BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Connexion - login - ECPv6.15.8//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Connexion - login
X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://www.formermembers.eu
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Connexion - login
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Brussels
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20160327T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20161030T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20170326T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20171029T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20180325T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20181028T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171108
DTSTAMP:20260508T043739
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2017-estonia-pic1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171112
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171117
DTSTAMP:20260508T043739
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:20171112
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171117
DTSTAMP:20260508T043739
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:20171128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171130
DTSTAMP:20260508T043739
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:20171128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171203
DTSTAMP:20260508T043739
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:20260508T043739
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:20171129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20171201
DTSTAMP:20260508T043739
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
END:VCALENDAR