Patricia S

- Research Program Mentor

Project ideas

EU - China Human Rights Relations

Especially in recent years the human rights situation in China is deteriorating. The EU struggles to find a common way to react. While German and Dutch foreign policies are strongly aligned with the principles undermining EU human rights affairs and proactively support EU activities with the Asian giant, Hungary frequently decides to put a lower emphasis on the protection of human rights, hoping to advance its economic and trade interests with China. In this project, the student is exploring how the EU reacts to human rights abuses in China. Which diplomatic channels is the EU using to communicate with the Asian giant and to promote European interests? And how does the interplay between norms (such as human rights) and economic interests shape EU Member States' negotiations with China?

China's involvement in Africa

Africa has become a new focus in Chinese foreign policy. But what is China really up to in Africa? What impact has Chinese development assistance and how does this impact the dynamics in international relations? If you're interested we can also add the EU to this relationship - making it triangular. In fact, development policy has become an area of competition between the EU and China. How are China and the EU competing over development assistance in Africa?