UNITA awards 17 bachelor’s and master’s theses on European citizenship
UNITA organised a dissertation competition on European citizenship that resulted in 17 winning students from 7 universities across the Alliance. The aim was to contribute to a better understanding of the European identity. The winning theses introduces a variety of topics. From the Eurovision Festival to Ecodesign and Circular Economy. The bachelor’s students have been awarded 200 euros and the master’s students 400 euros. We interviewed some of them. UNIZAR Iker Epelde is a student of the Master in Circular Economy and currently works at Bilibin Circular, a consultancy where he carried out this project. He studied Mechanical Engineering and is interested in combining industrial design with Ecodesign, rethinking products and offering innovative solutions from a circular perspective. This master’s thesis analyses the environmental impact of three food packaging products through Ecodesign, as part of the EKODIS-FOOD project promoted by the Basque Food Cluster. Through a life cycle analysis (LCA), it shows that eco-designed packaging is more environmentally sustainable than conventional packaging, reaffirming that Eco-design is key to reducing environmental impact in the food chain. Beatriz Pelegay has studied a double international degree in Management and Public Administration at the University of Zaragoza and Political Science and International Relations at the University of Valle d’Aosta in Italy. She is currently preparing for the competitive examinations for the position of Secretary-Comptroller and working. Her work reviews the public policies applied to the phenomenon of depopulation in Aragon and, in particular, the social sphere of women, due to their decisive nature for these measures to be effective. All administrative levels (from the European Union to local authorities) have implemented actions to tackle this problem, which is a pressing one for the territories of many European states and is a reason for a lack of cohesion in European citizenship. SAVOIE MONT BLANC François Arthebise studied a Master’s degree in Modern and Contemporary History Research. He is currently preparing for the teaching exam in History and Geography. The thesis focuses on the international actions of the city of Annecy between 1956 and 2017. The research examines the key players and motivations that have made Annecy a city with European and global influence. He was particularly interested in Annecy’s cooperation and events due to his passion for contemporary history and international relations through cultural exchanges. Matteo Anthony Carotti, is pursuing a double degree in Business Law in Chambéry and European Legal Studies in Turin. He is interested on the EU’s external action, particularly in the intersection of defense and Green sustainability. He chose “The European Union as a Global Security Actor” due to the pressing security challenges Europe faces, requiring diplomatic and deterrence mechanisms to address conflicts. More specifically, his dissertation examines the EU’s evolution in defense, from foundational treaties to initiatives like PESCO and the Strategic Compass. It analyzes missions like EULEX Kosovo and EUFOR ALTHEA, EU-NATO collaboration, and proposes strategies for enhancing coordination, cybersecurity, and military mobility. UNITO Depetris Matilde is graduated in Scienze Internazionali, dello Sviluppo e della Cooperazione at the University of Turin. She was awarded the UNITA Prize, section “three-year dissertations”, with the dissertation “Non sono solo canzonette: analisi multidimensionale del fenomeno dell’Eurovision Song Contest”. This thesis analyzes the ESC’s role as a cultural and political platform, exploring its impact on national and European identity construction and its influence on international relations. The study examines the ESC’s history, its reflection of geopolitical tensions, and its role in promoting cultural diplomacy, nation branding, and LGBTQ+ rights. The thesis concludes that the ESC is not merely a musical competition but a complex phenomenon that offers insights into the complexities of contemporary Europe and the potential of music as a tool for international dialogue and understanding. Kimia Dayhim is graduate in Global Law and Transnational Legal Studies at the University of Turin. She was awarded the UNITA Prize, section “three-year dissertations”, with the dissertation “Comparative Study of Abortion Legislation and Case Law in Italy, Ireland, Poland and Malta”. This thesis examines abortion legislation and case law in Italy, Ireland, Poland, and Malta, highlighting the diverse approaches influenced by religious, cultural, and legal factors. While all four countries share a Catholic heritage, their laws range from relatively liberal (Italy and post-2018 Ireland) to extremely restrictive (Poland and Malta). The study analyzes the historical context, current frameworks, and international concerns surrounding abortion in each country, exploring the impact on women’s access to services and the ongoing debate between religious beliefs and women’s rights. Greta Caratozzolo is a graduate in Law at the University of Turin. She was awarded the UNITA Prize, section “postgraduate theses”, with the thesis “EU citizenship as a consequence and as a limit to the acquisition of national citizenship: the case of investor schemes”. This thesis examines the relationship between EU citizenship and national citizenship, focusing on the implications of investor schemes. It explores the evolution of EU citizenship, its rights, and the acquisition and loss of both EU and national citizenship. The thesis analyzes the legal framework governing these processes, particularly the “genuine link” requirement for acquiring nationality. It then delves into the controversial issue of Residence by Investment (RBI) and Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes, highlighting their potential to undermine the essence of EU citizenship by granting nationality without a genuine link. The thesis ends by discussing the implications of these schemes in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing legal challenge to Malta’s CBI scheme before the Court of Justice. Alessia Giacumbo is graduated in Scienze del governo at the University of Turin. She was awarded the UNITA Prize, section “postgraduate theses”, with the thesis “Oltre la tutela giurisdizionale: dall’esperienza del Mediatore europeo alle forme di garanzia in Italia”. This paper examines alternative forms of guarantee to traditional judicial ones, focusing on the Ombudsman and recent sectoral guarantee figures. While primarily focusing on the Italian case, the study adopts a broader European perspective, comparing different legal systems in a historical-legal key. The research aims to highlight the significant contribution these guarantee figures offer in protecting rights and responding to citizens’ growing political disaffection. By