BIP | The EU-LAC relations in a shifting World Order

Dal 03.03.2026 al 26.03.2026

The SPGI Department is pleased to announce the selection of 10 MA students (5 from the MA in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance and 5 from the MA in International Relations and Diplomacy) for the Blended Intensive Program (BIP) called The EU-LAC relations in a shifting World Order.

Blended Intensive Program (BIP) is a component of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 initiative. This BIP will be held in a B-Learning modality designed to integrate virtual and in-person learning modules. The in-person part will be held in the facilities of the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal.

This BIP is specifically targeted at Master's and PhD students in fields related to International Relations, Political Science, International Business, and Public Administration.

The core practical component of the BIP is the Game Simulation: Model EUROLAC. In this simulation, participants will represent EUROLAT member countries, engaging in structured discussions on pressing topics like democracy, human rights, and interregional challenges. This final activity culminates in the co-creation of a resolution that formally covers the subject of the debate, effectively putting theory into practice.

This singular approach blends theoretical instruction with the opportunity to actively simulate the EUROLAT Interparliamentary Assembly. Participants will be assigned a country, requiring them to research its specific projects and interests on the discussion topics. By embodying the role of a diplomat, participants will develop a deeper understanding of Latin American political and regional dynamics, and interregional relations. Upon completion, all participants are expected to be able to critically analyze EU-LAC ties, evaluate policy frameworks, and apply their knowledge to real-world diplomatic and governance challenges.

Participants
10 students from each partner institution will be selected. The University of Padova will select 5 students from the MA in Human Rights and Multilevel Governance and 5 students from the MA in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Program of the Course
First-part (online) – one week (03 to 06 of March, 2026)
1. Course presentation, class presentation and country assignment activity;
2. European Union and its foreign relations: for beyond the borders of Europe;
3. Regional integration in Latin America: multiple Americas in one continent;
4. Nuclear Non-Proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy: the European and the Latin American cases;

Second-part (in-person) – one week (18 to 23 of May,2026)
1. Interregional partnership for democracy under stress;
2. The social dimension in the EU and LAC integration project;
3. The Human Rights and refugee protection regime in the EU and the Inter-American system;
4. Challengers of world order and the EU-LAC: a matter of adaptability or survival?
5. Evaluation: Eurolat Assembly Simulation (students will engage in a Model United Nations style of simulation but simulating an EUROLAT meeting);

Working language
To guarantee an equal participation and understanding from all participants, this BIP will be conducted in English. Therefore, it is recommended that for a better engagement with the discussions and contents, participants hold at least a B2 level, or equivalent, in English.

Credits Assigned
The students will be enrolled in a non-degree conferring course at University of Minho (6 ECTS) equivalent to 6 ECTS at University of Padova.

UNIPD Selection
Before the application in Uniweb students have to read carefully the Call for applications attached. Students should check the specific prerequisites and the required mandatory documents for the application. In case of technical problems with the procedure in Uniweb, students can write to virtual.exchange@unipd.it