The COVID pandemic has shown the urgency of addressing cross-border health threats through supranational mechanisms. the EU, despite having limited competences in the health sector, has proven to be the most prepared and effective actor in responding to the pandemic, and through the crisis it has seized the opportunity to affirm and expand its role as a regional and global actor in international fight against health emergencies. The objective of this training module is to improve knowledge and stimulate research on a topic of crucial economic relevance.

The module will be structured in three parts. Initially, a historical introduction regarding the management of cross-border threats to public health on the European continent, dating back to the times of the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918. This will then be followed by the main measures adopted by the European Community and subsequently by the EU to address international health crises.

The second part will look at the response to the Covid pandemic to illustrate how current EU regulation has been used and innovated during the crisis. Finally, the current and future, regional and global role in this area will be explored. This will show students how the EU’s internal and external action can be effectively shaped, as Jean Monnet and Progress in Crises famously envisaged.