Since its inception in 2015/16, the Mediterranean Studies programme has come a long way. What have been the highlights of the past two years?
In addition to the academic stays in Nice, Tunis and Istanbul, for the last three years we have offered a study trip to Dakar (Senegal) and Banjul (The Gambia) in cooperation with our partner Groupe Sup de Co Dakar. Given that many Mediterranean people live on the African continent, we thought it would be useful to reflect on the common challenges faced by these countries and then see how the European Union can help to overcome them. As well as getting to know the countries and their particular characteristics, the students visit the EU delegations. Exchanges with the EU Ambassadors in Dakar and Banjul help them to understand Euro-Mediterranean and Euro-African cooperation. The study trip also includes visits to NGOs working on youth, hunger and humanitarian issues, as well as cultural outings including the Gorée Island.
What are the main themes covered in this programme?
The "Conflict Management and Peacemaking" module begins with European integration and then goes on to analyse some of the other conflicts in the world. The "Economics, Sustainable Development, Inequalities and Poverty" module begins with an overview of the world economy, before moving on to the European economy and development economics. In both cases, the strength of our course lies in combining academic knowledge with an understanding of the realities on the ground. It's one thing to analyse the challenges of development from a comfortable perspective; it's quite another to experience them and try to understand them first-hand. The "Mediterranean Societies and Cultures" module analyses the many strengths and constraints of the Mediterranean region. And finally, the "Regional Integration and Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation" module aims to consider the reasons why different players may or may not cooperate with each other.
Could you tell us about the partner institutions in this programme?
With the Mahmoud El Materi University in Tunis, we share courses with students and teachers from both institutions. Institutional and cultural meetings complete the programme. The same applies to Groupe Sup de Co Dakar. Bilgi University in Istanbul is an American university where students in the Mediterranean programme meet up with CIFE students from the Global Studies programme. These partnerships offer total immersion and lead to fruitful cooperation for all parties, such as the participation of students in the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Tunisia two years ago, or the joint organisation of round tables in Dakar with the participation of the EU and its ambassador.
What do you think makes this programme unique?
As far as we know, it's unique to discover five countries in nine months and to share courses, round tables, official meetings, outings and cultural activities with three recognised academic partners. The intercultural dimension is fundamental. The group of students is itself cosmopolitan and so is the academic team.
The five study locations - Nice, Tunis, Dakar, Banjul and Istanbul - require students to adapt to a certain extent. Can you tell us what this experience is like for the participants? And how does CIFE support them throughout the year?
It's a year full of discoveries and emotions. For example, visiting Gorée Island and the house of the slaves is a moving experience, and visiting the Medina in Tunis is a source of wonder for the students. The atmosphere in Istanbul and the Bosphorus are a dream come true, and the graduation ceremony on a boat on the river is an unforgettable experience.
Academic continuity is ensured by regular meetings with the Programme Director, as well as other teachers who aid and advise students in their research work. The Student Service team provides personalised support and assists students throughout the year with organisational and logistical matters.
What academic profiles are you looking for?
There are no predetermined profiles. Whilst we welcome people with a background in humanities and social sciences, above all we value their ability to adapt to different environments, their intellectual and cultural curiosity and their ability to live together, without of course overlooking their academic level.
And what can you become after studying this programme? Can you give us some examples?
Three professional fields emerge after the programme: working in the international and European institutions, national ministries and administrations, and NGOs. Then there is the private sector and further studies at doctorate level.
We can mention four concrete examples of the positions held by our Alumni:
1/ Executive Assistant, Africa Department, French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Paris;
2/ Programme Officer, EU Delegation to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire;
3/ Political Expert, General Commission for Refugees and Stateless People in Belgium;
4/ Senior Policy Officer at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Bilateral Cooperation with Tunisia.