In recent years, the “European model” is one of the topics that widespread discussed in the international academic circles. In political or economical domain, does the “European model” really exist? If does, what is its characteristics? What is the foundation? What is it likely to be in the future? What roles will it display in promoting the world peace and development? These questions are not only challenging, but also with significance in academic research nowadays. Therefore, the Institute of European Studies from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences conducted the international conference from June 12 to 14, 2007 in Beijing focusing on the “European Model”, to which experts from domestic universities and European institutes discussed together. As a sub-project funded by “EU-China: European Study Centers Programme”, this conference specially invited the project partners: Centre for European Social Sciences, University of Mannheim and Centre of Transdisciplinary studies-CNRS/EHESS. This conference obtained its prospective target, namely offered an introduction to the EU’s role as an international actor and put special emphasis on issues of European model.

The Opening address was given by Vice-President of CASS, Professor Chen Jiagui. Mr. Volker Stanzel, Ambassador of Germany in China, also addressed at the opening ceremony as representative of European Union. Researchers from IES of CASS, Institute of the West Asian and African Studies of CASS, Institute of ethnology and anthropology of CASS, Bureau of Scientific Research in CASS, International Cooperation Bureau in CASS, Institute of Political Studies of CASS, Institute of European Studies in Shanghai and Shan Dong, Yun Nan University, Tianjin Normal University, Tongji University, Fudan University, China Institute of International Studies, China Foreign Affairs University, Renmin University of China, Central Compilation & Translation Bureau, China Foreign Affairs University, and Development Research of State Council P. R. China, European Institute of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, China Institute of International Studies, CCTV, along with foreign partners from University of Florence, University of Maastricht, Institute of European Studies of Macau, and University of Oslo attend the conference.