The Jean Monnet Module held its 1st Workshop for Decision Makers on the European Union

On September 1st and 2nd, at the main campus of Austral University (Cerrito 1250, Buenos Aires), the first edition of the Workshop for Decision Makers: European Union, Mercosur, and Argentina: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World was held. The program, organized by the Jean Monnet Module, coordinated by Dr. Santiago Ardisson, brought together academics, experts, and officials with a strong federal presence, with the aim of providing a space for training and exchange on current European affairs, Mercosur, and their implications for Argentina.

The workshop lasted a total of 21 hours, in a hybrid format that combined three virtual meetings (August 12, 19 and 26) and two face-to-face days (September 1 and 2).

The agenda was structured around five thematic modules. The first, held on August 12 and 19, was dedicated to an introduction to the European Union, with presentations by Teresa Freixes, Régis Dandoy, Paulina Astroza, Juan Luis Manfredi, and Mónica Velasco, who addressed the EU's constitutional foundations, governance, and main policies.

The second module, on August 26, focused on the challenges and current political situation of Mercosur and its implications for the EU, with presentations by Héctor Casanueva and Jorge Srur who analyzed the internal situation of the bloc, its structural and political challenges, and the future of South American integration.

The third module, on September 1, was led by Spanish professor José Antonio Sanahuja (Complutense University of Madrid), who visited Argentina to reflect on the role of the EU and Mercosur in the new global landscape and the strategic opportunities for cooperation. That same day, the fourth module brought together María Gattinoni, Alejandro Perotti, and Alejandro Arroyo Welbers, who examined the legal, regulatory, and economic aspects of the EU-Mercosur Agreement, as well as its benefits and challenges for the region.

Finally, on September 2nd, the fifth and final module focused on European Union cooperation opportunities in Argentina. On this occasion, Ilse Cougé, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation in the country, presented the EU's main lines of action, followed by a closing panel moderated by Julieta de San Félix and Aldo López, who shared experiences and proposals for strengthening cooperation at different levels of government.

This pioneering workshop established itself as a unique benchmark in the country for training decision-makers on major global challenges, strengthening academic and political ties between the European Union, Mercosur, and Argentina.