Universität zu Köln

Peter Valant holds a master degree in law (Mag.iuris) from the Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Austria. He graduated in 2011 from the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium) where he obtained his second master´s degree (Master of Arts in European Political and Administrative Studies).

Since the very beginning of his studies Peter put strong emphasis on EU external relations, EU foreign and security policy as well as on the multilateral framework between the European Union and the United Nations. During his law studies he started his career first as student assistant and later as university assistant at the European Law Department of the Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Austria. After his professional experience at the Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Peter was active as private lecturer in the field of European Law as well as a Jury Member at the Balkan Case Challenge European Council Model (2008 and 2009) in Vienna. His research interests include EU human rights, LGBT rights, UN human security, EU crisis-management, EU-enlargement (especially the Western Balkans), European Neighbourhood Policy, EU development policy, EU-BRIC relations as well as the strategic setting-up of the European External Action Service towards "European Diplomacy". 

• Title of research project 'The European Union together with the United Nations and the Council of Europe for a more effective international human rights system'

• Supervisors

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Benedek (University of Graz, European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy)

Prof. Dr. Hubert Isak (University of Graz)

Prof. Dr. Jean-Paul Jacqué (College of Europe, Bruges) 

• Goal of research project 

My research project addresses the three international organisations’ human rights systems from a legal as well as political perspective. The academic analysis identifies first the institutional and organisational aspects, problems and challenges. It further tries to locate the three actors in the international setting and to propose more effective and coherent ‘effective multilateralism’ in the field of human rights. Case studies such as ‘EU-UN’ or ‘EU-CoE’ missions and partnerships play an essential role in my research project.

• Training

Various engagement in student exchange programs such as TEMPUS and Erasmus. Participation at various EU - as well as UN -conferences. 

EXACT Network Seminar on Academic Skills, University of Cologne, 15th - 28th September 2012. http://www.exact.uni-koeln.de/11515.html?&L=2%27%60%22%28&type=100

TEPSA Pre-Presidency Conference in Dublin, 22 and 23 November 2012 http://www.exact.uni-koeln.de/11549.html?&L=2%27%60%22%28&type=100

• Teaching

Lecture (16th October 2012) on the US Regulatory Framework, Food and Drug Administration, Culture in vivo ASBL, BE-1400 Nivelles.  

Course 'The European Union as a global actor' together with Leonhard den Hertog and Andreas Raspotnik, both Marie Curie Exact Fellows, Jean-Monnet Chair Prof. Wolfgang Wessles, University of Cologne.

• Publications/Conference contributions

Conference Paper with Beril Karaoglan: "EU and Turkey: Facing the Challenges of the Arab Spring" www.euromiddleeast.org

Background Paper for the 2012 Theseus Conference, The Franco-German couple: potentials and limitations, December 2012. http://www.tepsa.eu/download/Background%20Paper%20Franco-German%20Leadership.pdf 

Theseus Conference Report 2012 together with Simon Stroß, Marie Curie Exact Fellow, http://www.tepsa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2012-THESEUS-conference-report.pdf

• Ongoing

Article: The EU Special Representative for Human Rights - Manager or Master?