How the European insititutions work seminar

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Programme

	Introducing the European Union
9.30	Chair and introduction: Why Europe matters to Northern Ireland and how the European Commission works in practice Maurice Maxwell Head of European Commission Office in Northern Ireland
9.50	An introduction to the institutions of Europe Dr David Phinnemore Jean Monnet Chair in European Political Science Queen’s University
10.15	Questions and discussion
10.30	Refreshments / Networking break
	The European Union in operation: The institutions of Europe
11.00	Representing Northern Ireland in Europe: Panel discussion Jim Nicholson, MEP Bairbre de Brún, MEP Diane Dodds, MEP Discussion themes: The role of the MEP; Importance of Europe to Northern Ireland; Key issues transacted on behalf of Northern Ireland in Europe; Advice on accessing the European Parliament/MEPs; Experience of committees; How to get things done in Europe.
11.45	The European Economic & Social Committee Jane Morrice Northern Ireland representative & former Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland
12.05	Representing Northern Ireland in Europe Speaker tbc Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels
12.25	Questions and discussion
12.45	Networking lunch
	Engaging with Europe: A practical guide
13.45	Enhancing the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Europe Danny Kennedy, MLA Chairman Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
14.00	Engaging with europe: A users guide Jon McLeod Chairman Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Weber Shandwick
14.20	Case study: Transacting the business agenda with Europe Tina Sommer Chairman International Affairs, Federation of Small Businesses
14.40	The future European funding landscape Pat Colgan Chief Executive Special EU Programmes Body
15.00	Questions and discussion
15.15	Chairman’s concluding remarks