Page 85 - AEI Insights 2020 - Vol. 6, Issue 1

AEI-Insights: An International Journal of Asia-Europe Relations
ISSN: 2289-800X, Vol. 6, Issue 1, January 2020

Report
JEAN MONNET CENTRE OF EXELLENCE (2017-2020) REPORT OF
ACTIVITIES - (2018-2019)

The Asia-Europe Institute was awarded the prestigious Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence
(JMCoE) award in September 2017. Through the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence award, the
Asia-Europe Institute has not only widened and deepened the focus on ASEAN-EU Studies
but has also disseminated information about EU in Malaysia and elsewhere in the ASEAN
region. The JMCoE Activities for the second year (2018-2019), focussed on the political and
security dimensions of regional and inter-regional cooperation. Key features of the second year
include:

Ambassador Lecture Series – “The EU and ASEAN: Faced with the Choice of Democracy
or Populism” a lecture by H.E. Frédéric Laplanche, the Ambassador of France

The Asia-Europe Institute hosted H.E. Frédéric Laplanche, the Ambassador of France to
Malaysia on January 30, 2019 for the Ambassador’s lecture. H.E. Laplanche gave a talk on the
topic “The EU and ASEAN: Faced with the Choice of Democracy or Populism” where he
discussed the ongoing political changes happening not only in Europe but in other parts of the
world. Ambassador (R) Late Dato’ M. Redzuan Kushairi moderated the event and Associate
Professor Dr Sameer Kumar from the AEI was the discussant for the session. Attending guests
included the Ambassador of Egypt, Ambassador of Switzerland, the Ambassador of Bosnia &
Herzegovina and the High Commissioner of Australia.

Ambassador Lecture Series – “Direct Democracy: The Swiss Experience” a lecture by
H.E. Michael Winzap, Ambassador of Switzerland
On April 17, 2019, the Asia-Europe Institute hosted the Ambassador Lecture Series featuring
H.E. Michael Winzap, Ambassador of Switzerland to Malaysia. The lecture, titled 'Direct
Democracy: The Swiss Experience', was moderated by Mr. Wan Saiful Wan Jan, founder and
former CEO of IDEAS & Chairman of PTPTN. H.E. Winzap provided a historical overview
and explained what is entailed in Switzerland’s direct democracy, noting the much more
frequent referendums held compared to other European countries. The session was followed
by an engaging Q&A and discussion between the Ambassador and lecture attendees.

Jean Monnet Special Public Lecture by Dr. Balázs Orbán, Deputy Minister of the
Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office

Dr. Balázs Orbán, Deputy Minister of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office visited the Asia-
Europe Institute on June 20, 2019. During his visit, he delivered a special lecture on “Hungary
and the Central European Countries: Perspectives and Challenges”. The session was moderated
by Dr. Rahul Mishra, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, International Master’s in European
Regional Integration (IMERI). The event was attended by His Excellency Ambassador Attila
Káli along with other members of the Hungarian mission. Delegates from other embassies in
Malaysia were also present.

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