MERCURY is a consortium of academic partners formed to examine critically the European Union's contribution to multilateralism. It explores multilateralism as a concept, an aspiration, and a form of international order. On this website, you will find more detailed descriptions of the project partners and the project structure as well as first project results such as three MERCURY E-papers (see Publications), an online glossary on multilateralism (see Glossary) and the database DATEX on EU legal instruments in external policy fields (see DATEX database).

The most important aspect of CERI’s involvement in the project is the research work on EU-Far East Asia relations in cooperation with the Italian Institute of International Affairs. More specifically, CERI undertook two case studies: China and the WTO (a study carried on in collaboration with Fudan University, Shanghai); and the pertinence of the concept of”inter-regionalism” in the analysis of Europe-Asia relations. David Camroux is the project’s scientific coordinator for CERI.

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The ACCEPT PLURALISM Project addresses the need to explore and understand tolerance of ethnic, racial and religious diversity in European societies. Project coordinators are based at the European University Institute in Florence. The French Research Team, Riva Kastoryano and Angéline Escafré-Dublet, are based at CERI Sciences Po.
Over three years (2010-2013), the project will analyse what kinds of tolerance exist in practice in each country as well as the various kinds of institutional arrangements that have been put forth by different actors when there is conflict. It seeks to identify the views and practices that are tolerated, accepted or respected.
The project brings together empirical and theoretical findings. It is based on the conduct of original empirical work in 2 research and policy areas (school and politics). Each country team identifies in each of this research and policy areas key events that exemplify different understandings and practices of tolerance. From a theoretical point of view, the project explores the relationship between tolerance and the concepts such as multiculturalism, liberalism and pluralism.
Based on this analysis the project will produce key messages for European and national policy makers, civil society and minority groups.
Expected results:

• national case studies reports
• policy briefs
• a Tolerance Indicator
• a handbook
• the publication of a book and several journal articles

For more information: www.accept-pluralism.eu