In the ParadiplomacyLab, we want to build a vibrant community of scholars in paradiplomacy and city diplomacy. We're all about connecting like-minded researchers and making the complexities of international engagement at the subnational level clear and accessible to everyone. Our initiatives include:
1. PARADIPLOMACY SCHOLARS FORUM
In September 2023, we established the Paradiplomacy Scholars Forum. This initiative represents a collaborative effort between our Paradiplomacy Lab and several leading academic institutions, including the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) from Belgium, the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas, and the Universidad Iberoamericana from Mexico. The Forum was conceived as a platform to unite scholars and practitioners from around the globe studying city diplomacy and paradiplomacy.
Since its inception, the Forum has gathered approximately 70 individuals from almost 30 countries, establishing a diverse and dynamic network of experts. We organise regular online research seminars, sections and panels at academic conferences, plan joint projects and grant applications and offer networking and communication platforms for paradiplomacy scholars.
2. DIALOGUE WITH POLICY-MAKERS
We try to present our research to the policy-makers. In 2021, we were engaged in drafting the European Parliament resolution on EU-China relations, proposing amendments regarding the need to coordinate the EU’s policy with local and regional authorities cooperating with China. Our proposals were included in the final version of the document.
In 2022, we were invited twice to brief US diplomats on our findings on EU-China city-to-city relations. The first meeting occurred in Brussels; the second was an online session for a wider audience of American diplomats from State Departments and various American embassies in Europe.
3. PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND LECTURES
Our team members also engage in educational activities targeting diplomats and professionals who want to develop the knowledge and skills required when working for sub-national units. We were invited to run workshops on MBA programmes at Vistula University or the School of Modern Diplomacy, organised by the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS).
4. MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
The team of Paradiplomacy Lab is active in international scientific societies, taking part in conferences, seminars, and networking opportunities of such organisations as:
- University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES): https://www.uaces.org/
- European International Studies Association (EISA): https://eisa-net.org/
- European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR): https://ecpr.eu/
- International Studies Association (ISA): https://www.isanet.org/