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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180326
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180328
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T001318Z
UID:5610-1522105200-1522191599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ESTONIA - TALLINN TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY - Michael HINDLEY
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe Tallinn Technology University planned an open high-profile lecture for university students and scholars\, general public\, local NGOs and possibly media. \nMichael HINDLEY\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nMission report: COLD TALLINN \nA cold Tallinn offered a warm welcome from my hosts when I visited Estonia’s lovely capital in March. Through the good offices of FMA\, I was invited by the Tallinn University of Technology (TTU) to talk about EU foreign relations but also to discuss\, with students and faculty\, Brexit. My interlocutors clearly follow the debate on Brexit in the UK with attention; an attention tinged with concern about future relations between Estonia and UK under the auspices of EU Higher Educational Cooperation. Although the UK government has indicated a willingness to contribute financially to such programmes as a way of ensuring participation\, the negative is that as in other spheres\, UK will be “taking and not making rules”. The UK has been a major influence on the shaping of ERASMUS and research cooperation and its knowledge and experience would be missed. Students worry that study in UK could become more difficult and staff are concerned that recruitment from UK as well as their chances of posts in the UK could become problematic. \nI also gave a lecture on China’s ambitious “Belt and Road” programme to Masters students of International Relations. \nOstensibly\, this is a giant infrastructure plan\, initially based on the revival the old Silk Road\, from China\, through Central Asia and on into the Middle East and Europe. As such it conjures up romantic nostalgia for bygone days of explorers and traders\, East to West\, and West to East. However\, it is also much to do with Sino/Russian rivalry for national energy resources in Central Asia. Additionally\, China is worried that though the Coastal strip of China is booming\, there is little evidence of a “trickle down” effect to the distant inland provinces. Lastly and not least\, China now has massive over-capacity in steel\, coal and cement; just the basic materials for a vast transport infrastructure programme envisaged in “Belt and Road.” \nMy hosts kindly arranged to visit some of Tallinn’s much lauded e-centres\, TTU own innovation \nEstonia has invested much energy\, resources in new technology and the results are truly impressive. I well remember taking a portable typewriter for my Strasbourg and Brussels offices in 1984\, only for the typewriters to become quickly redundant. Now you can get an entire communications system on your smart phone. When I expressed my own scepticism about cyber-security I was met with optimism. Estonia has suffered and still fears cyber-attack from Russia\, but the participants in the e-centres enthusiastically pointed out that research and development into cyber-security was in itself a motor for economic activity. \nMembership of the EU has been taken up with gusto in this small Baltic nation. It was refreshing to see such optimism in Estonia.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/estonia-tallinn-technology-university-27-march-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/taltech.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180324
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180329
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T093535Z
UID:5614-1521932400-1522277999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSORS AND RESEARCHERS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION - Birgit DAIBER
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe Ukrainian Association of Professors and Researchers of European Integration together with the National University of Kiev Taraz Schevchenko organised a conference entitled “European Integration Processes in the 21st Century: Key Trends\, Main Challenges and New Perspectives”. \n Birgit DAIBER\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nMission report: TARAS SHEVHENKO NATIONAL ACADEMY \nThe Kiev based Taras-SevchenkoUniversity in co-operation with Erasmus and their common Jean Monnet-Project organised a two days’ International conference on “European Integration Processes in 21st Century – Key Trends\, main Challenges and new Perspectives” on 26/27 March. Speakers from universities of United Kingdom\, Portugal\, Canada\, Poland and Italy have been invited. I have been invited on behalf of FMA. About 70 students\, mainly involved in European Studies\, took part in the first afternoon debate on March 26th. I was asked to give an introduction into history and relevance to the current situation of European integration. My first challenge was to find some examples avoiding the danger to be too shallow. I choose the following two: “EU’s international trade policy” was the first\, followed by “the rule of European law and common values in democracy”. Since the students have been very aware of EU’s problems with Ukraine’s direct neighbour Poland\, they asked many questions on the rule of European law\, decision making processes and European understanding of democracy. I explained that one of the basic experiences in European Policy is to accept the necessity to compromise (even in one’s own political family). Here the students ask the grave question\, hanging like a black cloud above all debates in Ukraine: How to find solutions for the war in East-Ukraine and for Crimea. \nI couldn’t give an answer to this 1-Million-Euro question\, but at least there has been no negative reaction when I mentioned that in the end there would be the need to find compromises. Another issue raised by the students was nationalism. Since EU-law rules above national law\, the students felt inclined to ask if there is not the danger that citizens may loose their national identity? This led to discuss the principle of subsidiarity and the chance to develop a genuine European identity – not dominating national identity but changing it and adding a new dimension of common values and goals. The difference between national identity and aggressive or even violent nationalism was underlined. All in all the more than three hours discussion showed the deep desire of the students to become part of the European Union. At the international conference on 27th participated a lower number of Ukrainian students and more CEOs from EU related organisations and professors from universities. \nThe conference concentrated on different fields of European Politics\, especially Environmental Policy\, Law-making processes and questioning the Competence of Europe in actual conflicts. A specific part of the session was dedicated to the presentation of results of an inquiry in UK on letters in shaping the mass media before the referendum on Brexit. The inquiry shows 97% yes to Brexit in populist media while only 46% could be found in more neutral papers. Unfortunately this inquiry was carried only after the referendum. Two young researchers from the Ukrainian “Content Analysis Centre” gave a lecture on “the role of EU in the events highlighted by the major Ukrainian press”. My role in this part of the conference was to talk about the heavy storms which are threatening the Union since the outbreak of the Financial crisis in 2008. I referred to the refugee crisis\, the deep internal conflicts with some member-countries not willing to accept European rule of law and the upcoming international trade conflicts proving so far the rather robust survival capacity of the Union. My closing remarks emphasized some aspects of new ideas actually developed by the EU-Commission and also by the French President Emanuel Macron.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”9528″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ukraine-ukrainian-association-of-professors-and-researchers-of-european-integration-25-28-march-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/aprei.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180321
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180324
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T002115Z
UID:5618-1521673200-1521845999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:CROATIA - UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB - Ignasi GUARDANS
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe University of Zagreb organized guest lectures for students that are attending the course in Law of International Trade as well as guest lectures for the Bachelor Degree in Business Programme students that are attending the course in Commercial Law. Beside the lectures\, the University organised an interview for the student’s newspaper and a meeting with faculty management. \nIgnasi GUARDANS\, FMA Member\, participated in the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/croatia-university-of-zagreb-22-23-march-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/uni_profile_93789zagg.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180303
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T092941Z
UID:5622-1519858800-1520031599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:CYPRUS - UNIVERSITY OF LANCASHIRE - Barbara WEILER
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe University of Lancashire organized a series of activities with students and a workshop\, with the judiciary and academics. \nBarbara WEILER\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nMission report: LECTURE AT UCLAN UNIVERSITY \nUclan – the University of Central Lancashire in Larnaca – provides a unique and innovative model of university education which is both Cypriot and British at the same time. There are close links with Europe through Jean Monnet modules and the Erasmus+ programme. Not surprisingly\, many students and teachers are of international origin. It is quite possible that an island on the extreme geographical periphery of Europe may be the ideal place to conduct such an experiment\, and I consider it a great success. There was an open atmosphere\, with a willingness to engage in debate\, and a high standard of innovative new approaches. Impressive! \nOn the first day\, the main event was debates with students on the campus. Various lectures were given in the course of the day\, all of them very well attended. The main subject was European social and employment policy\, including Juncker’s European Pillar of Social Rights initiative; Parliament’s working methods and the possible consequences of Brexit were also mentioned. The students were committed and well prepared. \nOn the second day in Nicosia\, a round table with national and international judges was the main event. It was opened by the President of Cyprus’s Supreme Court. The European Court of Justice was represented by judge Anna Marcoulli. Here too\, similar subjects were discussed: how can socioeconomic rights be promoted and protected in the current financial crisis? In the ensuing debate\, the students called for the European Courts (in Luxembourg and Strasbourg) to protect citizens against the pressures imposed by the ‘trio’ and for a different political course. It was a lively debate\, in which conflicting opinions were expressed. \nIn addition to the official subjects on the programme\, a topic repeatedly raised was relations between the EU and Turkey (and more specifically the naval blockade prompted by the gas dispute\, which was taking place at that very time). \nI took the opportunity to go for a short walk in the Turkish part of Nicosia. I had already once visited the city some 30 years ago\, when the UN was everywhere and it was virtually impossible to visit the north. Since then\, much has changed\, but it seemed to me that distrust and prejudice persist. This makes it all the more important for the EU to support projects such as Erasmus+.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”9872″][vc_column_text] \nUCLAN students \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/cyprus-university-of-lancashire-1-2-march-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/uclqn.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180303
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T092752Z
UID:5722-1519858800-1520031599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Liceo Artistico Alberti - Gisela KALLENBACH
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nIn 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nGisela Kallenbach\, FMA Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SOMETIMES THINGS JUST DON’T WORK OUT AS PLANNED\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001891″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]It was an exciting prospect: I was going to take part in the teaching project run by the EU Historical Archives in Florence. My contribution would be to participate in not one but two panel discussions with students and school pupils focusing on my practical experience of life as a Member of the European Parliament and on specially chosen topical issues\, such as Brexit\, migration\, the re-emergence of nationalist movement in (almost) all parts of Europe and the future of European integration. And all that on the eve of the Italian elections. I was determined to do my best to make it clear that\, against the background of the ever more pressing challenges of a globalised world\, there is no alternative to a strong\, united Europe which acts as a force for peace. Unfortunately\, Mother Nature had other ideas. During the night of 1 March a thick blanket of snow fell on Florence\, bringing public life to a halt. All schools and universities were closed\, and only a very few buses and trains were running. Both my panel discussions fell victim to the weather as well. \nHappily\, though\, I was still able to visit the Historical Archives and see at first hand just how committed the staff there are to their work. I must admit that previously I had not given that work much thought. It was all the more impressive\, therefore\, to be able to browse through old documents\, to come ‘face to face’ with people who were present when European history was made and to read their accounts of those events. Some of what they wrote about has been forgotten; much of it\, today\, is taken for granted. Keeping documents and assessing them in the light of their historical significance is a vital task of immeasurable value both for us and for future generations. Those documents bear witness to motivations\, emotions and hopes; they embody memories of people who argued and suffered to shape a Europe with a future based on peace and mutual respect. I would urge researchers\, journalists and historians to visit. My stay in Florence also offered me an ideal opportunity to share my memories and experiences of life as an MEP\, as my contribution to the ‘Oral History’ project. \nWorking under the auspices of the European University Institute (EUI) and in cooperation with the Historical Archives and the De Gasperi Research Centre\, a small group of former EP officials\, coordinated by Alfredo De Feo\, wants to put together a collection of representative first-hand accounts which show how the history of the European Parliament can be portrayed in a more personal\, more vivid and more comprehensive way. More than 100 former Members have already agreed to take part. If at all possible\, the results are to be published in book form before the European elections in 2019\, exactly 40 years after the first direct elections to the European Parliament. I hope that the remaining hurdles can be overcome and that many former Members will share their memories\, in the service of the project. \nI am sure that the detailed appraisal of the successes achieved\, and the shortcomings brought to light\, which this project may trigger can make a significant contribution to the work of the EP. Strengthening the EP and making it more democratic is a long-held wish of the European family of peoples. Even though in Florence I was denied the opportunity to hold a free and frank discussion with young people about the present and future of our shared European project\, I can say this: we have every reason to work together to continue what our forefathers started more than 70 years ago\, in keeping with the saying that only those who understand their past can face the present and the future with open hearts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/liceo-artistico-alberti-1-2-march-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180218
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180220
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200702T155843Z
UID:5718-1518994800-1519081199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Dino Compagni - Monica BALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9544″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]In 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nMonica Baldi\, FMA Board Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/dino-compagni-19-february-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180213
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T222616Z
UID:5714-1518390000-1518476399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Liceo Artistico Alberti - Graham WATSON
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nIn 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nGraham Watson\, FMA Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”PROGRAMME IN FLORENCE\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000ead” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]It was on a cold February morning that I made my way from the charming Florentine hotel into which the Historical Archives of the EU (HAEU) had booked me to the magnificent Villa Salviati\, built on the remains of the 14th century Montegonzi Castle\, famous for its cultivation of grape and jasmine. It passed through the hands of wealthy Italians\, Brits\, Swedes and Americans before being abandoned in the last century and bought in 2000 by the Italian government for the European University Institute. Today\, restored to its former glory at the foot of a Cypress-lined path\, it contains over 7km of shelving under an ornate English garden and alongside a vividly decorated grotto for the EU’s archives\, including those of Spinelli\, de Gasperi and Spaak. \nHere I was to address school students from the Liceo Artistico Alberti about my life as a MEP and to assist them in their project on the challenges facing Europe. Director Dieter Schlenker also kindly invited me to talk to a dozen researchers currently attached to the HAEU about the papers I have deposited there from my twenty years in Parliament\, covering particularly my time as LIBE Committee Chair (1999-2001) and Liberal Group Leader (2002-2009). And the impressively well organised archivist Mary Carr was very helpful in assisting me with research I am conducting into the life of Sir Russell Johnston\, MEP from 1973-1979 and subsequently President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The HAEU regularly invites schools in Florence to make use of its facilities and organises programmes in European awareness for their senior pupils. I am but one of the former MEPs fortunate enough to have participated and am pleased to commend the experience to others.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/liceo-artistico-alberti-12-february-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180203
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T092454Z
UID:5710-1517526000-1517612399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Giobetti-Volta Bagno a Ripoli - Niccolò RINALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nIn 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nNiccolò Rinaldi\, FMA Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/giobetti-volta-bagno-a-ripoli-2-february-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180122
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180226
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200326T144300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T004514Z
UID:9875-1516662000-1519599599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:United Kingdom - De Montfort University - Doris PACK
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]De Montfort University organised seminars and courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students followed by open debates. On Europe Day there was a meeting with local schoolchildren. Mr John Bowis\, Mr Ben Patterson and Mrs Doris Pack\, former Members of the European Parliament\, participated in this programme. \nDoris PACK\, FMA Member\, participated in the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/royaume-uni-universite-de-de-montfort-23-25-janvier-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/de-monfort1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180122
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180226
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T003631Z
UID:5630-1516662000-1519599599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED KINGDOM - UNIVERSITY OF MONTFORT - Ben PATTERSON
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]De Montfort University organized seminars and classes for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Followed by open debates. The day of Europe involved a meeting with local school children. Mr John Bowis\, Mr Ben Patterson and Ms Doris Pack\, former MEPs\, participated in this programme. \nBen PATTERSON\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nReport mission: EP TO CAMPUS VISIT TO DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY \nWithin ten minutes of my arrival at de Montfort\, the clock went back over fifty years: I found myself sitting in the front row at a lecture on the mathematics of fiscal stabilisers. Was I −oh\, Lord! – having to prepare for an economics exam again? And then I was up myself to answer questions on the subject. \nContacts between students studying a topic academically and those who have had to apply what they have learnt in the practical world are useful to both sides. The problems of the Euro Area in combing a centralised monetary policy with devolved fiscal policies were clearly relevant to the fiscal policy class; and also to the next one on monetary policy. Attending academic lectures can also remind ex-MEPs of fundamentals which may have been forgotten over the years. \nI had\, as requested by the Former Members Association office in Brussels\, prepared a written paper on the history and problems of the Euro. But it was not needed. Unsurprisingly\, the focus of all the discussions\, and in particular the general question-and-answer sessions\, was Brexit. What was going to happen if and when the UK left the EU? Doris Pack and I struggled to find satisfactory answers. Almost all the students and staff appeared to be Remainers\, and it was difficult to deny that no arrangement outside the EU could possibly be as good as not leaving in the first place. \nBut then there was a bewildering array of options\, ranging from EEA membership plus Customs Union (probably\, in due course\, leading to an EU return)\, to a cliff-edge crashout next year. It was necessary to explain that nearly everyone else\, and almost certainly the UK government\, were as much in the dark as we were. \nThe university had issued us with an envelope-full of vouchers for use in the various canteens on campus\, which I mostly spent on coffee. But we were also entertained to two excellent dinners in town\, after the first of which we went to the site of Richard III’s burial and saw something of the old\, now partly pedestrianised city. The de Montfort campus itself extends over quite a large area; and if there is one complaint we had it is that the local taxis seemed at a loss when trying to drop us off at the right building. \nMy visit ended\, as it had begun\, with attendance at two classes on special policy fields\, both under the supervision of Professor Alasdair Blair\, the university’s Jean Monnet Professor of International Relations\, and overall organiser of the event. The first was on the CAP\, a subject that has been endlessly debated and reformed over the years. I was able to recall the days of butter mountains and wine lakes\, and even\, before that\, of the UK’s expensive deficiency payments system. Now we have the Basic (formerly Single) Payment Scheme\, based on how much land you own. What\, we wondered\, was coming next? \nFinally\, after a short session on the British political situation – a subject for three days’ discussion in itself – I headed off back down the M1 to London.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/united-kingdom-university-of-montfort-23-25-january-2018/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/de-monfort1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180121
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180123
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T225410Z
UID:5706-1516575600-1516661999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Liceo Castelnuovo - Riccardo VENTRE
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \n \nIn 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nRiccardo Ventre\, FMA Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”TOGETHER IN FLORENCE” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230028ba” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text] \n\n\n\n\nThe experience that our organisation enabled me to enjoy in Florence was to my mind remarkable both because it was so well managed and because the audience succeeded so excellently in participating\, putting forward proposals\, and summoning up enthusiasm for the matters at issue. If meetings of this kind and this calibre had been held ever since we rst came together\, then even those who now call themselves Eurosceptics would probably have become staunch Europhiles. \nThe topics covered – freedom of thought\, freedom of speech\, non-discrimination\, making no prejudicial distinctions on grounds of race or gender\, and other core concerns not just for a further experiment in coexistence\, but also to countries encompassing a variety of institutional systems\, languages\, customs\, mores\, and religions – inspired the young participants not only to engage in discussion and respond with a modern vision\, which I would describe as contemporary with the current historic moment\, but also to make innovative\, original proposals. I am sad that\, because of its broad intrinsic scope and the shortness of the time available\, I could not address the – before the Treaty of Lisbon – much-debated question whether the text of the preamble to the Treaty should cite the Judaeo-Christian and Periclean democratic roots of European civilisation. \nWhat that would have involved\, I believe\, and might\, I hope\, involve in the future should the subject be taken up again is not merely setting down a historical reference\, but exploring the genesis of profound changes shaped in the course of a development process and of the bene ts which these have brought to the whole of humankind and Europe in particular. Comparison of the discussion topics with the rst part of our Constitution proved interesting. The young people were able to grasp the underlying similarities\, in terms of principles\, between the essence of our Constitution and those of more modern constitutions and the Treaty of Lisbon. These are the subjects to which we shall probably have to draw the attention of all Europeans\, the young and the not so young\, in order to ensure that economic matters – the size of pizzas\, say\, or the quantity of sugar added to wine – are\, whatever their importance\, relegated to second place behind what should be the de ning elements on which to build – or rather rebuild – a society. The Florence-based European University Institute and the Former Members are working free of charge with public and private education institutions in all parts of Europe to foster discussion of the above topics in schools and the foremost cultural associations\, enlisting aid offered at no cost by serving MEPs and university teachers from countries possibly lying outside the range of rst-hand experience. At a conference to be held at the end of each year\, course participants will come together to discuss the elds that they have covered and select young people who\, having been trained\, will be ready to join the ranks of the trainers. \n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/liceo-castelnuovo-22-january-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180120
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T230450Z
UID:5700-1516316400-1516402799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Ist. Sup. Cecchi – Fucecchio - Vitaliano GEMELLI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nIn 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nVitaliano Gemelli\, FMA Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ist-sup-cecchi-fucecchio-19-january-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180117
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20180101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T230425Z
UID:5698-1516057200-1516143599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Ist. Sup. Giotto-Ulivi BS Lorenzo - Luciana CASTELLINA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nIn 2018\, the Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on three main themes: Brexit\, Migrations and Rising of nationalist movements across Europe. The meetings were attended by our members Monica Baldi\, Luciana Castellina\, Vitaliano Gemelli\, Gisela Kallenbach\, Niccolò Rinaldi\, Riccardo Ventre\, and Sir Graham Watson. \nLuciana Castellina\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”BUILDING THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230014ad” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]I had a wonderful time working with a hundred or so secondary school pupils from Florence at the European University Institute in Fiesole. The boys and girls seemed very interested in what we were doing\, to the point of even being too keen to please. By ‘too keen’ that I mean that\, despite the dramatic decline in the popularity of the institutions\, there was a remarkable lack of critical remarks about the EU. Most of the pupils displayed intelligence and skill in amending the proposals discussed in their working groups. Maybe they felt pressured by the very formal setting\, but I just wondered if they were holding back\, keeping their deeply held reservations to themselves. \nI should make it clear that overall the initiative was very beneficial and that the pupils who organised it did a great job. What I took from it\, however\, and this is something I think we should all bear in mind\, is that rather than focusing solely on what the institutions do\, these meetings should also be about debating and analysing the issues facing European society. I still believe that the main weakness of the European project is that after 50 years there are still no intermediate bodies working at European level to bridge the gap between the people and the institutions – bodies of this kind are the backbone of democracy. Take trade unions\, political parties and media outlets\, for example. They may be European in theory\, but in reality they remain resolutely national. I think we need to draw on the knowledge of how each Member State is organised\, how each society expresses itself culturally and politically\, as the basis for building the European community that has yet to take shape. This is why it is taking so long for solidarity to replace rivalry as the founding principle of the EU.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ist-sup-giotto-ulivi-bs-lorenzo-16-january-2018/
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171202
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171211
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20171201T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T005751Z
UID:5634-1512255600-1512946799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:CZECH REPUBLIC - MENDEL UNIVERSITY - Mariela BAEVA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Mendel University in Brno organized conferences and seminars for students specializing in European Studies\, activities of the Think Tank – “Mendel European Center” and round tables for the public. \nA creative project was inspired by Ms. Baeva’s participation in a series of conferences and seminars organised by the University of Brno: a group of students from Syria\, Ghana\, Croatia\, Ukraine\, Czech Republic came together to create a song titled Race to Freedom\, dedicated to 18 December\, International Migrants Day and 20 June\, World Refugee Day.  You can listen to the song here. \nMariela BAEVA \, FMA Member\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/czech-republic-mendel-university-3-10-decembre-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mendel_university_logo-eng_cmyk_0.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171201
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200221T155549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T072559Z
UID:4783-1511996400-1512082799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Annual Seminar 2017 "EU global strategy on security and defence"
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row el_class=”management-committee”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”EU GLOBAL STRATEGY ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The 2017 Annual Seminar took place on 30 November 2017 at the European Parliament in Brussels.[/vc_column_text][vc_images_carousel images=”10106\,10110\,10112\,10116\,10118″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” custom_links=”#E-8_aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZmxpY2tyLmNvbSUyRnBob3RvcyUyRjE1MTg2MjA1MCU0ME4wNyUyRmFsYnVtcyUyRjcyMTU3Njg5MDkwMzY1MDcx”][vc_custom_heading text=”KEYNOTE SPEAKERS” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F02%2Fprofile_of_speakers.pdf||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxiAV2l5KCw”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\n Welcome and introduction to the seminar\, by Mr Enrique BARÓN CRESPO\, President of the European Parliament Former Members Association and Former EP President.\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY9_CpE8eLU&t=16s”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nSpeech by Sir Julian KING \, EU Commissioner for the Security Union\, followed by Q&A Session.\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY9_CpE8eLU&t=16s”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nSpeech by Mr. Michael GAHLER MEP\, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and President of the Kangaroo Group\, followed by Q&A Session.\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHthihCU7qY&t=118s”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nSpeech by Mr. Ivailo Kalfin\, Member of the High Level Group on Own Resources\, EP Rapporteur on critical information infrastructure protection – achievements and next steps: towards global cyber-security\, followed by Q&A Session.\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/annual-seminar-2017/
CATEGORIES:Annual Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20171130_EP-059162A_DHM_004-002-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171203
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20171101T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T011125Z
UID:9900-1511910000-1512255599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:FRANCE - UNIVERSITY OF CLERMONT AUVERGNE - Zofja MACEJ KUKOVIC
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of Clermont Auvergne organized a conference on “Sustainable Cities and Industries (Michelin Network)”. Mrs. Ilona Graenitz and Mrs. Zofija Macej Kukovic\, former MEP’s\, delivered a keynote on sustainable development\, sustainable cities\, urbanization and demography\, to Mayors of European cities\, European researches\, civil society and large institutions. \nZofja MACEJ KUKOVIC\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nMission report: DO WE CARE ABOUT FUTURE GENERATIONS? \nIt was with great pleasure that I took part in the University of Clermont-Ferrand Jean Monnet Programme and in the International Symposium ‘Michelin Network of sustainable cities’. There we looked at what steps would be needed to achieve a sustainable city\, and a sustainable EU. Former MEP Ilona Graenitz from the European Parliament Former Members Association (FMA) also took part. \nMore than three years ago I wrote in my book ‘Start up Europe’: ‘Sustainable economic growth\, where we use fewer resources and produce more products\, is more realistically achievable in times of crisis than in times of plenty. History has taught us that times of plenty in themselves limit creativity. \nThe most important areas that will require major changes are mobility\, food\, health and housing.’ \nThese points were still pertinent in the discussions that took place at the two events at Clermont-Ferrand\, which focused on mobility and sustainable use of world resources. The conference with PhD students examined the issue of sustainability in cities. Given that there is no clear answer to the problem of population growth in cities\, with some experts predicting that by 2040 some 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities\, my talk focused on the need for further research into how to motivate people and create the conditions necessary for people to choose to stay in rural areas. A connection to the land and an intimate relationship with nature foster within us a sense of inner happiness. \nResearchers and professors presented challenges for sustainable cities on issues ranging from culture and the environment to energy and impact on our economy and society. In two roundtables\, we discussed European legislation pertaining to these matters and future trends. The students asked about this unique ‘sense of belonging to the EU’. For them\, as students from all over the world\, that was the most impressive fact about the EU. Their criticisms concerned issues such as Brexit and the migration crisis. \nAt the conference organised by the Michelin Network\, I gave a presentation on mobility. \n‘As a former health minister and a former member of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment\, Public Health and Food Safety\, my activities have focused on the health of people and of our planet. \nThe European Parliament’s work has also focused on the legislation needed as a basis for mobility\, which is a key aspect for sustainable cities. Digital Europe\, the internal digital market and big data also present new technological opportunities to connect people whose needs are met by advances in mobility. \nWe should be thinking not only about people’s needs\, but also about people’s feelings. All of us would like to feel safe\, while still having privacy. Mobility could improve people’s safety\, especially in cases of accidents\, natural catastrophes or health emergencies. Mobility and accessibility are important for sustainability and for business development.’ World-renowned photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand used photography and film to present the world’s nature and people to the participants. His new film ‘WOMAN’ shows the misery of women in poverty and calls for political action. \nCécile Coulon\, a young and very successful writer\, also presented her latest award-winning book ‘Trois saisons d’orage’. She spent her childhood in a village and today writes and encourages young people to live more in harmony with nature. As a participant in the FMA Campus programme\, I must say that the organisation by the University of Clermont-Ferrand and Professor Arnaud Diemer was excellent. It was also clear that the students were really engaged and keen to participate in our discussion. I would therefore like to thank all participants.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/france-university-of-clermont-auvergne-29-november-2-december-2017-2/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/clermont-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171203
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20171101T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T010138Z
UID:5638-1511910000-1512255599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:FRANCE - UNIVERSITY OF CLERMONT AUVERGNE - Ilona GRAENITZ
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of Clermont Auvergne organized a conference on “Sustainable Cities and Industries (Michelin Network)”. Mrs. Ilona Graenitz and Mrs. Zofija Macej Kukovic\, former MEP’s\, delivered a keynote on sustainable development\, sustainable cities\, urbanization and demography\, to Mayors of European cities\, European researches\, civil society and large institutions. \nIlona GRAENITZ \, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nMission report: EUROPE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT \nThe Programme encompassed two components: \n1) Lectures and discussions at the University \n2) Participation in the first meeting of the international network of Michelin cities. \nThis was a clever combination of academic work and a big public event and the organiser Arnaund Diemer did a great work. \n• The participants at the lectures at Clermont University were mostly students (often on Erasmus or other EU programmes and from various European countries) involved in projects or writing their thesis\, thus providing an opportunity to present some of their work and discuss it with peers. \nThe fact that all presentations and discussions at the university were in English added to the international atmosphere of the seminar. \nThe issue of circular economy and which methods and tools could be used to develop a fair and encompassing system\, providing for a growing world population without abusing resources and generating waste and pollution\, was in the centre of the presentations. In particular interesting was the concept of ‘Circles of Sustainability’ presented by Professor Paul James from Sydney University. In this framework the sustainable development of cities is assessed in four domains: ecology\, economics\, politics and culture ; each domain being sub-dived into 7 fields\, such as materials & energy\, water & air; production & resourcing\, labour& welfare; organisation & governance\, communication & movement; engagement & identity\, gender & generations. Assessment is made on a nine-step scale starting with critical sustainability to vibrant sustainability. Part of the seminar was dedicated to the future development of cities\, showing scenarios of towers with vertical gardens and forest-like buildings\, giving as well a chance to discuss the philosophical background of sustainble development of cities. My colleague Zofija Mazek Kukovič and I took part in the discussions and there were two special sessions dedicated to EU issues. \nOne was a presentation of ourselves and our work in the E.P. and one was an interview conducted by a retired scientist. \nWe were able to talk about programmes\, budgets and in particular about legislation and how we see the future development. \nAs the participants came from different countries (Spain\, Belgium\, Ukraine) there was particular interest in questions of autonomy of regions and participation of regions in policies of the EU\, and questions of accession and geopolitics; of course Brexit was an important issue. \nI believe\, that still after so many years it is important and necessary to explain the development and functioning of European legislation even to participants with very high levels of education. \n• As part of the seminar was the first day of the 1st meeting of the international network of Michelin Cities ‘Sustainable City’\, all participants and speakers were invited to the Polydome congress centre. Zofija Mazej Kukovič and I were taking part in the programme as experts. This gave the chance to speak about supportive European legislation and projects/programmes for sustainable cities and underline the importance of working together in Europe. \nIt has to be noted that there were representatives from all around the world\, though I would suggest that the EP and the Former Members Association keep in touch as to encourage further co-operation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/france-university-of-clermont-auvergne-29-november-2-december-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/clermont-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171130
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200227T152954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200415T125414Z
UID:5025-1511910000-1511996399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2017 Annual Dinner
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe 2017 FMA Annual Dinner was held on 29 November. The guest speaker was Mr. Mirek Topolánek\,Former President of the Council of the EU (2009) and former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (2006-2009). His speech was entitled “The former Communist states of Eastern Europe are they meeting the challenges of our continent”. \n[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”5026\,5028\,5030\,5032\,5034\,5036\,5038″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/2017-annual-dinner/
CATEGORIES:Dinner Debate
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2017-annual-dinner-pic1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171112
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171117
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200326T154251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200326T154251Z
UID:6733-1510527600-1510873199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ALLEMAGNE - Université de Göttingen - 13 - 16 NOVEMBRE 2017
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of Göttingen organized a conference on “Law-making in the EU and the consequences of the Brexit on the EU and GB”. Mr. Michael Hindley\, former MEP’s\, delivered a keynote on the challenges to and of the EU and the EU as an International actor and the changing role of the EU post-Brexit\, to Eurocultures students\, international students of the University\, scholars and staff members. \n> Michael HINDLEY \, FMA Member[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/allemagne-universite-de-gottingen-13-16-novembre-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Uni_Aula_Aussen_2_Frank_Stefan_Kimmel.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171112
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171117
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20171101T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T012110Z
UID:5642-1510527600-1510873199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:GERMANY - UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN - Michael HINDLEY
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of Göttingen organized a conference on “Law-making in the EU and the consequences of the Brexit on the EU and GB”. Mr. Michael Hindley\, former MEP’s\, delivered a keynote on the challenges to and of the EU and the EU as an International actor and the changing role of the EU post-Brexit\, to Eurocultures students\, international students of the University\, scholars and staff members. \nMichael HINDLEY \, FMA Member\, participated in these events. \nMission report: CAN THE EU SURVIVRE BREXIT? \nI was extremely pleased to receive a second invitation to the Euroculture Centre at the University of Göttingen which I first visited in November 2016. I suggested an update on my last year’s title ‘Can the EU survive Brexit?’ Not simply an example of English ‘tongue-in-cheek’ humour\, but a warning that Brexit is not only an existential question for the UK\, but also one for the EU. \nCertainly the mood among the Masters Students in the three seminars I participated in was puzzlement and sadness about the UK leaving. There was some anxiety among a couple of UK students about their future status and questions from other EU students about their potential status post Brexit. \nMy last year’s visit coincided with the news that Donald Trump had won the Presidential race in the USA. That news was met by the same sadness and puzzlement as the Brexit decision. \nThis year’s visit came in the wake of the German general election which saw a sharp decline in the popularity of the two major parties (CDU/ CSU and SPD) and the rise of the anti-EU nationalists\, AfD. The fate \nA group of students from the Georg-August-University of Chancellor Angela Merkel\, widely seen as a stabilising force in the EU\, has become an anxious question. We are entering an increasingly uncertain period. The eastern EU states are increasingly sceptical\, even hostile to EU policy made in Brussels; witness the widening resentment against EU asylum policy. ‘Europe’ is increasingly seen as the problem for nation states\, not the solution to national problems – a point the ‘More Europe’ advocates from Brussels fail to grasp. \nThe gap in perceptions of ‘Europe’ looms large. In my experience of young people\, like the students I met in Göttingen and others I have met at home and on FMA guest lectureships don’t share this pessimism. So many of them have benefited from European wide programmes\, they travel with ease and confidence. They are prepared to rise to the challenge of competition and opportunity offered by the EU. \nHowever\, doubts remain and indeed grow as to whether the EU is there for the benefit of all and not just for the quick\, mobile\, talented elite. Serious work ahead for the EU which demands less self-congratulatory propaganda and more applied reasoned persuasion. \n \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/germany-university-of-gottingen-13-16-november-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/goettingon-logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171108
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20170226T104742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200519T130409Z
UID:5878-1509922800-1510095599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2017 FMA Visit to Estonia
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row el_class=”download-box-list”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”7658″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Files” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text] \n\n Dossier\nList of Participants\nFull report\nPhotos\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The visit took place on 6 and 7 November 2017. You can read here below a report from Michael McGowan that was published on the December 2017 FMA Bulletin.  \nReport \nBesides Estonia’s defence priorities\, the country’s leading defence MP Marianne Mikko is determined to promote its cultural heritage and digital expertis . \nEstonia is the most northerly if the three Baltic states\, the country shares a border with Russia\, and it has linguistic ties with Finland. And since independence in 1991 membership of the EU has been one of the main objectives of Estonian foreign policy. \nThe country has a history of being occupied so many times during its history including by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in recent times and is extremely sensitive to being a small and fairly remote country on the edge of the EU. \nAnd sharing a border with Russia and the annexation of The Crimea by Russia has not lessoned the country’s anxiety. \nThe country was ruled at various times during the middle ages by Denmark\, the German knights of the Livonian Order\, and Sweden\, and ended up as part of the Russian Empire in the 18the century. \nIt experienced its first period of independence in 1918\, following the end of the First World War and the collapse of the Russian empire. \nIn 1920 a peace treaty was signed with Russia\, in 1939 the Soviet Union compelled Estonia to accept Soviet military bases\, and in 1940 Soviet troops marched in 1940 into Estonia which was incorporated into the Soviet Union. \nGerman troops invaded Estonia in 1941 and the country was annexed again in 1944 by the Soviet Union when tens of thousands of Estonians were deported to Siberia and Central China. \n\n\n\n\nMichael McGowan\, PES\, United Kingdom (1984 – 1999) \n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5879″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5881″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Since the collapse of the Soviet Union\, the country has become one of the most economically successful of the EU’s newer eastern member states. \nThe recent former EU Moscow envoy Vygaudas Usackas has said that he does not think Russia under Putin will change its attitude to the Baltic states but that he “believes in dialogue and it is important not to label Russia and its people as a terrorist state”. \nThe leading Estonian defence MP\, Marianne Mikko\, also shares the view that despite the potential threat to her country from Russia under Putin\, dialogue is important however sensitive or difficult. \nMarianne Mikko is a member of the Estonia Parliament\, she heads the Estonian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe\, and is a former Socialist MEP. \nAs an experienced journalist\, a member of the Women for Defence group in Estonia\, and having served as an MEP on the Culture and Media committee of the parliament\, she is extremely important in Estonian and European defence politics. \nMarianne Mikko said it is important for Europe to take its own defence and security needs seriously and for both NATO and non NATO countries within the EU to work together for their common defence. \nA fascinating aspect of Estonia’s history and culture especially music is its tradition of choral singing with the amazing success of the “Singing Revolution” in helping to achieve independence from the mighty Soviet Union by the use of its voice and choral singing . \nThe country has long experience of mobilising the creative talents and collective voices of its people and perhaps more than any other country in the world the history of Estonia is a story set to a song. \nAnd besides its concentration on defence and security Estonia is a world leader in digital technology and this small Baltic county of 1.3 million people it is determined to enhance further the profile of its digital voice during its current EU presidency. \nMichael McGowan\, PES\, United Kingdom (1984 – 1999) \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/2017-fma-visit-to-estonia/
CATEGORIES:Visit to National Parliaments
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171021
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171024
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200211T184549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200616T200924Z
UID:4388-1508626800-1508799599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Interview of Hans-Gert Pöttering
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The current President of the FMA and Former President of the European Parliament\, Hans-Gert Pöttering was interviewed on 12 December 2017. \n  \nhttps://youtu.be/hN-nsa48RxY[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/interview-of-hans-gert-pottering/
CATEGORIES:School of Transnational Governance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171018
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171022
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20171001T065141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200616T200754Z
UID:5646-1508367600-1508626799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UKRAINE - UNIVERSITY OF UKRAINE - Per GAHRTON
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe University of Ukraine organized a conference on “’Conflict  Transformation and Peacebuilding in Ukraine”. Mr. Per Gahrton; former MEP\, delivered a keynote on “foreign and security conflict transformation and peacebuilding”\, to University students\, experts\, academics and civil servants. \nPer GAHRTON\, FMA Member\, participated in this event. \nMission report: CAN UKRAINE LEARN ABOUT CONFLICT RESOLUTION? \nOn 20 and 21 October I spoke at the Ukrainian European Studies Association in Kharkiv on the EU’s tools for conflict resolution. Kharkiv was proposed as the capital of the separatists’ ‘New Russia’\, but although Russian is the language spoken by residents of Kharkiv in their day-to-day lives\, they did not approve of the secession. \nIn Kiev\, too\, Russian is the language you are most likely to hear on the streets. The students at Vernadsky University breathe a sigh of relief when their lecturers allow them to switch from Ukrainian to Russian. History professor Mikhail Stanchev is one person who has continued to lecture in Russian\, in spite of the new language law\, which stipulates that all teaching should be done in Ukrainian (on 12 October 2017\, the Council of Europe criticised the new law as ‘an infringement of the rights of national minorities’). Professor Stanchev gave me a copy of his Russian-language book\, World War Three – the Battle for Ukraine\, in which he accuses Putin of being a carbon copy of Hitler. In a private conversation with me\, Professor Stanchev acknowledged that Ukraine did bear some responsibility for the conflict\, owing to its failure to establish democracy at local level. He also agreed that it is a problem that the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine forced Ukraine to leave the former Soviet republics’ free trade area. \nReports from Kiev suggest that the Baltic and Scandinavian countries are the hawks when it comes to the Ukraine/Russia situation\, whereas a number of countries in southern Europe are calling the sanctions into question. They are supported in their view by the UN rapporteur Idriss Jazairy\, who has pointed out that the sanctions are costing EU countries USD 3.2 billion per month\, and are having more of an impact on innocent Russian citizens than they are on the country’s leaders. \nThe audience at the conference listened with interest as I spoke about the EU’s peacemaking tools\, from association agreements to sanctions. And they nodded in recognition when I spoke about Nordic conflicts and the peaceful ways in which they had been resolved\, such as in 1658 when Sweden took over Skåneland\, which Denmark had held for 300 years. Some 150 years later\, in 1809\, Sweden accepted the loss of Finland to Russia\, following the Swedish poet Esais Tegnér’s exhortation for ‘Finland to be won back from within Sweden’s borders’. Norway’s secession from the union in 1905 was also agreed to by Sweden\, and Finland was allowed to retain Åland on the basis of an international decision taken in the 1920s\, despite the population’s wish to stay with Sweden. In the 1990s\, Boris Yeltsin offered Finland the chance to buy Karelia back\, but President Koivisto declined. I pointed out that that list of instances of Nordic countries accepting the loss of parts of their territories could be used to illustrate the EU principle that\, rather than be altered\, borders should be made unimportant. At that point someone asked\, rather indignantly: ‘Are you advising us to give up Crimea and the Donbass\, then?’ I said I was not. Of course regions have a democratic right to go their own way: look at Scotland\, Quebec and Catalonia\, for example. But the democratic rules have to be followed. That has not been the case in Crimea and the Donbass. \nAnd Ukraine is not without blame: the language law shows a level of insensitivity that could make Russian-speaking Ukrainians doubt their Ukrainian identity. If Finland – where around five percent of the population are Swedish speakers – can have Swedish as an official language alongside Finnish\, why can’t Ukraine give Russian official status alongside Ukrainian? \nAt a demonstration in front of the parliament building in Kiev I was given a little booklet of poetry entitled ‘Our fears went up in smoke on the Maidan’\, apparently written in Russian by a Moscow-born poet. The first poem\, ‘Ode to Ukraine’ is the only one written in Ukrainian. \nIt features the refrain: ‘We shed our blood for our freedom\, and it showed that we are of Cossack nationality’. That booklet is the Ukrainian identity dilemma in a nutshell.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/ukraine-university-of-ukraine-19-21-october-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171001
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171003
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20171001T065141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T090049Z
UID:5650-1506898800-1506985199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED STATES - NEW YORK UNIVERSITY - Enrique BARÓN CRESPO
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe New York University organized a conference on “The European Union: Cradle of Civilization or Super-Regulatory State?” for students and professors. It has been held by the Former President of the European Parliament\, Enrique Barón Crespo. \nEnrique BARÓN CRESPO \, Former FMA President\, participated in this event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/united-states-new-york-university-2-october-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170923
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170929
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200227T101241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200508T121637Z
UID:4737-1506207600-1506639599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Study Visit 2017 to Washington
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row el_class=”download-box-list”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7707″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Files” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23003db7″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal” custom_letter_spacing=”-1.8px”][vc_column_text el_class=”download-box-list”] \n\nDossier\nList of Participants\nProfile of Speakers\nFinal report\nPictures\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You can read here the full report of the Study Visit to U.S.A.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Study Visit\, held once a year\, is a combination of political dialogue and cultural meetings. This year the visit took place in Washington from September 24th to 28th. \nThe Former Members of Congress Association invited the FMA delegation to its Annual Meeting on September 26 and 27 and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington organised a series of meetings and events the rest of the week. \nThe programme included meetings on key issues such as Climate Change\, Transatlantic Relations\, Security and the latest state of play of the US political scene. The Georgetown University hosted a Roundtable Event entitled “Back to the EU Future: Discussion with Former EU Lawmakers” with professors and students introduced by a keynote by Mr. Enrique Barón Crespo\, FMA President and Former Member President of the European Parliament (1989-1992). The FMA delegation\, composed by 19 people engaged in a fruitful exchange and dialogue by sharing their knowledge and experience. \nA full report on the visit was published in the December Bulletin .[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/study-visit-2017-to-washington/
CATEGORIES:Study Visit
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170713
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170715
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20170701T065141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200608T091029Z
UID:5654-1499986800-1500073199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - UNIVERSITY OF LUISS SUMMER SCHOOL - Enrique BARÓN CRESPO
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe 2017 edition of the Summer School was devoted to Parliaments\, democratic accountability and budgetary powers. The first week (10th-14th July) focused on national budgets and parliaments in relation to the EU and the new economic governance and the second week (17th-21st July) on the EU budget and the role of the European Parliament. \nAt the end of the first week of the course\, on Friday 14 July\, h. 15.00-16.30\, the University organized a Roundtable on What has been implemented of the Five Presidents’ Report of 2015: the democratic commitments. \nEnrique BARÓN CRESPO \, Former FMA President\, participated in this event. \nMission report: ROUND TABLE AT LUISS UNIVERSITY \nIn the framework of the programme\, EP to Campus\, the School of Government of the LUISS Guido Carli University of Rome organised\, in co-operation with Sciences Po\, a Closing Round Table on ‘Parliaments\, Democratic accountability and Budgetary Powers’ discussing thePresidents’ Report on ‘Completing Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union in 2025’. The speakers were Roberto Gualtieri\, current Chairman of the Economic and Monetary Committee of the European Parlement\, Marcelo Messori\, LUISS Director of the School and Enrique Barón Crespo\, President of the EP Former Members Association. Roberto Gualtieri MEP made an in depth analysis of the ongoing work of the EP Committee as well as of the implementation and follow-up of the main targets of the Report. Marcelo Messori concentrated his remarks on the governance dimension and the economic recovery in Europe. Enrique Barón Crespo focused his speech on the main challenges for completing a genuine Economic and Monetary Union as a process of building Europe with stronger democratic participation and accountability at both national and European levels. The main challenges are: integrating the Eurogroup in the EU institutional framework with parliamentary accountability; the transformation of the current ESM in a European Monetary Fund with the creation of a European Treasury\, and the implementation of risk sharing through systems like Eurobonds that would reinforce the Euro in a decisive way. \n  \nThis process involves both the EP and national parliaments. Enrique Barón Crespo recalled and highlighted how the creation of the Monetary Union had received a definitive boost from the first Conference of the Parliaments of the EC that took place in the Camera dei Deputati in November 1990 in Rome. The result paved the way for preparation of the European Monitory Union (EMU) in the Maastricht Treaty with President Guido Carli as representative of the Italian Government. Now he felt was the moment to renew this task\, giving a key role to both the European and national parliaments. The other major step in democratic accountability\, not elaborated in the report\, would be the implementation of the principle of “no taxation without political representation” at European level in a clear and transparent way to the EU citizens. Enrique Barón Crespo believes that there are matters directly related to the EU single market and the environment that would easily help the citizenship to establish a direct link with the EU. This happens already with the Euro and it would help reinforce the democratic legitimacy of the whole European project. \n \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-university-of-luiss-summer-school-14-july-2017/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20170530T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20170530T163000
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20201123T123042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201123T123743Z
UID:12949-1496154600-1496161800@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Looking ahead: From the Rome Declaration to the European Elections 2019
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On 30 May 2017 the FMA organised with the EPRS a seminar entitled “Looking ahead: From the Rome Declaration to the European Elections 2019″. \nThe Speakers were: \n\nEtienne Bassot\, Director of the Members’ Research Service\nJoséphine Vanden Broucke\, Head of the European Council Oversight Unit\nEva Poptcheva\, Analyst at Citizens’ Policies Unit\nJesus Carmona\, Head of the Citizens’ Policies Unit\n\n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”12950″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/looking-ahead-from-the-rome-declaration-to-the-european-elections-2019/
CATEGORIES:Policy event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170529
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170531
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200227T152954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200227T163412Z
UID:4878-1496098800-1496185199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2017 Dinner Debate
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 2017 Dinner Debate took place on Tuesday 30 May in the European Parliament\, Brussels. Mr. H.E Ambassador Reinhard Silberberg\,  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the European Union\, was our Guest of Honour.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”4879\,4881\,4883\,4885\,4948\,4946\,4944″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/2017-dinner-debate/
CATEGORIES:Dinner Debate
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170529
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170531
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20170530T165052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200528T152758Z
UID:5216-1496098800-1496185199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Memorial Service 2017
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe 2017 Memorial Service was held on Tuesday 30 May at 17:45 in the Space Yehudi Menuhin\, European Parliament\, Brussels. \n[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/XRTkSvw_3ls”][vc_column_text]Vice-President Bogusław Liberadzki\, represented the EP President\, Antonio Tajani\, and José María Gil-Robles\, Former President of the European Parliament and the FMA\, clotured the ceremony. \nPlease find below the Brochure with the full list of deceased members  and obituaries written by their former colleagues.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/memorial-service-2017/
CATEGORIES:Memorial Service
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170521
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170524
DTSTAMP:20260504T074303
CREATED:20200608T112851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200616T195852Z
UID:10000-1495407600-1495580399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:PORTUGAL - UNIVERSITY OF AVEIRO - Gyula HEGYI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nGyula HEGYI\, FMA Member\, was invited to participate in a conference organized by the University of Aveiro. \nMission report: PROGRAMME \nAveiro is an ancient Portuguese city south of Porto. The University of Aveiro has been founded in 1973\, and nowadays more than 13000 students and hundreds of professors study and teach there. My host\, Professor Luis Mota keeps a semina on international studies in English. On the first day of my visit I was invited to participate an afternoon session of his seminar. Instead of the originally planned one hour it took two and half hours\, as the students raised dozens of questions. All of them spoke good English\, and one of them was an Erasmus student\, coming from Lithuania. \nThey were rather well informed on the structure and problems of the European Union. We spoke among other subjects on the different role of the Parliament\, the Council and the Commission\, on the Brexit\, on the importance of the Erasmus program and on the concept of the ‘multispeed EU’. They raised some ‘uncomfortable’ questions on the political situation of my homeland\nHungary as well\, but I tried to answer them. I talked about the many possibilities to get a scholarship at the Parliament\, at the Commission (where I also worked) and at the European HQs of the political parties. The next day I visited the ‘Europe Direct’ information centre\, where I met some students who just dropped in\, as the information centre has an active contact with the University. The relatively small but well equipped centre provides many facilities for those who are interested in EU affairs. And it seemed to me that there are many people in Aveiro who are really interested in… \nIn the afternoon I participated in the event which was the main program of my visit. The social and political department held a conference on ‘The reflection paper on the social dimension of Europe’\, and generally on the social policy of the EU. The ‘Reflection Paper’ of the Commisson was released on 26th of April\, so it was one of the first occasions to discuss it on a public event. My fellow panellists were Ms Sofia Colares Alves\, Head of the EU representation in Portugal and Ms. Mafalda Guerreiro\, Member of the Central Committee of the Portuguese Communist Party. It seemed to be a well chosen trio. Ms Alves performed the official Commission line\, with informative details. The Communist Ms Guerreiro strongly criticised the ‘Big Businessoriented’ EU policies\, as her party is rather Euro sceptic. (Unlike the very pro-Europe Hungarian Left.) I tried to underline that one of the three options suggested by the Commission is rather a progressive idea. While the other two options\,  limiting the social dimension to free movement or let the Member States to choose certain elements of their social policies ‘a la carte’ are rather dangerous ideas. The lack of a strong common social policy destroys the public support of our common European project\, and strengthens the extreme and populist movements. The audience was very active\, and besides our different backgrounds the three of us agreed to improve the social commitments of the EU. \nI must mention the important role of Gil Martins dos Reis organizing my and the forthcoming visits of other colleagues to Aveiro. As a student of the University and a trainee of the EP Former Members Association\, Gil contacted his ‘Alma mater’ and our Association. As the University of Aveiro runs good and important courses on European studies\, we should help them with our experiences.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:http://www.formermembers.eu/event/portugal-university-of-aveiro-gyula-hegyi/
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
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