Annual focus

Maastricht Debates chooses a specific focus for its annual series. In 2009-2010 the scope is on 'money', used as flexible reference for organising the public events without being a blueprint.

In the period 2007-2009 the notion of Global Public Goods was used as intellectual framework. In the academic year 2010 - 2011, Maastricht Debates will focus its activities around Cities.

European angle

International issues under debate will be linked with a European policy perspective under the title 'Europe in the World'. This is reflecting and strengthening the European profile of Maastricht.

Broad network base

Maastricht Debates is a collaborative, networking effort. Through cooperation, it strengthens (the profile of) the strong internationally-oriented knowledge base existing in Maastricht. This directly helps in promoting Maastricht beyond its borders.

Strong student involvement

Through Concordantia and other student groupings, Maastricht Debates guarantees a strong student involvement: in format, topics, speakers, organisation and marketing. At least one of the public events per year is primarily organised by students, taken into account the overall scope and programme.

Internationally networked

Through the Society of International Development, Maastricht Debates is internationally networked and is in the position to attract renown speakers to Maastricht.

Online and offline

Maastricht Debates stimulates online debating before, during or after a real-life event. It stimulates pre-consultative rounds between (a group of) participants and the keynote speakers, the results of which are used at the event itself.

Bi-monthly

In principle, every two months, Maastricht Debates organises a public event with a high degree of interactivity between speakers and audience. Where opportunities arise, Maastricht Debates will try to link up with complementary events, such as international conferences, exhibitions, or cultural events.

Aims

Maastricht Debates aims to:

• Create a regional platform for discussion on topical issues in the area of international cooperation and globalisation
• Stimulate regional and local networking among professionals and students in the area of international cooperation and globalisation.
• Promote Maastricht and its institutes as a centre of expertise on issues of international cooperation and globalisation.
• Stimulate public support in the region for international cooperation.
• Feed the public debate for international cooperation in the Netherlands as a whole through collaboration with other activities of SID Netherlands.

Maastricht Debates is a variety type of debating activities, encompassing presentations by (high level) personalities combined with inputs from discussants; panel discussions; interactive discussion rounds following presentations, or lectures; etc. Where opportunities arise, Maastricht Debates tries to link up with complementary events, such as international conferences, exhibitions, or cultural events.

Market research

At its start in 2006, Maastricht Debates asked UniPartners Maastricht to perform a market research. The research was meant to examine the degree to which professionals and students in Maastricht are interested in Maastricht Debates, as well as to find out a number of preferences of potential visitors that could be helpful in the organisation of the events. The conclusions are very positive.