When Finland joined the EU in 1995, social science research on European integration was rather modest, involving only a handful of people. The Programme on European Policy-Making was established at the University of Helsinki's Department of Political Science in 1997 in order to coordinate research and teaching in the area. Since 1997, a number of research projects have been carried out in the EU-programme's four fields of emphasis: Citizens and the EU; The Institutions and Decision-Making of the EU; The Networks of Decision-Making and Policy Implementation of the EU and External Relations of the EU. The Programme also has a recognised status as an EU teaching unit at the University of Helsinki.

From the beginning of 2001 the name of the Programme has been changed to the CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN STUDIES (CESUH) in order to emphasise its new interdisciplinary character. A new interdisciplinary study unit - a minor subject consisting of 35 study weeks in EU studies - was launched in the autumn term of 2001. The courses are organised by six different departments, but the study unit is administrated by CESUH. Research activities in the four above mentioned fields will be developed in an interdisciplinary direction.

CESUH is located in the Economicum building (Arkadiankatu 7, third floor) and is administratively a part of the Department of Political Science (Unioninkatu 37, first floor). CESUH is led by an Executive Director, research and teaching activities are coordinated by a Director of Research and a Programme Assistant is responsible for everyday administration. The number of researchers connected with CESUH varies in accordance with the extent of research activities.

The University of Helsinki is responsible for the administrative expenses of CESUH as well as for part of the research and teaching activities. External sources, such as The Academy of Finland, various ministries, the Finnish Parliament and some international sources have contributed significantly to financing the research activities. CESUH arranges a Jean Monnet course in European political integration, financed in part by the European Commission.

Availability of the Activities

The teaching activities are directed to the students of the University of Helsinki. The Minor Subject in EU-studies (35 study weeks) is the core of these activities. CESUH also arranges seminars that are open to the public. High-level Finnish and foreign experts on European integration are invited to lecture at these seminars which take place once a month. Various seminars and study groups are organised for graduate and post-graduate students.