The challenge of uniting 27 nations politically and socially into a cohesive European Union will be the subject of an interdisciplinary conference scheduled at the University at Buffalo.

Presenters at the event, titled "Realizing Europe: The Lisbon Treaty in Perspective," will address aspects of the 2009 treaty that significantly changed the governance of the EU, which comprises more than 500 million European citizens. Issues range from EU citizenship and immigration to education, science and technology, law, cultural policy and federalism.

The event is scheduled April 28-29 at the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy at UB Law School.  

UB's new Center for European Studies, located in the College of Arts and Sciences, will sponsor the conference as its first major presentation. Deborah Reed-Danahay, a professor in the anthropology department, directs the center and is principal organizer of the conference with UB Law associate professor Michael Halberstam and assistant professor of anthropology Vasiliki Neofotistos.

"We wanted to start a conversation both here at the university and with the wider Buffalo-Niagara community about issues related to the future of Europe and its political, legal, economic and social implications," Reed-Danahay said. "The EU is a project that is still in process and still being realized."

"Realizing Europe: The Lisbon Treaty in Perspective" will examine the evolving political organization of the EU and the "social project" by which citizens of its member nations are being encouraged to think of themselves as Europeans who share a common identity with others living there. Symbols such as the EU flag and anthem are meant to foster this sense of belonging. Reed-Danahay has done research in French primary schools on efforts to guide pupils to buy into the idea that they are Europeans, not just French citizens.

Other presenters include:

• Rodolphe Gasché, distinguished professor at UB and Eugenio Donato Chair of Comparative literature

• Daniel Halberstam, Eric Stein Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School

• Alexander Somek, Charles E. Floete Chair in Law at University of Iowa College of Law

• Hans de Wit, professor of internationalization at the School of Economics and Management of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences

• Catherine Neveu, director of research at the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris

• Aires Soares, Minister-Counselor and Head of Science, Technology and Education for the European Union Delegation in Washington, D.C.

• Anne-Marie Thiesse, director of research at the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris.

For more information, visit www.law.buffalo.edu/baldycenter/

William Keefer, partner in Phillips Lytle LLP, will serve on the faculty at a Lorman Education Services seminar scheduled  April 29.

The seminar, titled "Understanding the Impact of Health Care Reform on Employers," will be held at Hotel Indigo Buffalo-Amherst. Keefer will present an overview of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

He coordinates Phillips Lytle's health law practice team. He also counsels hospitals, physician groups and other health-care clients on issues including fraud and abuse, corporate compliance, transactional arrangements, payer audits, agency actions and federal and state court litigation.

Keefer is treasurer of the board of directors for Rotary Club of Buffalo and a board member of SABAH Inc. He also is attorney coach for Canisius High School's Mock Trial Team.

Lorman Education Services provide continuing-education seminars nationwide for various industries.

Terrie Benson Murray, partner in Cohen & Lombardo, will be a presenter at a seminar sponsored by the New York State Bar Association titled "Basic Elder Law Practice." It's scheduled May 4 at the Holiday Inn Amherst, 1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.

The program is designed for attorneys who want to learn more about elder law practice or those looking for a refresher course on the basic knowledge needed to advise the elderly in New York. It will be facilitated by experienced elder law attorneys who will discuss such topics as Medicaid, Medicare, financial and medical directives and guardianship law.

Benson Murray, who concentrates in estates and trusts, wills and estate planning at Cohen & Lombardo, will discuss Medicaid home care programs and services. She will cover eligibility guidelines for income and resource limitations, as well as personal care aide programs and Home Care Programs that are available and paid for by Medicaid.

She also will discuss the types of care that are provided by different programs, the leveling of funding by Medicaid, eligibility for certain programs with respect to income and resources of the applicant and how to apply for Medicaid payments.