Research Centre for European Law (Unitelma Sapienza)
The Research Centre for European Law (CRDE) is a multidisciplinary laboratory for studies and research, mainly focused on European integration, both on its international dimension and on the European Union. The constant reference point is, indeed, the process of integration in Europe in its various aspects.
Established in 2015 by "Unitelma Sapienza" University of Rome, the CRDE is currently led by its Director, Professor Enzo Cannizzaro, Full Professor of European Union and International Law at "Sapienza" University of Rome. The CRDE gathers scholars interested in the various disciplines and phenomena related to the European integration. The Centre is always open to new collaboration opportunities with the aim of extending its research fields beyond purely legal disciplines as well as of multiplying its scientific prospects.
The pillars of the CRDE’s philosophy and its activities are reflected in the international and European dimension, as well as in the interdisciplinary and dynamic character of its research.
The international and European dimension
The CRDE has a strong international and European dimension, characterized by:
- a research group that includes scholars from the most prestigious Italian and European universities;
- a European and international calling of the Centre reflected in both its research topics and its objectives;
- a globally open and free access approach to scientific results of the CRDE’s work, published in European Papers - Quaderni Europei - Carnets européens - a multilingual online Journal promoted by the CRDE, born as an endeavor to establish a forum for discussions on European integration as a tool for developing a new political community;
- an organic cooperation with other national and international research institutions, aimed at the development of joint research projects;
- a direct involvement in decision and law-making process at the international and European level, as well as an active participation in the proceedings before the international and European supervisory and judicial bodies, in particular as amicus curiae – both activities reflect the core objective of the CRDE’s Law Clinic;
- the organization of interdisciplinary training sessions and seminars, which represent an opportunity for a fruitful discussion among Italian and foreign scholars.
Interdisciplinary character
The CRDE is primarily focused on European and international law. Nevertheless, the Centre encourages the participation and exchange of visiting scholars and/or researchers from foreign institutions and universities. In addition, the CRDE promotes interdisciplinary studies and research in the field of European integration, building a comprehensive framework for analysis that is capable of connecting and integrating European and international perspectives on the matter.
Dynamic character
The CRDE is an ideal forum for academic discussions and debates as well as for the development of various study and research activities on the matters of European and international law, particularly because of its dynamic nature. Over the last year the Centre has already contributed to the scientific and research legacy with, among others, the following activities:
- Gaetano Morelli Lectures (info here and here), training sessions/seminars with the participation of the most distinguished international and/or European law scholars as speakers; the Lectures aim at providing an opportunity for a study and critical discussion among young scholars, both Italian and foreigner (Lectures' videos: GMLs 2nd Ed. - 2015 "Decisions of the ICJ as Sources of International Law?"; GMLs 3rd Ed. - 2016 "International Procedural Law: Common Principles or General Principles?" - Gaetano Morelli Lectures Series: The Present and Future of Jus Cogens edited by Enzo Cannizzaro (2015)).
- Corso di Alta Formazione "I Diritti Fondamentali in Europa" (Professional Training Course on "The Fundamental Rights in Europe") (more info here)– an online professional training course on the protection of human rights in Europe. The Course aims at providing an advanced – theoretical and practical – knowledge of fundamental economic and social rights within the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights framework.
- Law Clinc on International and European Law, a forum for study and research activities, which has as its main objectives: 1) intervening as amicus curiae in front of European and international supervisory and judicial bodies; 2) submitting observations before international organizations on the matters of legislative or institutional processes; 3) drafting legislative proposals aimed at enhancing the compliance of the domestic legal order with the requirements of European and international law.
- Research Projects, the CRDE is already a reference point in the development of research projects, at the national and at the European level. Moreover, taking into account the Centre’s cooperation with project management companies, the CRDE tends to develop strategies to access the EU funding for research programs.
