Educational Projects

Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi – University of Bologna

Project Team: Giuliana Laschi (Project Manager), Francesca Fauri, Marco Balboni, Marco Borraccetti, Sonia Lucarelli, Giulio Ecchia, Alessandro Martelli, Emanuele Menegatti, Ilaria Pitti, John P. Leech, Raffaella Baccolini (University of Bologna), Carlos Pacheco Amaral (University of the Azores), Michel Catala (Université de Nantes), Fernando Guirao (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona)
Operational Committee: Fabio Casini (administrative coordination and communication), Andrea Bandini (logistics Bertinoro), Marco Fossati (inclusion and facilitation consultant)

EUREKA – EURopean Education aKAdemy is a Jean Monnet project aimed at strengthening the training of Italian teachers on European Union topics, with the goal of transforming schools into privileged spaces for European citizenship education. The project builds on the twenty-year experience of Europe Direct Punto Europa in Forlì and responds to the growing demand for teaching tools and competencies to educate students about the EU, especially following the introduction of mandatory civic education.

The core of the initiative is the creation of a true “EU Akademy” for teachers, which will offer:
- Residential courses in Bertinoro (two per year);
- Thematic workshops, online or in person, on EU policies and disinformation;
- E-learning platform for sharing best practices;
- Study visits to European institutions (Rome, Brussels, Ispra, Turin, Parma);
- School visits, supported by EU Junior Experts – specially trained university students;
- Teaching materials, such as the e-book EU@School and an educational kit.

With an interdisciplinary and participatory approach, EUREKA aims to involve over 1,500 teachers from across Italy, in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna Regional School Office and other public institutions. The Akademy is not just a training cycle but a professional community fostering peer exchange and dialogue between schools, universities, and European institutions. Activities are designed to ensure inclusivity, with particular attention to teachers from peripheral schools, primary and secondary levels, and to the inclusion of students with disabilities.

The project’s legacy will be guaranteed through a permanent digital platform, open-access content, and integration of courses into training programs recognized by the Ministry of Education.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2023 – 31/08/2026

Funding Body: European Commission – Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Teacher Training
(Call: ERASMUS-JMO-2023-OFET-TT)

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  Punto Europa activities in schools

Scientific coordinator: Professor Francesca Fauri, University of Bologna (UNIBO)

Project team: Fabio Casini (Operational Coordination and Communication, Punto Europa), Giancarlo Gasperoni (Sociology of Education, UNIBO), Debora Mantovani (Sociology of Migration, UNIBO), Paolo Tedeschi (Economic History, Univ. Bicocca and Luxembourg), Donatella Strangio (Economic History, Sapienza Roma), Marc McQuinn (Development and Migration, SOAS University of London), Eleonora Vlach (Educational Policies and Inequality, Goethe Universität Frankfurt).

EUMCHA – The EU and the Migration Challenge is a Jean Monnet Chair addressing the intersection of migration, development aid, and education in the European context, combining interdisciplinary research, advanced academic training, and public engagement activities. The project is based on the assumption that understanding and managing current migration challenges requires a historical and multidisciplinary perspective, analyzing the causes, tools, and policies of the EU, with particular attention to the role of external aid as a tool to contain migratory flows and education as a lever for integration.

Led by Professor Francesca Fauri, the project spans three years of educational activities (courses, seminars, study visits), collaborative research, international conferences, a series of public lectures, a documentary, and a collective publication. At the core of the project is the establishment of a multidisciplinary European research team, which, by comparing past and present, will investigate the effectiveness of aid policies and the best educational practices in integration processes. Considerable attention is also devoted to communication with civil society, through events aimed at students, teachers, and citizens, in collaboration with Punto Europa Forlì.

The Chair aims to contribute to an informed debate on European migration policies, raising public awareness and strengthening the capacity of local actors to develop inclusive and sustainable strategies. Final outputs will include an international conference, a scientific volume, articles, and a short documentary featuring testimonies of migrants and students, intended for dissemination through mainstream media and international festivals.

Dates and Duration: September 2023 – August 2026

Funding Body: European Commission – Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Chair (Call: ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH)

Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi
Deputy Director: Nicola Sbetti
Other Members of the Scientific Committee: William Gasparini – Université de Strasbourg, Jürgen Mittag – Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Philippe Vonnard – Université de Lausanne, Kevin Tallec Marston – CIES Football Observatory (Switzerland), Martin Polley – De Montfort University, Leicester.

Sport and International Politics in Europe (SIPE) is an innovative Jean Monnet module designed to explore and highlight the role of sport as a European political arena. While the involvement of EU institutions in sports policies is growing, the study of the relationship between sport and politics remains marginal in Italian university curricula. This project aims to fill that gap, promoting a critical analysis of sport as a vehicle for identity, diplomacy, and European policy.

At the core of the project is the introduction of a 50-hour course within the Master’s Degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences at the University of Bologna – Forlì Campus, dedicated to the political dimension of sport in Europe. Alongside academic training, SIPE offers a 14-hour free teacher training course for secondary school educators, providing tools to address themes of sport and European identity in the classroom.

The initiative also includes a rich schedule of public engagement activities: international seminars, webinars, workshops in high schools, and annual conferences, culminating in a two-day international event at the new “Casa dello Sport” in Forlì. All events cover central topics such as international sports institutions, EU sports policies, sports diplomacy, and European values.
Thanks to collaboration with Punto Europa, a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, and an international network of academic and expert partners, SIPE aims to establish a long-term center for the study of sport and international politics. The project aspires to become a national reference point for students, teachers, policymakers, and citizens interested in understanding how sport can contribute to building European identity.

Dates and Duration: 18/02/2022 – 17/02/2025

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Action

Scientific Director: Giuliana Laschi – University of Bologna.
Scientific Committee: Raffaella Baccolini, Alessandro Martelli, Francesco Privitera, Francesca Fauri.
EYE Team:
Fabio Casini – Project Manager and General Secretary, Punto Europa
Paolo Cantore – Press and Public Relations Officer
Margherita Capannoli – Program Coordinator
Marco Fossati – Delegate for Inclusion and Accessibility
Giuliana Villari, Rosa Maria Cristiana Genovese, Eleonora Cappa, Barbara Matta, Jacopo Cima Vivarelli – Secretariat

Institutional Partners: Emilia-Romagna Region; Legislative Assembly of Emilia-Romagna; Municipalities of Forlì, Cesena, Ravenna, Rimini, and Faenza; National Youth Council; European Commission; Visit Romagna; Emilia Romagna Welcome
Other Partners: ACLI Youth, AICS, One Hour for Europe, Megalizzi Foundation, European Federalist Youth, Europe Direct Centers of Emilia Romagna, RadUni-Europhonica Association, Fridays for Future Italy, CUSB Forlì.

EYE Forlì – In Tune with Youth: Designing Your Europe is a European event co-financed by the European Parliament, which will bring 4,000 young people to Forlì from 17 to 19 May 2024 to reflect on Europe’s future and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the European elections. The initiative was born as a creative and constructive response to the devastating flood that hit Romagna in May 2023, turning a crisis into an opportunity for youth civic engagement.

The project is promoted by the University of Bologna – Department of Political and Social Sciences, in collaboration with 10 national partners, 5 local authorities, and numerous international organizations. This is a local edition of the European Youth Event (EYE), inspired by the Strasbourg format but rooted in the territory, bringing Europe closer to young Italians.

The programme includes debates, workshops, political simulations, informal talks, artistic installations, escape rooms, concerts, theater, sports, and recreational activities. Central themes include green transition, civil rights, democracy, mental health, political and digital communication, and EU youth and foreign policies. Participants will engage in a co-design process through the platform youthideas.eu, directly contributing to shaping the event’s content.

EYE Forlì is based on four pillars: sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, and gender equality, with dedicated teams to ensure the concrete implementation of these values. The event will culminate in a grand closing ceremony featuring music and the presentation of a youth agenda to be submitted to the new European Parliament.

Dates and Duration: 01/11/2023 – 30/06/2024
Main Event Dates: 17–19 May 2024
Funding: European Parliament – EP-COMM-SUBV-2024-LOCAL-EYE Program

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Scientific Director: Giuliana Laschi
Other Faculty Involved: Angela Santese, Pina Lalli
Partners: University of Concepción (Chile), Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain), University of the Azores (Portugal), University of Nantes (France), Panteion University of Athens (Greece), University Residential Centre of Bertinoro.

DEEP – Disinformation, Euroscepticism and European Union Policies is a project under the Jean Monnet Chair in the History of European Integration, awarded to Professor Giuliana Laschi.

At a time when fake news represents an increasingly concrete problem and threat in every EU member state, the DEEP JM Chair aims to research and analyze the relationship between disinformation and misinformation, and the role these phenomena play in the rise of Euroscepticism and nationalism. The project investigates, from a diachronic perspective, the impact that both the quantity and quality of information have had during the most critical historical turning points of the European integration process.

The three-year project includes teaching activities, research, the organization of various events, and the production of multiple outputs, all aimed at promoting and strengthening European studies within both academic contexts and civil society.

Additionally, the project seeks to develop a new approach to European studies, fostering multidisciplinary dialogue through cooperation with European and non-European partner universities and disseminating results to the broader community. The project coordinates multiple disciplines, promoting knowledge exchange and achieving comprehensive outcomes without sacrificing the specificity of each field.

The DEEP JM Chair actively involves students at different levels. Teaching activities are designed for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from various universities, fostering learning in a dynamic, international, and multidisciplinary environment, consistent with the project’s overarching goal. Furthermore, many training activities engage civil society and target specific groups, including teachers and students from primary and secondary schools, civil society representatives, and policy-makers.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2020 – 31/08/2023

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Action

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Scientific Director: Giuliana Laschi
Other Faculty Involved: Members of the Scientific Committee of Punto Europa, Pina Lalli.
Partners: University of Concepción (Chile), Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain), University of the Azores (Portugal), University of Nantes (France), Panteion University of Athens (Greece), University Residential Centre of Bertinoro.

The project “Are EU learning?” aims to strengthen teachers’ skills in addressing European Union topics in schools, contributing to the development of an informed, conscious, and active European citizenship. Promoted by the Punto Europa Centre – Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, University of Bologna, the project primarily targets secondary school teachers but also seeks to directly involve students and civil society.

Through in-person seminars (in Bertinoro and Bologna), online training courses, innovative teaching tools (such as an e-book, a didactic kit, and a publication for students), institutional simulation days, classroom activities, and a student video contest, the project aims to bridge the gap between schools and the European Union.

The initiative also highlights the participation of young experts trained at the University of Bologna (EU Junior Experts), who support teachers in school activities and contribute to spreading European culture among younger generations.

Overall, the project involves over 1,000 teachers and approximately 3,000 students across Italy, thanks also to the collaboration with the Regional School Office of Emilia-Romagna and a strong institutional and academic network. It represents a concrete investment in bringing Europe closer to new generations.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2020 – 31/08/2022

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Action – Projects

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Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi.
Other involved faculty members: members of the Scientific Committee of Punto Europa.
Partners: local entities, University of Azores, University of Siegen.

The main aim of the project “THE EU LEARNING CYCLE: teachers, students… citizens!” is to improve school teachers’ ability to teach about the European Union, involve their students, and ultimately empower their sense of belonging to EU citizenship.

The project builds on three previous initiatives, which involved almost 750 teachers (from Emilia Romagna Region the first year and from all Italian regions in the second and third year). This new two-year project allows participants to deepen their knowledge, exchange experiences more extensively, and better evaluate the skills acquired by the end of the program.

The training phase consists of a two-day seminar, held three times in different locations: Bertinoro, Bologna, and Reggio Emilia, in collaboration with local Europe Direct Centres. Each seminar will host 50 teachers, selected through a national open call in partnership with the regional offices of the Ministry of Education (over 250 teachers applied for Bertinoro alone in 2015). The multiplier effect of the project will be significant, building on the teachers and students involved in previous projects, who remain engaged through the project’s community. During these seminars, professors from the University of Bologna (member of the Scientific Committee of the Europe Direct Forlì, granted in 2014 as a JM Centre of Excellence) and from European and international university networks will provide teachers with the scientific foundations in European integration. The seminars also offer an opportunity for teachers to meet each other, exchange experiences, and share resources. Teachers not selected for the seminar can still access the videos uploaded on the platform managed by Europe Direct Forlì, following the same content as the seminar participants.

Participants will reconvene in February 2019 to share how they applied the skills gained in their classrooms. This workshop will also allow evaluation of the seminars’ outcomes.

Training continues “at home” through a four-month virtual class, using e-learning as the primary tool. This course is open to all teachers who applied for the seminars and to those who participated in previous projects (estimated around 1,000 people). During this period, participants will explore thematic in-depth analyses of EU topics. The e-learning course also contributes content for the project website, strengthens the teacher network, and enriches the accompanying e-book.

European issues are further introduced in schools through sessions conducted by master’s students, covering the history of European integration, the functioning of EU institutions, and specific thematic topics. Educating young people as future active citizens is crucial, and the education system plays a central role in fostering a sense of European citizenship and belonging.

At the final conference, experiences and workshop results will be presented and discussed to improve EU teaching in schools and to exchange best practices and ideas. The conference will be open to the public, encouraging citizen participation.

Teaching EU topics in schools faces challenges, including the lack of initial and in-service teacher training (despite the 2015 pilot project L’Europa nelle scuole, launched by the Education Department MIUR, the European Commission Representation in Italy, and the European Parliament in Italy) and a national political climate marked by Euroscepticism as a response to economic and migration crises. Feedback from teachers participating in previous projects confirms this: many reported feeling unsupported in their efforts to educate students about EU citizenship, while simultaneously expressing a strong desire for professional development. High application numbers in 2015—despite the course offering no academic credit—demonstrate this motivation. Importantly, interest came not only from History and Geography teachers but also from Maths, Science, and IT teachers across different school types: almost 65% of participants in the 2015–2016 project taught scientific-technical subjects or foreign languages.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2027 – 31/08/2019

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Action – Projects.

Scientific Coordinator: Francesca Fauri.

In line with the research and teaching activities carried out at the University of Bologna as holder of a Jean Monnet chair (2011-2014), Francesca Fauri has been the author of a number of high-level international activities (organization of international conferences, seminars, several publications in Italian and English, two books on migration and several articles on the topic of her previous JM chair).

The opportunity offered by this new project will enable Prof. Fauri to continue her research on European migration movements, spread knowledge on EU migration and immigration history both locally and internationally and go a lot further in investigating the economic and social impact/integration challenges of incoming immigrant groups nowadays.

Being the vice-president of the Scientific Committee of the Europe Direct - Centre of Excellence in Forlì, she will continue to exploit her role and implement a large number of information and awareness activities and events. The JM chair will let her pursue the mission of spreading knowledge on EU economic history, migration history and policy in particular in the Forli Campus, and more in general in a wider context at the national and international level. Students and civil society participation to the events/website will indicate the level of achievement and interest in the proposed topics.

The activities foreseen in the three years include not only teaching, but also research, and the organization of several events (study visits, conferences, seminars, training courses) and outputs (three articles, a book, a short TV format, a website, a DVD) aimed at enhancing knowledge on EU economic and migration history (outgoing and incoming) in the academic context and among civil society.

Prof. Fauri will continue to improve the existing teachings and seminars. In particular, she teaches 60 hours in Forlì (Economic History of Contemporary Europe) and 60 hours in Bologna (Economic History). If this Action is approved, the course in Forlì will be divided into two modules starting in 2017: 30 hours will be devoted to the process of European economic integration after the Second World War, while 30 hours will be offered to a new specialized module on “Migration to and from Europe: a long term view”.

This new innovative module will represent the only course on Migration offered at the University of Bologna. It will be open to all students and will include the contribution of European legal experts, historians, demographers, economists and sociologists in order to offer a cross-disciplinary long term view on migration movements and their economic and social impact.

Research will focus on the history of migration within the EU countries, but also on the history of immigration movements which shall include: the study of foreign micro/ethnic enterprises based in the EU and the role of remittances in history. Furthermore, through the chair, a historical, economic and sociological investigation on second generation integration will be carried out, involving the collaboration of students, researchers and several internationally renowned experts and professors.

Along with the use of new technologies, such as the website, the DVD and the streaming view of the public events, particular attention will be devoted to the implementation of a new virtual tool aimed at being forecast on local and regional TV channels in order to reach as many citizens as possible. The “TV pills” on the EU economic and migration policy will represent a new possibility to reach the general public of all ages and, through a fresh approach, to win over the dissatisfaction, disillusion and sometimes open hostility towards the EU policies in general and migration issues in particular, often derived from partisan and wrong information by the media. This is precisely in tune with the JM objective to enhance the general public’s civic skills.

Dates and Duration: 01/08/2016 – 31/08/2019

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, erasmus + programme, Jean Monnet Action.

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Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi.
Other involved faculty members: Members of the Scientific Committee of Punto Europa.
Partners: Local authorities, Europe Direct centers in Emilia Romagna, University of the Azores, University of Minas Gerais.

The EU Teachers’ Community is a Jean Monnet project aimed at strengthening the competencies of Italian teachers in teaching the European Union at school. Building on the experience gained in two previous projects, which involved over 250 teachers, this new initiative expands the educational impact on a national scale, contributing to the creation of a genuine European educational community.
At the core of the project is a series of intensive two-day seminars (in Italian and English), organized in Bertinoro, Bologna, and Reggio Emilia, each targeting 50 teachers selected through a public call. The in-person training is complemented by a four-month e-learning program, open to all applicants and to the over 750 teachers already involved in previous editions. The activities cover historical, political, and economic aspects of European integration and provide innovative teaching tools, such as an e-book and an interactive platform developed with the support of CESIA of the University of Bologna.
The project also promotes a series of school visits, involving young university trainers, to discuss current EU topics: environment, human rights, mobility, and citizenship. The dual objective is to support teachers in their educational mission while raising awareness among over 4,000 students about the importance of Europe in their daily lives.
Thanks to the support of Europe Direct, the Ministry of Education, and numerous local administrations, the results and best practices will be widely disseminated, strengthening the sense of European belonging and promoting active and informed citizenship.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2015 – 31/08/2016

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Action – Projects

Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi.
Other involved faculty members: Alessandra Bitumi, Angela Santese.
Partners: University of Azores (Portugal), University of Athens (Greece), University of Coimbra (Portugal), University of Strasbourg (France), University of Siegen (Germany), University of Minas Gerais (Brazil).

This project aims at investigating, from an historical perspective, the different paths of the European integration process after the world war II. If it is possible to ascribe ECSC and EEC to the functionalist design of economic integration, the real attempt of political integration is instead represented by the Council of Europe. On this basis, the research will take as a case study the issue of fundamental rights, focusing mainly on the contribution of the Council of Europe to the definition and recognition of democratic and legal principles in the overseas territories of states parties, in spite of an almost total lack of real powers.

The Council of Europe is probably Europe’s most misunderstood organisation. Nonetheless the Council retained its pluralist vision of Europe and respect for fundamental rights, sharpened by the extreme violence of Nazi domination and war. While Europe embarked on the road towards union two years later, with the ECSC, then in 1957 with the EEC, there remained at the core of the Council something more deeply “political” than integration based on a common market and free trade. At a time when the European public is calling into question the legitimacy of EU institutions and the purpose of integration, it is useful to turn our attention to two issues poorly analyzed by historians: the Council of Europe’s activities and its relationships with ECSC and EEC.

The activities foreseen in the three years include research, teaching and the organisation of several events and outputs aimed at enhancing knowledge on EU studies in the academic context and among civil society. The students’ level of active participation through the virtual platform, the percentage of conference’s lecturers going on with the research activity, the attendance forms and the questionnaires for the general public and the visitors of the website will constitute the main indicators of achievement.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2014 – 31/08/2015

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus + Programme, Jean Monnet Action – Projects.

Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi
Other involved faculty: Members of the Scientific Committee of Punto Europa
Partners: Local authorities, Europe Direct Centers of Emilia-Romagna, University of the Azores, University of Minas Gerais

TEACH is a Jean Monnet project designed to address a structural gap in the Italian school system: the scarce or nonexistent presence of European Union topics in school curricula, partly due to the lack of specific teacher training. The project aims to strengthen teachers’ ability to present and explain the EU in the classroom by providing them with tools, content, and a community for discussion.
The initiative includes an intensive two-day training course, delivered in Italian and English, for 40 teachers selected nationally, followed by a 4-month e-learning platform open also to European teachers. The modules cover historical, institutional, and political aspects of the EU, as well as transversal topics such as environment, rights, mobility, and globalization, with particular attention to teaching strategies and language.
A distinctive feature of the project is the creation of the "Growing European Community", an online network of teachers, experts, students, and Europe Direct centers, dedicated to sharing best practices, teaching materials, and pedagogical reflections. The project concludes with an international conference open to the public, designed to foster debate on how to teach Europe in schools.
TEACH involves local public authorities, Europe Direct centers, European and Latin American partner universities, and leverages the network built over the years by Punto Europa of Forlì. Thanks to this network and the collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Regional School Office, the project’s results are widely disseminated, generating a multiplier effect among teachers, students, and families.

Dates and Duration: 01/09/2014 – 31/08/2015

Funding: European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Action – Projects

Lifelong EU. Education towards European Citizenship

Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

Scientific Committee and partner: Francesca Fauri (University of Bologna - Italy); Giulio Ecchia (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Borraccetti (University of Bologna - Italy); Sonia Lucarelli (University of Bologna - Italy); Paolo Zurla (University of Bologna - Italy); Mauro Maggiorani (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Fossati (School teacher and Instructor of orientation, mobility and personal autonomy ); Camilla Laschi (Musician and architect); Enrico Lombardi (School teacher, painter and writer); Maria Rita Fedrizzi (Historian of cinema); Fabio Casini (Manager od Europe Direct Forlì), Carla Cavallini (Manager of Europe Direct Reggio Emilia), Andrea Poluzzi (Europe Direct Reggio Emilia), Stefania Fenati (Manager of Europe Direct Bologna).

Summary: The study of the European integration process in schools is mostly underestimated, when not totally absent. The main aims of this project are to raise awareness of European citizenship among young generations and to improve also the ability of school teachers to explain the EU. These goals will be reached through a series of meetings in schools and a training course addressed to teachers.
Meetings in schools (see F.3.3) will be managed by young trainers, selected among MA students of the Faculty of Political Science “Roberto Ruffilli” of Forlì (constantly top-ranked, especially for its assets in the internationalisation field ), Erasmus students and EVS volunteers in the Emilia-Romagna region. Their solid education in European Studies will be integrated with an ad hoc training course (see F.3.2). The project foresees about 150 meetings in schools in order to have a direct impact at least on 2000-3000 students. The Europe Day (see F.3.5) will be the occasion to test the results of the work done, through an educational and recreational path that will involve about 300 students from primary, middle and high schools.
The training course (see F.3.4) will involve 60 teachers (from primary, middle and high schools and selected through a regional call supported by the Emilia-Romagna Region) and will deal with the history of the EU and its institutions and on more specific topics. A new model of teaching the EU will be offered: ateliers will explain the EU and its cultural identity (cinema, music, art), making so the EU more attractive for young people. During the whole project teachers will be constantly supported through the website and e-learning activities (see F.4.1).
At the end of the project a conference (see F.3.6) will be organised to discuss with the civil society how to teach the EU in schools and to exchange good practices developed by teachers.
Finally an e-book (see F.4.2) will be produced and it will be an innovative and useful didactic tool for teachers.

Dates and duration: 1/9/2013-31/8/2014

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

Modulo Jean Monnet “The European Union Immigration Law”

Scientific Coordinator: Marco Borraccetti.

Summary: This project will provide students and people interested in the field with the opportunity to dwell on the study of the European Law on the Migration taking into consideration also the difference with the freedom of movement of the EU citizens, the different system inside the EU, the dispute on the possibility to grant the national citizenship of a Member State to those people who are born on its territory and whose parents are nationals of a third country and the intricacy of its standing in a complex and interdependent world.
However, rather than offering an overall picture, the goal is to focus on the measures governing the entrance and the refusal of entry of the non-EU citizens and their compatibility with the respect of fundamental rights. Particular attention will be placed on the international agreements concluded by the EU and/or the Member States with third countries.
The history of the Union competences on immigration is convoluted; based on intergovernmental basis, over the years the immigration policy has assumed greater importance, until the ordinary legislative procedure with the Treaty of Lisbon.
The immigration policy is a very sensitive issue for the Member States and influences many areas from economic to security, where the latter seems to prevail.
The in-depth analysis of the evolution of the different aspects caracterising this type of policy will serve as an important tool to understand the future development of the EU and its integration, also in the name of a “European identity”.
The aim is to conduct research and disseminate knowledge through teaching activities,organization of events (conferences, seminars), a website, publications, which will enhance the general awareness on the topic both in the academic context and among civil society.
Given the contentious and overlapping issues that will be debated, the impact envisaged is likely to be high and broad, reaching out to a wide range of interlocutors at different level of specialization.

Dates and duration: 1/9/2012-31/8/2015

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

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Jean Monnet Chair “The European Communities and Migration: an Historical Perspectives”

Scientific Coordinator Francesca Fauri

Summary: In line with the research and teaching activities carried out at the University of Bologna as holder of a JM chair, this project will enable Prof. Fauri to spread knowledge on EU migration and immigration history both locally and internationally.The activities foreseen in the three years include research, teaching and the organisation of several events (conferences, seminars, study visits, training courses) and outputs (website, book, DVD, brochures) aimed at enhancing knowledge on EU migration history (outgoing and incoming) in the academic context and among civil society.Research will focus on the history of migration within the EU countries, but also on the history of the immigration movements and the role of the second generation of immigrants in European societies. Through the chair, an historical investigation will be carried out in this direction, involving at different levels and stages, BA, MA, Phd students and several internationally renown professors.This action aims at spreading knowledge about EU migration and immigration movements, their role and economic effects on European countries and the challenges Europe will have to confront with in the future. The issues will be analysed both at academic and civil society level, offering an interdisciplinary approach. Moreover given the importance of the theme of research, an impact on the international academic community is envisaged.

Dates and duration: 1/9/2011-31/8/2014

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

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Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

ScientificCommittee: Mario del Pero (University of Bologna), Alessandra Bitumi (University of Bologna).

Summary: This project is intended to provide students and people interested in the field with the opportunity to dwell on the study of the European integration history taking into consideration not only the internal dimension of the EC/EU but also the intricacy of its external standing in a complex and interdependent world. However, rather than offering an overall picture, the goal is to focus on the “special relationship” with the US. The dilemma of the transatlantic connection has been a key issue in the pursuit of a distinct international dimension for the EC, that has conditioned the development of its external relations as well as its internal debate on the specificity of a “European identity”. Through the in-depth analysis of the evolution of such a relation, one can both tell the story of the pivotal Atlantic alliance as well as retrace the expanding perimeters of the external dimension of the EU.Over a span of three years, the aim is to conduct research and disseminate knowledge through teaching activities, organization of events (conferences, seminars), a website and publications, which will enhance the general awareness on the topic both in the academic context and among civil society.The teaching module will be held by PhD Alessandra Bitumi and it will improve European courses for bachelor students.Given the contentious and overlapping issues that will be debated, the impact envisaged is likely to be high and broad, reaching out to a wide range of interlocutors at different level of specialization.

Dates and duration: 1/9/2011-31/8/2014

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

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Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

Partner: Sonja Bjeletic (Faculty of Administrative and European Studies, Podgorica - Montenegro).

Summary: In line with the research and teaching activities carried out in the framework of the Jean Monnet chair (2005-2010), Prof. Laschi has delivered evidence of a high level international teaching (EU and extra-EU), in publication records and organising several reflection activities targeting academic context, students and civil society. Being the president of the Scientific Committee of the Europe Direct Punto Europa Forlì, she will continue on exploit her role for implementing a large number of information and awareness activities and event. The JM chair Ad personam will let her pursue the mission of spreading knowledge on EU integration in particular in the Forli Campus, and more in general a wider at national and international context. The activities foreseen in the three years include research, teaching and the organisation of several events (conferences, seminars, simulation activities, study visits, training courses) and outputs (website, book, DVD, brochures) aimed at enhance knowledge on EU studies in the academic context and among civil society.Research will focus on the history of external relation. Historiography studies are at a starting point even if external relations are at the centre of debating in political studies since the last decade. Through the chair, an historical investigation will be carried out in this direction, involving at different levels and stages, BA, MA, Phd students and several high values professors in a dynamic international framework. This action aims at spreading knowledge about EU integration both at academic and civil society level. Moreover the high importance of the theme of research, an impact in the international academic community is envisaged

Dates and duration: 1/9/2010-31/8/2013

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

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Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

ScientificCommittee and partner: Francesca Fauri (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Balboni (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Borraccetti (University of Bologna - Italy); Sonia Lucarelli (University of Bologna - Italy); Paolo Zurla (University of Bologna - Italy); Mauro Maggiorani (University of Bologna - Italy); Salvatore Aloisio (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Italy); Marco Gestri (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Italy); Marco Fossati (School teacher and Instructor of orientation, mobility and personal autonomy ); Fabio Casini (Manager of Europe Direct Forlì), Elisabetta Olivastri (Europe Direct Modena); Rita Ricci (Manager of Europe Direct Ravenna); Carla Cavallini (Manager of Europe Direct Reggio Emilia), Stefania Fenati (Manager of Europe Direct Bologna); Comune di Forlì, Provincia di Forlì-Cesena, Comune di Faenza.

Summary: The study of the European integration process in high schools is mostly underestimated, when not totally absent. Given the growing demand of cooperation with this University, Professor Laschi started the Punto Europa program with schools ten years ago. The goal of the Punto Europa’s action in the schools, as well as this project’s, is to contribute to enhancing the awareness of being European citizens among young generations, through a series of activities and meetings (see F.3.3-7). The most innovative aspect of the project lies in the fact that the meetings will be managed by young trainers, duly selected among MA students of the Faculty of Political Science “Roberto Ruffilli” of Forlì (constantly top-ranked, especially for its assets in the field of internationalization). Their sound education will be integrated with an initial ad-hoc training course (see F.3.2). The project foresees about 100-150 meetings within schools (see F.3.3), taking place mostly in the regional area in order to have a direct impact at least on 2.000-3.000 students. The Europe Day, taking place in Forlì on 9th May 2012 (see F.3.5), is the occasion to test the results of the work done, through an educational as well as recreational path that will address about 300 students of primary, middle and high schools. We also foresee the creation of an innovative web platform (see F.3.2) with didactic materials, learning projects, best practice exchanges, with a possibility of an interaction between school teachers and University professors. Furthermore a very innovative product will be a smartphone app with didactic contents and quizzies on EU (see F.3.3). On the website of the ED Forlì (see F.3.1), space will be devoted to the project and the dissemination of project products, whose visibility will also be granted by other web sites of the regional Europe directs.

Dates and duration: 1/9/2012-31/8/2013

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

ScientificCommittee and partner: Francesca Fauri (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Balboni (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Borraccetti (University of Bologna - Italy); Sonia Lucarelli (University of Bologna - Italy); Paolo Zurla (University of Bologna - Italy); Mauro Maggiorani (University of Bologna - Italy); Salvatore Aloisio (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Italy); Marco Gestri (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Italy); Marco Fossati (School teacher and Instructor of orientation, mobility and personal autonomy ); Fabio Casini (Manager of Europe Direct Forlì), Elisabetta Olivastri (Europe Direct Modena); Rita Ricci (Manager of Europe Direct Ravenna); Carla Cavallini (Manager of Europe Direct Reggio Emilia), Stefania Fenati (Manager of Europe Direct Bologna); Milena Cecchini (Manager Europe Direct Rimini); Comune di Forlì, Provincia di Forlì-Cesena, Comune di Faenza.

Summary: The study of the European integration process in high schools is mostly underestimated, when not totally absent. Given the growing demand of cooperation with this University, Professor Laschi started the Punto Europa program with schools ten years ago. The goal of the Punto Europa’s action in the schools, as well as this project’s, is to contribute to enhancing the awareness of being European citizens among young generations, through a series of activities and meetings. The most innovative aspect of the project lies in the fact that the meetings will be managed by young trainers, duly selected among MA students of the Faculty of Political Science “Roberto Ruffilli” of Forlì (constantly top-ranked, especially for its assets in the field of internationalization). Their sound education will be integrated with an initial ad-hoc training course. The project foresees about 100-150 meetings within schools, taking place mostly in the regional area, from Reggio Emila to Rimini, in order to have a direct impact at least on 2.000-3.000 students. There will also be a European Parliament simulation in spring 2012, whose participants will be some students selected in those schools that have attended our meetings. The Europe Day, taking place in Forlì on 9th May 2012, is the occasion to test the results of the work done, through an educational as well as recreational path that will address about 300 students of primary, middle and high schools. Next fall, a specific meeting for teachers will be held in Modena, where we will reflect upon the teaching of European integration in schools, also in the light of the project developed. We also foresee the creation of a cd with all didactic material produced during the year and a publication of 10.000 copies devoted to children of primary schools, that will be distributed in the Region. On the website of the ED Forlì, space will be devoted to the project, whose visibility will also be granted by other web sites of the regional Europe directs.

Dates and duration: 1/12/2011-30/11/2012

Financing: European Union. Programme: Lifelong Learning - Jean Monnet

Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

Partner: Giovani Eurabili (Informal group of young people, Forlì – Italy); Pontes Association (Cluj-Napoca – Romania); Comune di Forlì (Italy); City Hall of Cluj-Napoca (Romania).

Summary:
The project “Let’s Speak Up! For Improving Our Democratic Vision” was implemented over a year and a half, from January 2010 to June 2011, in Forlì (Italy) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania), through various activities conducted in parallel by the participating partners. In Italy, activities were carried out by the Europe Direct Punto Europa center in Forlì, in collaboration with the informal group “Giovani Eurabili” and the Municipality of Forlì. In Romania, the association PONTES and the Municipality of Cluj-Napoca played a leading role.
The project aimed to encourage young citizens – particularly youth with visual impairments – to take an active role in their communities and become engaged citizens, fostering awareness and participation in representative democracy. This objective was pursued through education for participation: young people experienced the methods and concepts of representative democracy and active citizenship directly, through dialogue with local and European decision-makers. Initial research on European best practices served as a tool to foster a common reflection on youth participation in democratic life.
The project unfolded through several main activities. It began with a kick-off meeting in January 2010 to set the work plan, followed by group research on best European practices regarding representative democracy and youth participation. This research phase culminated in a workshop where participants drafted a resolution containing proposals to improve youth access to local and European institutions. A roundtable in December 2010 allowed young participants to discuss the resolution with experts and authorities. Interaction with decision-makers continued through shadowing activities with municipal councilors and Members of the European Parliament, allowing participants to experience decision-making at both local and European levels. All these activities were conducted simultaneously in Forlì and Cluj-Napoca.
The two groups finally met on 9–10 May in Forlì for a final Open Day, comparing experiences and results. The following pages document the outcomes of this intensive work: detailed descriptions of activities, the resolution approved by participants, explanations of each proposal, and two articles on visual impairment by Eleonora Ballocchi and Tamara Lo Vasco, key participants from the Forlì group.
Special thanks are extended to all who made the project possible: collaborators at Punto Europa (including Federica Arceri, Valeria Riccobono, and Elisa Pinelli), the PONTES association (especially Carmen Todorut), all the young participants, local decision-makers including Forlì councilors Davide Drei, Patrick Leech, and Valentina Ravaioli, and European Parliament members Salvatore Caronna and Norica Nicolaie. A particular acknowledgment goes to Marco Fossati, mobility and orientation expert for visually impaired individuals and creative facilitator, who was the true soul of the project.

Dates and Duration: 01/01/2010 – 30/06/2011

Funding: European Union, Youth in Action Programme

Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

ScientificCommittee and partner: Francesca Fauri (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Balboni (University of Bologna - Italy); Marco Borraccetti (University of Bologna - Italy); Mauro Maggiorani (University of Bologna - Italy); Centro Ricerche sull’integrazione europea – CRIE (University of Siena – Italy); Comune di Forlì (Italy); Comune di Faenza (Italy); Comune di Cesena (Italy); Provincia di Forlì-Cesena (Italy);

Summary: By means of the project “Parlamen-ti-amo", Europe Direct Forlì aimed to make aware the young generations of the Forli – Cesena Province about the European Union decision making processes in order to encourage a wider interests and participation to the European political debate on those issues that more affects everyday life of the young European citizens. In particular, by running this action Europe Direct Forlì intended to: improve the knowledge of the role and functioning of the European institutions and of the European Parliament in particular among the young students involved in the action;Strengthen their interest on the European political debate in order to raise an active citizenship and enhance their participation; make aware the young students of the Forlì-CesenaProvince of the European decision making process.Our purpose responded to the need for specific learning outcomes in the field of European Union institutions and affairs as requested by local schools in the previous years. In general all the proposed activities made aware the target group involved in the action of the role and functions of the European Parliament, promoting a live debate.A wide information about European Parliament and its role and functioning has been provided during the seminars. Furthermore, the assembly simulation (the 5-7 of March 2010) made students experience the political debate process and provided a platform for raising issue on environmental and equal opportunities debates in the local town Council with the participation of two representatives of the Town Council of Forlì. The competition “Parlamentiamo: I giovanied il Parlamento europeo, come esserecoinvolti” enhanced interest on European Parliament activities and stimulated their creativity on this theme. The target group affected by this action has been the age-group included in the secondary education stage (from 12 to 18 years old). On the base of the evaluation, we can count the participation of more than 4000 students to the seminar activities foreseen in the framework of the project in school years 2009 and 2009-2010. The presence of school teachers during the interactive seminars generated a multiplier effect in the other classes not directly affected by the action. Moreover, as the lessons has been held by university students (25 participants in 2 years), we can affirm that also this target group has been slightly affected by the action.Thanks to the evaluation analysis carried out we can measure the impact of the results reached. In particular we have pointed out a rise on the interest in European themes and many schools asked for replying the projects in the following years.

Dates and duration: 1/01/2009-15/06/2010

Funding: European Parliament

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Scientific Coordinator Giuliana Laschi.

Summary: Prof. Laschi has delivered evidence of a high level international teaching (EU and extra-EU), in publication records and organising several reflection activities targeting academic context, students and civil society. Being the president of the Scientific Committee of the Europe Direct Punto Europa Forlì, she will continue on exploit her role for implementing a large number of information and awareness activities and event. The JM chair will let her pursue the mission of spreading knowledge on EU integration in particular in the Forli Campus, and more in general a wider at national and international context. The activities foreseen include research, teaching and the organisation of several events (conferences, seminars, simulation activities, study visits, training courses) and outputs (website, book, DVD, brochures) aimed at enhance knowledge on EU studies in the academic context and among civil society.Research will focus on the history of external relation. Historiography studies are at a starting point even if external relations are at the centre of debating in political studies since the last decade. Through the chair, an historical investigation will be carried out in this direction, involving at different levels and stages, BA, MA, Phd students and several high values professors in a dynamic international framework. This action aims at spreading knowledge about EU integration both at academic and civil society level. Moreover the high importance of the theme of research, an impact in the international academic community is envisaged

Dates and duration: 1/9/2005-31/8/2010

Funding: European Union. Programme: Jean Monnet Action

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Coordinators: Giulia Olmi (CISP), Giuliana Laschi
Other faculty involved: Marco Balboni
Partners: Municipality of Forlì, CISP, Emilia-Romagna Region

Summary: This initiative is a cooperation between the Europe Direct Punto Europa center, CISP, and the Municipality of Forlì, focused on collaborative activities with the Sahrawi people. The project has been implemented through a series of continuous initiatives since 2006. Europe Direct provides support in developing and improving educational materials and textbooks, as well as in activities aimed at preserving Sahrawi cultural and historical memory and promoting human rights.

Funding: Emilia-Romagna Region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Municipality of Forlì

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Scientific Coordinator: Giuliana Laschi.
Partners: PestMegyeiEuròpaiInformàciòs Pont (Budapest – Hungary), Centro di Ricerca sull’Integrazione europea – CRIE (University of Siena – Italy)

Summary:
An analysis of available publications shows that no book on Europe has been published for elementary school children, nor are there such publications from the European Union. This gap needs to be addressed quickly, as it is essential that the children growing up in the new enlarged Europe have the opportunity to become familiar with it from an early age, learning about the countries that are part of it and the history that brought them together.
The project “Children of Europe” aims to create a book for elementary school children in Italy and Hungary, introducing them to the European Union and its member states. The book allows Hungarian children to learn about the countries they will come into close contact with in the future, while Italian children can discover the EU and its newly acceded member states. Moreover, children themselves will become important conveyors of knowledge for their parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends.
The manuscript is written in simple, child-friendly language by two children’s literature professionals, Stefano and Gualtiero Bordiglioni (the latter a student under Professors Sebesta and Laschi, completing his thesis under their supervision). This ensures a combination of sensitivity and expertise in both Europe and children’s literature. The scientific rigor of the text is further guaranteed by the supervision of Professor Giuliana Laschi.
The book includes a general introduction to the EU and its history, as well as descriptions of individual member states, with particular attention to the ten countries that joined in 2004. Illustrations by Mauro Monaldini, a professional in children’s graphic design, make the book engaging and visually appealing.
The project is implemented by Punto Europa – Forlì, in collaboration with the Pest Megyei Európai Információs Pont (EU Information Office, Budapest) and the Centre for Research on European Integration (C.R.I.E.) at the University of Siena, directed by Professor Ariane Landuyt. Approximately 14,000 copies will be printed—7,000 in Italian and 7,000 in Hungarian—and distributed to elementary schools in the provinces of Forlì-Cesena, Siena, and Budapest. The book will also be circulated within the network of universities collaborating with C.R.I.E. on the Master’s program “The European Integration Process” (including the Universities of Turin, Genoa, Pavia, Salamanca, Granada, Coimbra, Swansea, Strasbourg III – Robert Schuman I.E.P., Panteion University of Athens, and Jagiellonian University in Krakow), allowing for possible further translations and wider distribution.
The distribution will be accompanied by high-profile presentations in Forlì, Siena, and Budapest, attended by the authors, local authorities, school representatives, the organizations involved in the project, and representatives from the European Commission, including a member of the Commission’s Representation in Italy. These events will maximize media coverage and target schools, teachers, and school administrators, raising awareness of the EU enlargement and its growing importance for a future of peace and well-being in Europe.

Dates and duration: 12/2003 – 05/2004

Funding: European Union. European Commission, Representation in Italy – Implementation of information and/or communication actions within the framework of Enlargement.

Scientific Coordinator Lorenza Sebesta

In charge for the project: Victor Cristian Mortu (SVE)

Partner: EYE (Dunakeszi - Hungary), Fundatiasfintiitreiierarhi (Oradea – Romania), Bureau Information Jeunesse (Arles – France), IFAP (Apolda – Germany), BOFIT (Haiduboszormeny – Hungary), Service civil international (Lille – France), CEPAGE (Puget-théniers – France), Legambiente (Roma – Italy), Espacio Europa Joven (Leganés – Spain), Uniser (Forlì – Italy), Students league from “Dunarea de Jos” University (Galati – Romania), Cultural House of Students (Galati – Romania), Ruse Youth and cultural club (Ruse – Slovenia), Center for youth (Ruse – Slovenia), Provincia di Forlì-Cesena, Comune di Forlì,

Summary: The seminar is the result of our will to improve the knowledge and skills in order to respond better to young people’s interest for “European Voluntary Service” type of projects. Following the efforts of European Commisison in integrating the Eastern Europe countries within the Youth program despising the complex economical and political problems, we believe that more steps should be made from the western organizations in order to approach them selves to eastern ones.The transition process as well as the economical problems had caused problems to eastern organizations, first of all related to the aspect of mobility, affecting trough that the initiation or participation to a program of Exchanging Volunteers under Youth Program. Above all that, the eastern organization had succeeded in making them self’s an active presence in national and also European projects. Solving specific problems in order to develop an EVS project led to particular experience and knowledge that can and should be exchanged with organizations from west of Europe, but also, some experiences of Western organizations can help Eastern ones in the future to avoid issues incurring in their projects. This seminar calls for participation of organizations from East and West of Europe in order to step forward in properly integrate the Eastern organization and also to exchange good practices regarding the work in EVS projects as well as managing emergency cases during those projects. The seminar will be organized in Forli, Italy at the end of May (20-25 Wlay) and will gather 22 participants from countries from East and West of Europe; 1-2 persons from each country. The countries involved in the project are: Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary. The daily program will include open discussions, brainstorming session on the seminar themes as well as working groups that will be made up considering each and every ones interest. The themes of the seminar are: to identify the specific good practice developed by each organization (most of all the eastern ones) as a response to specific situations and needs; ensure the understanding of presented cases and mix together this skills (eastern and western ones) for future use in everyone’s activity; find a way to avoid or optimal manage the crisis and emergency situations during an EVS project (temporary or suddenly lack of money, last minute change of mind of the volunteer or organization etc.). In order to better copperhead all the aspects of presented situations, a project simulation will take place so that the participants will be able, after that, to conclude the errors and good practice regarding it. During the seminar, a public presentation will take place, presentation concerning organizations activity and projects opportunity along with exhibition stands, that will also ensure the impact on the local community (young people that will want to participate in EVS projects in other countries through the organizations participating at the seminar). This exhibition is also the best way for the present organizations to find out more about each other and establish partnerships in future common projects. The intercultural learning aspect will be ensured by mutual understanding pointing the fact that the local or national culture ensure specific working environment developing methods in approaching certain issues. This will help the participants to uncover their common basis concerning the seminar themes as well as the EVS projects in general. The dissemination of the project results will be made first of all by the participants by sharing this seminar experience inside their organization (and direct partners) and also through a final results paper that will contain the common and/or new good practices that all participants agreed on.

Dates and duration: 20/5/2003-25/5/2003

Funding: European Union. Programme: youth – Action 5

Este archivo representa una de las tres columnas que sostienen la memoria histórica del Punto Europa de Buenos Aires, cuyo arco temporal de vida se extendió de 2003 hasta 2017. Alberga cierto material “pesado” (videos y objetos digitales) producido por el centro en sus últimos años de vida que, por cuestiones técnicas, nunca fue integrado en el sitio de la representación de la Universidad de Bologna en Buenos Aires (UNIBO-BA), donde siempre se alojó el centro. Las otras dos columnas son:

1. un archivo adentro del sitio de la misma representación, que incluye principalmente las actividades de investigación (locales e internacionales) y de difusión llevadas a cabo por Punto Europa: http://www.ba.unibo.it/investigacion/punto-europa

2. un espacio del AlmaDL Journals, la biblioteca digital relativa a los periódicos del ateneo de Bologna, donde se aloja la revista producida a lo largo de la vida del centro, Puente@Europa: https://puenteeuropa.unibo.it/.

Nacimos en 2003, tomando como referencia una experiencia similar de la Universidad de Bologna, campus de Forlì, donde en 1999 se había formado el actual Punto Europa. A partir del pedido del fundador de UNIBO-BA, Giorgio Alberti, docente de la universidad de Bologna, la responsable del Punto Europa-Forlì, Lorenza Sebesta, profesora Jean Monnet ad personam, creó Punto Europa de Buenos Aires para acompañar la actividad didáctica de la sede, en particular de la Maestría en Relaciones Internacionales Europa-América Latina, con tareas de extensión e investigación.

El centro se propuso como lugar de reflexión y estudio de la realidad compleja y cambiante de Europa, de un lado, y de América Latina, del otro, con especial foco en sus instancias de integración regional y en los problemas comunes.

Consideramos que UNIBO-BA era el lugar ideal para iniciar este diálogo. Nacida en 1998, ella simbolizaba, por la composición de su cuerpo docente y sus estudiantes, así como por la estructura de sus cursos, un puente entre Italia y Argentina, entre América Latina y Europa. De hecho, los integrantes de Punto Europa (desde el primero, Pablo Milanese, hasta el último, Paolo Galassi, pasando por sus dos pilares históricos, Martín Obaya y Luciana Gil), se habían formado previamente en la mencionada Maestría. Entre las pocas excepciones a esa regla se cuenta Emiliano Montenegro, diseñador gráfico y artista que dio una imagen propia al centro y a su revista.

Los esfuerzos del centro se concentraron en los primeros años en publicaciones, conferencias, seminarios y cursos de formación. Los módulos europeos Jean Monnet, llevados a cabo a partir de 2004 gracias al Programa Jean Monnet de la Unión Europea, fueron el mascarón de proa del Punto Europa en sus inicios. Sus animadora y alma mater fue Susana Czar de Zalduendo, ilustre impulsora del estudio de la integración regional en Argentina y docente de la Maestría.

La participación de Punto Europa en el Observatorio de las Relaciones Unión Europea-América Latina (OBREAL), un proyecto internacional encabezado por la Universitat de Barcelona y sostenido por la Comisión Europea entre 2005 y 2008, fue ocasión para que las reflexiones intelectuales promovidas por Punto Europa pudieran consolidarse y enmarcarse en el proceso de institucionalización de las relaciones birregionales UE-AL.

En 2009, a raíz de su empeño en temas de integración, la sede fue seleccionada para constituir un Centro de Excelencia Jean Monnet, instituciones que, al día de hoy, todavía constituyen una rareza en todo el continente latinoamericano. A partir de este nuevo impulso, el Centro expandió sus actividades dedicadas a la integración europea y latinoamericana, así como a las relaciones entre las dos regiones. A través de los años, pudo beneficiarse de programas europeos de la Acción Jean Monnet que le permitieron organizar seminarios y conferencias en colaboración con socios e instituciones locales e internacionales, así como promover investigaciones multilaterales. El Centro de Excelencia terminó sus tareas en 2014, al concluirse los cinco años de actividades previstas originariamente.

Finalmente, gracias a un convenio de colaboración entre UNIBO y el Consulado General de Italia (2014), el Punto Europa, hasta su clausura en 2017, volcó también sus intereses hacia el tema de los migrantes italianos en la República Argentina y los fenómenos políticos, sociales, culturales y económicos vinculados a esta experiencia paradigmática de intercambio entre Europa y América Latina.