Call for Papers - International Conference "Theorizing the European Neighbourhood Policy"

The Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies at the College of Europe invites scholars to submit proposals for papers to be presented at an international conference on “Theorizing the European Neighbourhood Policy” to be held on 17-18 September 2015 at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. The conference benefits from the financial support of the European Commission. Participation is free of charge. The organizers will cover the speakers’ travel costs, accommodation and meals during the conference. The working language is English.

Despite the growing academic literature on the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), theoretical approaches attempting to explain and/or predict its evolution and effects have so far attracted limited scholarly attention.
Although the ENP has arguably become an important pillar of EU external action over the past decade, it has increasingly been criticized for having failed to effectively support the neighbouring countries to become democratic, prosperous and secure societies.
Against this backdrop, it is rather surprising that the shaping of the ENP, its successes and failures, have generated comparatively little theory – building beyond case studies and ad hoc explanations. The conference aims to contribute to the further development of EU external relations theory by explaining the origins, development, (in)effectiveness, differentiation and (in)consistency of the ENP from various perspectives as well as the role played by other global actors.
Papers are expected to draw on International Relations theories, foreign policy analysis and integration theories or approaches such as EU external governance.
They may apply and refine a specific theory, test competing theories or develop their own theoretical approach, and they should provide for solid linkages between theory and empirical research.
Selected papers will be edited and published in a peer-reviewed book or special issue.