Lead: James Meadowcroft, Carleton University

Canada and the EU have significant potential to expand their cooperation on environmental and sustainability problems that include, amongst others: the energy/climate change linkage, chemicals policy, and Arctic and protected areas. Additionally, this cluster theme will incorporate multi-disciplinary approaches to elaborating the study of modern environmental and sustainable governance in issue areas including: the integration of economic, social and environmental decision making; the science/policy linkage; the involvement of stakeholders and the public; and the challenge of multi-level governance.

For more information go to: http://www.carleton.ca/europecluster/documents/TRG1.pdf

Leads: Oliver Schmidtke (University of Victoria, Immigration) and Denis Saint- Martin (Université de Montréal, Social Policy)

This thematic area covers a wide range of issues wherein the primary focus will be the study of, and interrelation of, immigration/multiculturalism and social policy. Both Canada and the EU face challenges relating to social exclusion, integration and marginalization amongst immigrants and youth. The cluster aims to disseminate Canada's approaches towards multicultural, citizenship, and immigration policies in order to provide Europeans with nuanced insights for incorporating immigrant groups into society. Additionally, this thematic area encompasses issues relating to recognition, shifting demographic and economic inclusion patterns, as well as the welfare state.

For more information go to http://www.carleton.ca/europecluster/documents/TRG2.pdf

Leads: Kurt Huebner (University of British Columbia, economics aspect) and Armand de Mestral (McGill University, legal aspect)

Through the combination of expertise on economic and monetary integration and legal expertise, this theme focuses on mutually reinforcing Canada-EU economic engagements. While Canada is represented in all international economic institutions, it is more a policy-taker than a policy-maker in global economic affairs. The EU, in contrast, is considered the global pace-setter in the field of regional economic integration. In light of challenges such as the financial crisis, but also Canada-EU free-trade negotiations, this thematic area will continue to be highly important. Areas of interest may include: monetary and currency fluctuations; the EU's internal economic system; and Canada's potential economic influence on its European partners.

For more information go to http://www.carleton.ca/europecluster/documents/TRG3.pdf

Leads: Joan DeBardeleben (Carleton University, democracy aspect) and Amy Verdun (University of Victoria, governance aspect)

This thematic group explores increasingly important challenges for advanced democracies. Both Canada and the EU face common challenges to the functioning of their federal democratic systems that include: declining democratic participation (or falling voter turnout), deteriorating political legitimacy, improving government accountability and responsiveness, and ameliorating multi-level governance. Canada and the EU are therefore natural partners who can increase their cooperation in the area of democratic deficits and successful policy coordination in order to encourage popular democratic engagement and participation amongst their citizens.

For more information go to http://www.carleton.ca/europecluster/documents/TRG4.pdf

Leads: Frederic Merand (Université de Montréal), (Jeff Kopstein, University of Toronto)

Canada and the EU wish to increase their cooperation as well as international significance. In forging a strong foreign policy relationship, Canada must take into account that for external relations; EU decision-making can be highly complicated differing significantly from traditional nation-states. From the EU-side, Canada must not be neglected due to its small population and proximity to the U.S. Thus far, the two parties have achieved some highly positive results in their international cooperation including: international conflict management; the reinforcement of international law; promotion of human rights; and promoting multilateral or international regimes to address global security concerns.