Joint Programme of Activities

Operational Goals And Means To Achieve Them

CONNEX aims to achieve these objectives through a Joint Programme of Activities comprising 3 Tasks:

(1) Task 1:  ‘stock taking’

CONNEX has already started with activities to make transparent on-going research in different parts of Europe. Links have been established to all relevant national and trans-national research programmes and a network of scholars has been built up covering 23 European countries. Within the first 18 months a survey will be organised in order (a) to evaluate the state of the art by national reports and (b) to collect data on relevant research in progress all over Europe. This information will go into an on-line database open to all prospective users. International conferences on key issues have been and will be organised in order to gain a critical assessment of the overall state of the art in Europe. These activities are bound to reveal the wealth of knowledge already produced and blank spots in research. more...

(2) Task 2:  ‘Integrating research’

“Efficient and democratic governance in a multi-level Europe” is the core theme. After intensive discussions with scholars from different disciplines and approaches this core theme has been divided into four adjacent thematic areas and 6 thematically oriented Research Groups have been formed. They bring together scholars from various scientific communities who contribute to the common research questions by introducing their own research results and by initiating new research efforts. This common effort will help to map and analyse the conditions for more efficiency and democratic legitimacy of European governance. Research will be decentralised but a strong management structure will ensure integration. Research will be peer reviewed and open to the input from users. more...

(3) Task 3:  ‘Training and dissemination’

CONNEX aims at a durable infrastructure for communication and dissemination of research results. An innovative instrument will be the e-published “Living Reviews”. They will give the research community an instrument to keep track of a rapidly evolving field of research. A regularly updated review based on well defined criteria will provide transparency and set standards. An editorial board and a peer review system will ensure high quality. An on-line working paper series will be established. Both activities shall continue after the project period. CONNEX has invited NewGov to participate in these activities. Training will include a number of activities. NewGov has agreed that CONNEX participants will be invited to take part in NewGov training activities. more...