider,
Mr prof. dr. L. Soete (rector magnificus, Maastricht University),
Dhr. J. Lenaers (Member of the European Parliament)
13.00 Lunch
Speakers
Friday 30th October
(moderator: Mrs. S. van Trier)
Opening speeches:
Mr drs. Th. Bovens (Kings Commissioner/Governor, Province of Limburg, board Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mrs prof. dr. Schneider (dean Faculty of Law, Maastricht University)
Keynote speaker:
Mr prof. dr. H. Verschueren (European social security law, University of Antwerp)
Workshop speakers:
Mr prof. dr. G. Vonk (University of Groningen)
Mrs mr. dr. M. Weerepas, Maastricht University, specialization tax law
Mrs mr. dr. A. Bollen, Maastricht University, director ITEM, specialization pension (tax) law
Mrs dr. N. Gundt, Maastricht University, specialization labour law
Mr prof. dr. F. Cörvers, Maastricht University, specialization human capital in the region
Mrs prof. dr. L. Cornips, Maastricht University, specialization sociolinguistics and language culture
Mr prof. dr. H. Schmeets, CBS / Maastricht University, specialization social statistics
World café hosts:
Mrs E. de Jong (EY)
Mr A. Hansen (GrenzInformatie Punkt - GIP)
Mrs P. Pechholt (emigration desk)
Mr R. Olivers (MUMC+)
Mr W. Kanbier (PWC)
Mr J-M. Ahrendt (Holland Expat Center South, city of Maastricht)
Mr J. Poukens (Eures adviser ACV Cross-border workers)
Mr P. Gense (Employment and Enterprise team (GWO))
Mr G. Essers (former EURES-consultant FNV and support officer cross border labour for EP-member Ria Oomen)
Mrs dr. M. van der Giessen (Fontys Hogescholen, Venlo)
Mr M. Rahn (Arbeitsagentur Viersen)
Mr drs M. Unfried (EIPA)
Closure:
Mr K.-H. Lambertz (First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions, Parliament President German-speaking Community of Belgium)
Saturday 31st October
(moderator: Mrs. S. van Trier)
Opening Speech:
Mrs. mr. A. dr. Bollen (director ITEM, Maastricht University)
Keynote speaker:
Mr. prof. dr. E. Medeiros (Universidade de Lisboa)
Workshop speakers:
mr. G. Muijzers (European Commission, DG for Regional and Urban Policy, cross-border cooperation programmes)
Mrs. mr. dr. A. Bollen, Maastricht University, director ITEM, specialization (tax)pensionlaw
Mrs. dr. L. Brüggen, Maastricht University, specialization services marketing
Mrs. prof. dr. H. Schneider, Maastricht University, dean Faculty of Law
Mr. prof. dr. H. Nelen, Maastricht University, specialization criminal law and criminology
Mr. drs. M. Unfried, EIPA, specialization cross-border assessment studies
Mr. drs. J. van der Valk, CBS, specialization international statistics
World café hosts:
Mr. dr. E. Lemmens (Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mrs. F. Jacquey (Groβregion)
Mrs. A. Thevenet (Euro Institut)
Mrs. mr. dr. S. Schoenmaekers (Maastricht University)
Mrs. dr. D. Gau (Benelux)
Mr. mr. dr. S. Claessens (Maastricht University)
Mr. M. Dejozé (Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mr. T. Dolmans (Public Prosecution Service (OM), Bureau for Euroregional Cooperation)
Mr. prof. dr. H. Nelen (Maastricht University)
Mr. prof. dr. E. Medeiros (Universidade de Lisboa)
Mr. drs. R. Hermans (CBS)
Mr. drs. W. Didderen (NEIMED)
Closure, roundtable interview:
Mr. drs. Th. Bovens (Kings Commissioner/Governor, Province of Limburg, board Meuse-Rhine Euregion)
Mrs. prof. dr. Schneider (dean Faculty of Law, Maastricht University)
Mr. prof. dr. L. Soete (rector magnificus, Maastricht University)
Dhr. J. Lenaers (Member of the European Parliament)
World Café
The World Café is a work format whereby a dialogue is created between persons from various backgrounds. This format is based on the assumption that each individual has sufficient wisdom and creativity to address difficult challenges and assumes that many heads are better than one.
How does it work? During 1.5 hours, multiple rounds of conversation take place in small groups of participants discussing issues that matter. The purpose of the dialogue process is for the involved persons to examine the existing knowledge, to share it with their conversation partners and to create new insights. After each conversation round, the participants are asked to move to another discussion table. In this way, by the end of the second and at the most the third conversation round, each participant will have learnt about the essential ideas of all workshop participants.
The World Café concept is an innovative form of dialogue whereby the participants gain new knowledge and contacts and it gives them the opportunity to join their forces to reach new and concrete insights. The purpose of a World Café is for the involved persons to examine the existing knowledge, to share it with their conversation partners and to have them gain new insights. It is hence important that everyone gets the chance to participate.
World Café in short
- Several small tables modeled after a café or in conversation groups;
- Multiple consecutive rounds of conversation that each last 20 to 30 minutes;
- The questions or matters are raised while other groups are examining the same questions at neighbouring tables;
- Both the ‘World Café’ discussion hosts and the members of each table are encouraged to write down or draw the most important ideas on large cards in the middle of the table.
More information can be found here
Photographs
Presentations
Full report in English of ITEM opening conference
Full report in Dutch of ITEM opening conference
Summary of ITEM opening conference
ITEM's follow up
Friday 30th October:
Keynote speech October 30th 2015 by professor Verschueren
Presentation by professor G. Vonk
Saturday 31st October:
Presentation by ITEM director, mr. dr. A. Bollen-Vandenboorn
Presentation by professor dr. E. Medeiros (Universidade de Lisboa)
Presentation by Mr G. Muijzers