The senior lecturer at the Department of Economics of Polotsk State University E. Kostyuchenko took part in the course “Advanced Programme in European Law and Economics for ENP countries and Central Asia”, held by Riga Graduate School of Law in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Norwegian Council of State.
Elena Kostyuchenko:
– During the internship at Riga Graduate School of Law (Riga, Latvia) that was carried out in April-June 2018, I took part in the course “Advanced Programme in European Law and Economics for ENP countries and Central Asia”. The conference gathered 29 participants and 10 European Neighbourhood and Central Asia countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan).
According to the syllabus the lectures were focused on understanding law, economic and political aspects of international relations with the use of interdisciplinary approach. The main topic of the course was chosen in order to ensure the diversity and integrity of the interdisciplinary approach. The programme was directed at distinguishing main principles and values in each field (law, economics and politics) in order to contribute to the common understanding of those principles and values in addition to more technical skills that are connected with international negotiations, institutional cooperation and organizing structures, including the European Union.
The course lasted 12 weeks and included the following disciplines:
- International relations and economic diplomacy,
- Economic development and international trade,
- National policy development,
- Regional monetary development,
- International law and multicultural environment,
- Regulation of international conflicts and arguments,
- Basic rights,
- Project management at public institutions,
- The development of the European Union law,
- Preparation of legal documents,
- Budgetary planning and supremacy of law,
- Effective management, fraud and corruption.
Apart from lectures and seminars, the participants of the course attended extracurricular classes in the form of trainings aimed at building high-efficiency teams, making decisions in teams and conflict management. They also visited some institutions, ministries and departments in Latvia (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, the Government, the Parliament, the Constitutional Court and others).
Also the course included the trip to Belgium and Luxembourg when the guests had a chance to visit national and European institutions: the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Union Council and the Council of Europe, the European External Action Service, the European think tank Breugel in Brussels, also the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, the European Stability Mechanism and the European Court in Luxembourg.
Within the framework of the study process all the participants prepared group presentations and individual tasks, then successfully passed the exams.
According to the results of the course the participants were awarded Certificates determining their successful completion of the course.
This internship has been very useful not only for gaining theoretical knowledge in the field of law, economic and political aspects of the international relations and practical skills, connected with international negotiations, institutional cooperation and organizing structures, including the European Union, but also for learning methods of teaching used at Riga Graduate School of Law within lecturers and seminars, also discussions and trainings. The internship has been a great chance to get acquainted with Latvian system of higher education, also to find new friends from all over the world.
