The Jean Monnet Chair of the UMH Renforcer les valeurs de l’UE. Le rôle de la citoyenneté active (Ref: 611526-EPP-1-2019-1-ES-EPPJMO-CHAIR), held by Prof. Dr. ELENA CRESPO NAVARRO aims to promote, consolidate and reinforce from the Miguel Hernández University the activities to promote knowledge, reflection, debate and research on the European Union and its values, and on the importance of such values in the functioning of the EU.
The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including those of persons belonging to minorities. Values that are common to the member states in a society characterized by pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between men and women (Art. 2 Treaty of the European Union)
Since the creation of the European Union as such with the Maastricht Treaty, the aim has been to reinforce the democratic principle and the rights of European citizenship in the process of European integration. The preservation and reinforcement of the EU’s values are essential for the proper functioning of the Union and for ensuring the well-being of its citizens. In a period like the one we are living in, in which such values are threatened from various fronts, the active involvement of citizens in the care and defense of our values is particularly necessary. The European Union puts at our disposal, to a different extent and through different channels, tools and mechanisms for direct participation in democratic life and in the construction of its future. It is essential that we understand these mechanisms and use them to make our voice heard in Europe.
To achieve these objectives, from the Chair we carry out various actions:
- Specialized training activities aimed at the university community (undergraduate, master and doctoral students).
- Cooperation and dialogue between university specialists from different universities, professionals and other members of society.
- Various training and research actions aimed at a wider audience, open to all sectors of society that may have an interest in the subject (Summer courses, Conferences, Seminars …).
- Collaboration with the Legal Clinic of the UMH, betting on a training model based on the relationship between social and legal reality through direct contact with practice in matters in which the values of the EU are at stake, linked to the defense of vulnerable groups. It is about promoting the awareness of students about real social needs and thus reinforcing their active role as citizens and their direct contribution to defending the values of the EU.
- Research activities (scientific publications, research stays, congresses-seminars, doctoral thesis supervision …)
The Jean Monnet Chair Renforcer les valeurs de l’UE. Le rôle de la citoyenneté active, is the second one held by Profa. Dr. Elena Crespo Navarro, who was previously the holder of the Jean Monnet Chair: The external action of the European Union regarding the protection of human rights (2013-2016).
Furthermore, in previous years he coordinated several Jean Monnet Modules on the European Union and human rights, (2004-2007) and (2008-2013).