Scope on Global Public Goods

The Maastricht Debates is using the notion of Global Public Goods as its intellectual framework. The International Task Force on Global Public Goods identifies six global public goods:

• Preventing the emergence and spread of infectious disease.
• Tackling climate change
• Enhancing international financial stability
• Strengthening the international trading system
• Achieving peace and security
• Generating knowledge.

This framework is used as flexible reference for organising the public events without being a blueprint. See further the website of the International Task Force.

European angle

In particular in 2008 and 2009, 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, the 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, the Maastricht Debates is internationally networked and is in the position to attract renown speakers to Maastricht.

Online and offline

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

Aims

The 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.

The 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, the Maastricht Debates will try to link up with complementary events, such as international conferences, exhibitions, or cultural events.

Market research

At its start in 2006, the 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 the 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.