Penza State University completed the first stage of the international projects Protection of Human Rights within and across the European Union (ProEU) and Social Security Law in the European Union (EUSOSEL) supported under the Erasmus+ Programme (Jean Monnet Module).

At the Centre for Teaching and Learning Erasmus+, the project teams represented by Gleb Sintsov, Evgenii Bitiutskii and Danil Feoktistov (ProEU project) and Anna Aleksandrova and Anastasiia Ryzhova (EUSOSEL project) designed the teaching and learning materials and developed the academic modules for the students of the Institute of Law (PSU).

The lectures and seminars within the ProEU project focused on giving students an appreciation of the international and European mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and broadening their understanding of the role of law enforcement and advocacy in monitoring human rights. In addition, Gleb Sintsov, Doctor in Legal Sciences, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Professor of the Department of Private and Public Law, familiarised students with the referendum as a tool of direct democracy and instrument of change in the federal states. During the module, Danil Feoktistov, PhD in Legal Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Private and Public Law, introduced students to the Ombudspersons as a means to protect human rights and combat poor governance, thus promoting their recognition of the principles of good governance.

Under the EUSOSEL project, Anna Aleksandrova, PhD in Legal Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Legal Disciplines, and Anastasiia Ryzhova, PhD in Legal Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Legal Disciplines, familiarised students with the aims and objectives of the EU in the social sphere, explained the concept and essence of the Social Constitution of the EU and the European Pillar of Social Rights and enhanced their skills to classify and analyse the sources of EU social security law. Through this teaching and learning activity, students had the increased capacity to identify models and ways of social protection in the EU member states.

On successful completion of the academic modules “Protection of Human Rights within and across the European Union” and “Social Security Law in the European Union”, the students received the two-language certificates. In addition, the transcripts of records indicating the academic performance (with grades and scores) were presented to all students, who took the modules.

Further, the EUSOSEL project plans to launch the professional training course “European Union practices of fighting poverty and social exclusion” in October 2022. It will be intended for the practicing lawyers, economists, social workers and law teachers, as well as the representatives of local and regional authorities solving the issue of social security. It will familiarise the trainees with the best European practices of fighting poverty and social exclusion. The leaflet with the content of the the professional training course is published on the project website.