User:BoppyBippy/sandbox

The Centre Maurits Coppieters (CMC) is a European political foundation based in Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 2007, it promotes policy research at a European and international level, mostly focusing on nationalism, management of cultural and linguistic diversity in complex societies, multilevel governance, decentralization, state and constitutional reform, self-determination and secession of states, and political and economical governance of sub-central governments.

It is recognized by the European Parliament as a Political foundation at European level, and it is affiliated with the European Free Alliance (EFA). Based in Brussels (Belgium), it develops its activities with the financial support of the European Parliament and the CMC members. The CMC also serves as a framework for national or regional think tanks, political foundations and academics promoting the study of national movements and minorities in Europe.

Structure
The CMC currently has eight full members and five associated members from seven different European countries. These members make up the General Assembly, and gather on a yearly basis to discuss CMC’s main strategic working lines. The members are as follows:

Full members:
 * Alkartasuna Fundazioa
 * Arritti
 * Fundación Galiza Sempre
 * Fundació Josep Irla
 * Fundació Emili Darder
 * Fundación Aragonesista 29 de junio
 * Home of Macedonian Culture
 * Welsh Nationalism Foundation

Associated members:
 * CIEMEN
 * Free State of Rijeka Association
 * Istituto Camillo Bellieni
 * Kurdish Institute of Brussels
 * Transylvanian Monitor

Publications
One of CMC’s main activities is to publish reports and papers on issues related to culture, politics and European institutions with a focus on regional and minority movements. These reports are aimed at policy makers at a European level but also intended for the general public. They are usually authored by independent researchers. Apart from the reports, CMC also publishes shorter policy papers and organises conferences on topics such as language diversity, the concept of cultural footprint, and the internal enlargement of the European Union.

Maurits Coppieters
The CMC takes its name from Maurits Coppieters, a prominent Flemish politician who was a Member of the European Parliament for the Volksunie (VU) and played a pioneering role in the formation of the EFA. During his political career Coppieters advocated for the right to self-determination in the EU. The Centre Maurits Coppieters was set up to honour the work of Coppieters, deceased in 2005, and follow his example.