Tuesday - June 9, 2009

This morning we took the Metro to the European Commission. The commission is one of the three institutions that make up the European Union. It represents and upholds the interests of Europe as a whole, drafting proposals for new European laws, which is presents to the European Parliament and Council, the other two institutions of the EU. The commission also ensures that everyone abides by the European treaties and laws. It is made up of 27 representatives, one from each country in the EU. Each representative is assigned a specific topic for which to focus during their five year term, such as energy, trade, multilingualism, consumer protection, fisheries and maritime affairs, etc.

Our first session was on Foreign Trade and its Global Positioning, presented by a Swede, Du Reitz Kristofer, who serves as a Secratariat for the commission.

Mrs. Ildiko Mikulas presented a lecture on wine legislation in the EU. The European wine industry’s regulations are quite complicated and constantly changing, as Europe is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of wine in the world. It is fascinating that 27 countries with so many differences come together for the sake of commerce and are able to work through their differences as well as they do.

The commission treated our group to a very nice lunch in one of the EU dining rooms. The atmosphere at the commission reminded me of a House of Representatives or Senate in a state of the US, all very political and diplomatic, individuals tasked with their own agendas trying to be as collaborative as possible for the greater good, while looking out for their own interests.

Our last lecture of the day was given by Sander Van Sluis, on the Internal Market of the EU. Mr. Van Sluis was from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Netherlands, and working short term at the European Commission. This lecture was especially interesting as he explained the framework the commission is constantly working within to provide checks and balances for the member states. He referenced the commission’s work being a series of constant negotiations, some of which go on for years. A resource known as SOLVIT is also gaining popularity, as it is an alternative to dispute resolution outside the court system. I asked if it were similar to the mediation alternative we are familiar with in the US. He said it was; I of course immediately identified with this since I just completed a serious of course work specializing in negotiation and mediation in my MBA program.

Several of us opted to take the 45 minute walk back to the hotel lead by Armel, the program director. The weather was beautiful (which is temporary), so it was nice to get the fresh air and sunshine. We walked through a beautiful park on the way back to the hotel, passed by the king’s palace once again.

We have a few more days in Brussels, a lot of lectures to get through still, much work to do on our projects, but after this week, we will have most of the foundation information which is necessary for our projects and the requirements for our course credits. I’ve been here for only three nights, but it feels like much longer. The group agrees that we’re ready to move on to new sights, but I am glad our itinerary included what is known to many as the “capital of Europe” (which doesn’t really exist). I can say firsthand…Belgians know how to make chocolate for sure!