BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Connexion - login - ECPv6.15.8//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://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:20180325T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20181028T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20190331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20191027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20200329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20201025T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20210328T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20211031T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200120
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200123
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T184004Z
UID:5753-1579561200-1579733999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:EUI- HAEU- Andrea MANZELLA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Andrea MANZELLA\, FMA Member\, was invited to participate in a conference at the Historical Archives of the European Union with secondary schools in January. \nRead his article here. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/eui-haeu-21-22-january-2020/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200118
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200117T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T195549Z
UID:5402-1579215600-1579301999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY - secondary schools eui  - Niccólo RINALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Historical Archives have developed a programme for high schools focused on: The free movement of persons and the dynamics and memoire of mobility in the EU. Numerous meetings will be held in the prestigious Villa Salviati in Florence to discuss these highly topical issues. The meeting was attended by our member Niccólo RINALDI.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-secondary-schools-eui-17-january-2020/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200118
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200101T171539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200609T195455Z
UID:5751-1579215600-1579301999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:EUI- HAEU- Niccólo RINALDI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Les Archives historiques ont mis au point un programme destiné aux écoles secondaires : La libre circulation des personnes et une perspective dynamique et historique de la mobilité dans l’UE. De nombreuses réunions se tiendront dans la prestigieuse Villa Salviati à Florence pour discuter de ces questions d’une grande actualité. \nNiccólo RINALDI\, membre de l’association\, a participé à cette réunion.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/eui-haeu-17-january-2020/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:The Historical Archives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/eui.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191210
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191212
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200203T165317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T072023Z
UID:4035-1576018800-1576105199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Annual Seminar 2019 "The European Union and its Parliament in a global context"
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS PARLIAMENT IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The 2019 Annual Seminar took place on 11 December 2019 at the European Parliament in Brussels.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”9275″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/151862050@N07/albums/72157712256136377″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”KEYNOTE SPEAKERS” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fformermembers.eu%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FProfile-of-Speakers-EN-.pdf||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4oDKzDIDS0″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nWelcome and introduction to the seminar\, by Mr Hans-Gert PÖTTERING\, 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=1dgueNAmk1c”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nSpeech by Mr Elmar BROK Former EP Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee.\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=KJy0faWGjFU&t=15s”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nSpeech by Ms Heidi HAUTALA\, Vice-President of the European Parliament.\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=yOs8No6ZP5Y”][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKe1JEHeoRc”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nPanel Discussion with Mr Pat COX\, Former President of the European Parliament and the FMA\, and Mr John Erik FOSSUM\, Member of the Academic Committee of the House of European History.\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQqbG0cSHuQ”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text] \n\nQ&A session moderated by Hans-Gert PÖTTERING.\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/annual-seminar-2019/
LOCATION:Annual Meeting\, Bruxelles\, B-1047\, Belgium
CATEGORIES:Annual Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/49236697668_4680e10484_k.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191209
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191212
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20180211T190911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200402T135005Z
UID:5851-1575932400-1576105199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:History of the European Parliament: Research Projects\, sources and Historical Memory 1979-2019
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]To celebrate 40 Years of direct elections to the European Parliament\, the Former Members Association (FMA) has put in place a series of initiatives that will conclude with its Annual events on 10-11 December 2019 in Brussels. Over the past year\, two high-level conferences have been organised by the FMA with the European University Institute (EUI) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) the first one on 22-23 November 2018 in the Badia Fiesolana\, in Florence\, and the other on 3 April 2019 in the European Parliament\, in Brussels\, both with distinguished speakers and representatives of the FMA. \nOn 29 November\, the FMA were invited to attend a Conference on the History of the European Parliament: research projects\, sources and historical memory 1979-2019\, which I had the honour of opening\, together with Emanuelle Ortoli\, President of the Friends of Historical Archives of the EU\, and Dieter Schlenker\, Director of the Historical Archives of the EU. \nYou can watch the discussion on the FMA Facebook page[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5852″ img_size=”medium”][vc_column_text]The Conference took place at the House of the European History in Brussels. This event was intended to mark the 40th anniversary of the election of the European Parliament by universal suffrage and presented an inventory of the written and oral\, historical and commemorative sources relating to the history of the  European Parliament which has taken on a greater role\, both legislative and of budget\, with the powers constantly increased by its first mandate. \nThe participation of authoritative members of our association such as President Enrique Barón Crespo and Alain Lamassoure\, gave an important contribution to the celebrations of the fortieth anniversary with lively discussions. Among the various presentations\, the project Collecting Memories of MEPs (from 1979 to 2019) was presented. The HAEU\, launching this project\, with the support of the FMA had the merit to have given a structure and a unique place where researchers can find\, even in future\, the lively witnesses of MEPs who have participated and contributed to the life and evolution of the Institution.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5854″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5856″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The project was conducted by a number of researchers\, all Former officials of the Institution. The project\, in less than two years has already been a success: more of 100 interviews are deposited in the HAEU database and the project is still ongoing. The FMA was a crucial partner in this project inviting Former Members to be interviewed by the researchers. \nDuring the presentation of the Collecting Memories project\, numerous extracts of interviews were presented\, which give an excellent idea of what researchers will find\, a mix of politically and historically relevant elements framed by personal considerations.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5858″ img_size=”medium”][vc_column_text]Furthermore\, the researchers also published a book Shaping Parliamentary Democracy\, published by Palgrave\, the book\, divided in ten themes\, is not an academic book but a structured collection of stories. At the end of each chapter\, the reader can find the contribution made by MEPs to the chapter with the indication of the minutes of his/her interview\, something that is highly appreciated by the researchers. The book can be purchased on Amazon\, the Palgrave website. I hope that this fruitful collaboration can continue in the future with the same passion\, enthusiasm and professionalism of our estimated members. \nBy Monica Baldi\, published in the FMA March 2020 Bulletin[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/40-years-of-european-parliament-direct-elections/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Events on 40 years of European Parliament
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EKjFuOYWwAAbvdP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191209
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191211
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20180211T190911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200602T101208Z
UID:5861-1575932400-1576018799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:EU institutional dynamics: Ten years after the Lisbon Treaty
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the 10th of December\, the Former Members Association\, the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) and the Directorate-General for Communication co-organised a policy roundtable on “EU institutional dynamics: Ten years after the Lisbon Treaty”. \nYou can watch the discussion on the FMA Facebook page \n \nAt the first session\, European Parliament Vice-President Othmar Karas\, FMA and Former EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering\, Former EP and FMA President Enrique Barón Crespo\, the Secretary-General of the European University Institute (EUI) Vincenzo Grassi\, and Danuta Hübner\, MEP former Member of the Convention on Future of Europe\, participated to the discussion and shared their insight on the evolution of the European Parliament’s power and influence. Jacki Davis\, Senior Adviser of the European Policy Centre\, moderated the panel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”5864″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Enrique Barón Crespo recalled the significance of the Lisbon Treaty have not yet been used to their full potential\, such as the ‘passerelle’ clauses.\nThe second Panel focused on the European Council ten years after Lisbon – Institutional dynamics and impact to date. Herman Van Rompuy\, President of the European Council from 2009 to 2014 provided relevant first-hand testimony about his experience as President of the European Council in the eurozone crisis and beyond. Amongst other he said : “The end of the system of Spitzenkandidaten later has\, in my opinion\, more to do with party politics than with principles.” \n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\nDuring the Second Panel the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU\, Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen\, explained the role of The European Council today and in the future and notably mentioned the Bratislava Declaration\, the Leaders’ Agenda and the Strategic Agenda 2019-2024. Other panellist were: Desmond Dinan\, Professor of Public Policy\, George Mason University and Ana Gomes\, Former Member of the European Parliament\, who discussed about institutional dynamics and how to deliver with a focus on policies.\nAll participants agreed on the importance of the planned conference on the future of Europe\, while advocating that the focus should lie on concrete policy achievements\, rather than on treaty revision\, as the current institutional framework provides the necessary instruments to deliver on Europeans’ demands. \nClosing the discussion\, Former Member of the European Parliament\, Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl recalled the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty\, namely to strengthen the community method\, stressing that the last 10 years have witnessed a power shift towards the European Council. \nHere you can read the study prepared by the EPRS entitled “The European Council under the Lisbon Treaty. How has the institution evolved since 2009?”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/eu-institutional-dynamics-ten-years-after-the-lisbon-treaty/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Events on 40 years of European Parliament
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20191210_EP-097117B_PBU_203-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191209
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191211
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20180211T190911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201123T123504Z
UID:8747-1575932400-1576018799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:EU institutional dynamics: Ten years after the Lisbon Treaty
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the 10th of December\, the Former Members Association\, the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) and the Directorate-General for Communication co-organised a policy roundtable on “EU institutional dynamics: Ten years after the Lisbon Treaty”. \nYou can watch the discussion on the FMA Facebook page \n \nAt the first session\, European Parliament Vice-President Othmar Karas\, FMA and Former EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering\, Former EP and FMA President Enrique Barón Crespo\, the Secretary-General of the European University Institute (EUI) Vincenzo Grassi\, and Danuta Hübner\, MEP former Member of the Convention on Future of Europe\, participated to the discussion and shared their insight on the evolution of the European Parliament’s power and influence. Jacki Davis\, Senior Adviser of the European Policy Centre\, moderated the panel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”5864″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Enrique Barón Crespo recalled the significance of the Lisbon Treaty have not yet been used to their full potential\, such as the ‘passerelle’ clauses.\nThe second Panel focused on the European Council ten years after Lisbon – Institutional dynamics and impact to date. Herman Van Rompuy\, President of the European Council from 2009 to 2014 provided relevant first-hand testimony about his experience as President of the European Council in the eurozone crisis and beyond. Amongst other he said : “The end of the system of Spitzenkandidaten later has\, in my opinion\, more to do with party politics than with principles.” \n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\nDuring the Second Panel the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU\, Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen\, explained the role of The European Council today and in the future and notably mentioned the Bratislava Declaration\, the Leaders’ Agenda and the Strategic Agenda 2019-2024. Other panellist were: Desmond Dinan\, Professor of Public Policy\, George Mason University and Ana Gomes\, Former Member of the European Parliament\, who discussed about institutional dynamics and how to deliver with a focus on policies.\nAll participants agreed on the importance of the planned conference on the future of Europe\, while advocating that the focus should lie on concrete policy achievements\, rather than on treaty revision\, as the current institutional framework provides the necessary instruments to deliver on Europeans’ demands. \nClosing the discussion\, Former Member of the European Parliament\, Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl recalled the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty\, namely to strengthen the community method\, stressing that the last 10 years have witnessed a power shift towards the European Council. \nHere you can read the study prepared by the EPRS entitled “The European Council under the Lisbon Treaty. How has the institution evolved since 2009?”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/eu-institutional-dynamics-ten-years-after-the-lisbon-treaty-2/
LOCATION:Florence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20191210_EP-097117B_PBU_203-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191212
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20191209T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T155024Z
UID:4200-1575846000-1576105199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:FRANCE - UNIVERSITY OF LE MANS - Maria Gabriela ZOANA
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Université du Mans invited a former Member to participate in the talks and discussions on current issues in Europe including: environment\, digitalisation\, public policies\, migration\, taxation\, functioning of the EU institutions. \nThe talks were attended by our member Maria Gabriela ZOANA.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9015″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8897″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/france-university-of-le-mans-9-11-december-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/LeMANS1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191117
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191122
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20191109T075141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200917T141932Z
UID:5468-1574031600-1574377199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:GERMANY- UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN - Sean O NEACHTAIN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Georg-August Universität Göttingen invited a former Member to participate in the talks and discussions on: “The challenges to and of the European Union” & “The EU as an international actor and the changing role of the EU post-Brexit” \nThe talks were attended by our member Sean O Neachtain. You can find here below his article published in the March 2020 FMA Bulletin[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Visit to Georg-August University\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000da0″ 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 was delighted to represent the FMA at the Georg- August University in Gottingen recently to speak to the students who were participating in the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme “Euroculture-Society\, politics and culture in a global context“. The theme of the conference was “The role of the European Parliament & Challenges to and of the European Union: The EU as an international actor”\, “National Identity/Europeanness/Citizenship & BREXIT” and “EU Careers”. The University of Göttingen is an internationally renowned research university. Founded in 1737 it offers a comprehensive range of subjects across 13 faculties. With over 30\,000 students and offering up to 212 degree courses\, the University is one of the largest in Germany. Amongst its alumni are Gerhard Schroder former Chancellor of Germany and the new President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Lynn.\nThe Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme “Euroculture – Society\, politics and culture in a global context” partly financed by the European Commission is a transdisciplinary\, international and inter-university project. Ever since the establishment of the Programme in 1999\, Euroculture was used as a concept to reflect in an interdisciplinary way on the many different expressions and manifestations of self-understandings of societies\, social groups and individuals of\, about\, within and beyond Europe. \n \nMy attendance at the lectures was over two days and the students being international led to an interesting debate on the various topics that were discussed. The first session concerned the challenges facing the European Union. I covered the usual challenges like Migration\,\nAgeing Europe\, Climate Change and particularly the challenge for the European Institutions to connect with its citizens. As a former member of the Committee of the Regions I stressed the importance of the often quoted saying that all politics is local. The European Union\nneeds to get its message across to the ordinary citizens in a clear unambiguous manner.\nWe also discussed the challenge that Brexit has presented and the implications that the United Kingdom’s leaving the Union would have. As a former member of the European Parliament representing Ireland I reiterated that I regretted very much that the people of\nthe UK voted to leave the EU in the referendum of 2016. Again\, I expressed that like the other\nchallenges the member states working together would be stronger as a unit than any one country on its own.\nThe second day concentrated on my own experience as a member of the European Parliament. I was delighted that the students had researched my political background and one student from Wales referred to my involvement in making the Irish language a working language of the EU. I spoke of my belief that Europe is united by its diversity and\nmy native Irish language was of great importance and a source of pride to me during my time as an MEP.\nDuring this session a talk was given by Andreas Kumar\, EU Careers Ambassador at the University on careers in the European Institutions. This was a comprehensive account\nand the students took great interest in the information given. I would like to thank all the students who participated and the staff who organised the conference especially\nMarc Arwed Ruthe\, the coordinator of the Euroculture programme. My thanks also to Dr. Lars Klein\, senior lecturer and Professor Simon Fink\, Director of Studies.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“The visit of former MEP Seán Ó Neachtain to the Erasmus Mundus courses in the Georg-August Universität Göttingen was an edifying opportunity for the students to be presented with a realistic and empirical approach to the work and negotiations that happen in a variety of political levels in Europe\, emphasizing the EU Institutions’ level and namely the European Parliament. Throughout three extensive and comprehensive sessions\, the former MEP detailed his political actions and the political processes in the Committee of Regions and the European Parliament\, and his personal experience and path in the political career in the EU. Mr Neachtain also provided us with information and insights regarding political groups and their emergence\, changes over time in the EU political sphere\, and his work in the adoption of Irish as an official working language in the EU.”Anaiz Dessartre Mendonça – Student at the University of Göttingen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/germany-university-of-gottingen-18-21-november-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/goettingon-logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191109
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191111
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200227T152954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T154636Z
UID:5000-1573340400-1573426799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2019 Annual Dinner
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe 2019 Annual Dinner was held on Tuesday 10th November 2019 at the Member’s Restaurant of the European Parliament in Brussels. Mr. Klaus- Hener LEHNE\, President of European Couurt od Auditors\, was the Guest Speaker at the dinner. You can find more pictures on the FMA Flickr account. \n[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”5003\,5005\,5007\,5009\,5011″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” custom_links=”#E-8_aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZmxpY2tyLmNvbSUyRnBob3RvcyUyRjE1MTg2MjA1MCU0ME4wNyUyRmFsYnVtcyUyRjcyMTU3NzEyMTcwMDE3MjMx”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/2019-annual-dinner/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Dinner Debate
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019-annual-dinner-pic2-scaled-e1592495088980.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191102
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191106
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200226T104742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T154313Z
UID:4480-1572735600-1572994799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2019 FMA Visit to Finland
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row el_class=”download-box-list”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”4481″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Ressources” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” 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] \n\nFinal programme\nList of Participants\nDossier\nFull report\nPictures\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The FMA Study Visit to Finland took place from 3 to 5 November 2019. A delegation of 23 former MEPs from eight EU countries and different European political families headed to Helsinki. The FMA Board Member\, Lord Richard Balfe\, was the leader of the Delegation. The FMA in co-operation with the Finish Parliament and the European Parliament Liaison Office set up a very stimulating programme. Former MEPs were able to participate in high-level informative meetings with experts\, parliament’s representatives and with the Minister of European Affairs as well as to visit the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.\nThe whole FMA delegation had a vibrant discussion about the Future of Europe with university students. Finnish newspapers gave great visibility to the FMA Visit.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4491″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \n“It was the first time I participated in the activities of our Association. The dynamism of the leader of the Delegation\, the friendship of the members associated with Elisabetta’s talent made this trip a beautiful memory!\nThe visit to the centre about hybrid threats\, to which I added the visit of the beautiful and new multimedia library of the capital\, brought a real added value to our trip as well as the visit of the Museum Amos Rex with its original content and interior architecture!\nIt is through the links between people that Europe will consolidate its fundamentals and in these times of doubt and scepticism our journey will undoubtedly have in its own way contributed to cementing these relations”. \nNathalie Griesbeck – FMA Member \n\n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4493″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \n“I took part in the FMA visit for the first time. I just retired from the EP.\nIt was nice to meet former colleagues\, to discuss EU issues and get up-to-date information.\nEverything was well organised. I am sure I will be an active member of the FMA.” \nAnneli Jäätteenmäki – FMA member \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4495″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \n” Among the really important medium term or long term issues\, that are not only domestics\, are issues such as climate change\, immigration\, European Defence and the deteriorating European Economic outlook.”  \nJaakko Iloniemi – Former Finish Ambassador \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4497″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]More pictures of the visit here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/2019-fma-visit-to-finland/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Visit to National Parliaments
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/finland_pic2-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191016
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191019
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20191007T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T154214Z
UID:5473-1571266800-1571439599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UKRAINE - UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN STUDIES - Michael DETJEN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The XIII Congress of the Ukrainian Association of European Studies in Odessa developed a programme for academics\, experts\, civil servants\, researchers and students interested in EU-Ukraine relations and EU affairs in general focused on: New Strategies For The Cooperation between Ukraine and The European Union in The Times Of Global Crisis. \nThe Congress was attended by our member Michael Detjen. Here below you can read his report that was published on the March 2020 FMA Bulletin[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”UNITY IN DIVERSITY:\nReport on the 13th Annual Congress of the Ukrainian European Studies Association” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230003b5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]On 17 October 2019\, on behalf of the Odessa Regional Institute of Public Administration of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine\, Dr Mykola Izha welcomed the participants at this year’s congress\, the theme of which was ‘New Strategies for the Cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union in the Times of Global Crisis’. Sechy Orlov\, representative of Ukraine’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Odessa\, subsequently gave an account of the current situation in Ukraine\, saying that the war in Ukraine was extremely dangerous for Europe and that it was incomprehensible that the daily fatalities because of the clashes in East Ukraine went virtually unnoticed in Europe. The congress was wide-ranging\, with themes including democratic constitutions\, human rights and enforcement thereof\, war and international law and environmental protection. Speakers went into the fact that both the constitutional and other material differences in the EU and the resulting demands made on Ukraine were complex and had to be taken into account in any process of establishing closer ties. Other important themes were: the major efforts being made to achieve decentralisation and make improvements as regards the separation of powers\, so as to drive forward necessary changes\, and action to draw together Ukrainian interests under an umbrella organisation in Brussels. Igor Todorov commented that\, from a Ukrainian perspective\, it made sense and was necessary to expand free trade and open it up further. \nWhy does Europe need Ukraine\, and why does Ukraine need Europe? A suitable answer can probably only be given to that fascinating question by considering the dwindling role of nation-states in conjunction with global developments concerning both environmental pollution and interlinked global workflows. Only a Europe that is united and diverse will have a voice on the world stage that is heeded. \n \nThe link between education and democratic development was a further theme at the 13th Annual Congress of the Ukrainian European Studies Association. With regard to the development of democracy in Ukraine\, Roman Petrov pointed out in his paper that\, for example\, moving between education management and government was thought to be difficult and that that concerned all administrative personnel. There was also a thorough discussion of raising awareness of democratic structures and the issue of corruption. Petrov came to the conclusion that difficulties with combating corruption and the separation of powers had not been adequately resolved to date\, from a Ukrainian perspective\, despite the positive influence of ongoing decentralisation. Stefan Lorenzmeier gave an account of what defined free and fair elections\, from a German perspective\, and highlighted the problematic issue of\, inter alia\, the propagandist power of various interest groups that stemmed from the control they exercised over their own media outlets\, for instance. I myself commented on current developments in Ukraine. This focused not only on developments to date and EU expectations regarding democratic\, transparent and corruption-free governance\, but also on an appraisal of the situation of the EU in the light of Brexit and the appointment of the new Commission. \nValentyna Kryvtsova chaired a critical discussion on ‘legal resilience in a modern world’ between Igor Todorov and Oksana Holocko-Havrysheva. The issue of sustainable\, flexible and consistent law-making was central to democracy\, in particular in connection with present-day political challenges. The institutional resilience of democratic law-making to internal and external stress factors and shocks was closely bound up with social stability. \nThe conference – given over to establishing closer ties between Ukraine and the EU – was engrossing. Thanks go to the organisers of the event and to the working group moderators.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/ukraine-ukrainian-association-of-european-studies-17-18-october-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ukraine.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190929
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191005
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200227T101241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200519T123656Z
UID:4703-1569798000-1570229999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Study Visit 2019 to Georgia
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row el_class=”download-box-list”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7875″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][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” custom_letter_spacing=”-1.8px”][vc_column_text el_class=”download-box-list”] \n\n\n\nDossier\nList of Participants\nProfile of Speakers\nProgramme\nFull report\n\n\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 Georgia.[/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. \nThe FMA delegation was composed of 21 people. \nThe FMA Study Visit to Georgia took place from 29 September to 4 October 2019. A delegation of 18 former MEPs from ten EU countries and different European political families headed to Tbilisi. The FMA Vice-President\, Jan-Willem Bertens\, was the leader of the Delegation. The FMA in co-operation with the Georgian Parliament set up a very interesting programme. The visit was successful and former MEPs were able to participate in high-level meetings with government and parliament’s representatives from the ruling party and the opposition as well as the civil society. Former MEPs collected valuable information on a variety of issues such as economic development\, entry into force of the new constitution and impact on the political landscape\, independence of judiciary\, the occupied territories\, or the situation of workers and freedom of media.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4720″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \nFMA Delegation with Tamar KHULORDAVA\, Chairperson of the European Integration Committee and Archil TALAKVADZE\, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia. \n\n“There is one over-riding impression that strikes anyone meeting with politicians in Georgia; they all seem to be young\, highly educated\, competent\, articulate and multi-lingual. From all sides of the political spectrum there is a prevailing sense of optimism; a feeling that Georgia has a great future and that they are determined to make it happen. They all share the ambition to ensure that future is within the EU\, a view supported by over 80% of the Georgian population.” \n\nStruan Stevenson – FMA Member \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4718″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \nThe FMA Delegation with David ZALKALIANI\, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia \n“First of all\, the FMA Study Visit to Georgia was extremely well organized. Thanks to the comprehensive programme\, the situation in Georgia and its relations with the European Union could be fully understood by the participants. This knowledge can be used on various occasions.” \nFilip Kaczmarek – FMA member \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4732″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \nFMA Delegation with Mikheil BENIDZE\, International Society for fair Elections and Democracy\, Vakhushti MENABDE\, Georgian Young Lawyers Association\, Eka GIGAURI\, Transparency International and Vano CHKHIKVADZE\, Open Society Georgia Foundation. \n“Georgia is a confrontational democracy. The electoral system gives a reenforced majority to the winner. Therefore the decision of Georgian Dream\, the party in power detaining a constitutional majority\, to go for an electoral system granting seats in an absolute proportional way\, is a bold one\, which will diminish the power of the ruling party and will force political parties to cooperate in the interest of the Georgian people.” \nRobert Goebbels – FMA Member \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4726″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \nPublic Lecture at the Tbilisi State University \nThe keynote speech by Robert Goebbels at the Tbilisi State University\, followed by questions and answers\, was one of the highlights of the visit. He said : “History shows that our continent shaped human civilization through culture\, science\, inventions and technological progress generated in Europe. But the same Europeans brought also brutal colonization and many bloody wars to the rest of the world. After two World Wars\, which affected nations all over the planet\, there was an outcry in many parts of Europe: “Never again”. This “never again” gave birth to one of the most innovative political constructions in human history\, the European Union.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4728″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \nA moment during the visit to Lagodekhi Protected Areas \nA cultural visit to the Kvareli wine area and to the Lagodekhi Protected Areas located in north-eastern Georgia on the southern slopes of the Caucasus concluded the study visit.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4730″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] \nThe FMA Delegation visiting the Kvareli wine area \nMore pictures of the visit here. A full report of the visit will be published in the December Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/study-visit-2019-to-georgia/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Study Visit
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/study-visit-georgia-pic8-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190801
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190701T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T153624Z
UID:5477-1561935600-1564613999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY- LUISS GUIDO CARLI UNIVERSITY - Enrique BARON CRESPO
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A former member was invited to participate to the Summer Programme on “Parliamentary democracy in Europe”\, which was devoted to Parliamentary Elections and Democratic Accountability in the Age of Populism. The event was attended by our member Enrique Barón Crespo. Here below you can read his report that was published on the September 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Luiss Summer School- July 2019:\nReport on the Summer Programme at the University LUISS Guido Carli” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001fad” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]To wrap up the eighth edition of the LUISS Summer School ‘Parliamentary Democracy in Europe’\, the topic for which was ‘Parliamentary Elections and Democratic Accountability in the Era of Populism’\, on 19 July 2019\, a conference was held at the University LUISS Guido Carli in Rome on ‘Euroscepticism and the “new” European Parliament: what will happen after the 2019 elections?’. \nOn account of its speakers\, interest in the conference was high: former EP President Enrique Barón Crespo; Nicola Lupo\, a lecturer at LUISS; and Jan Wouters\, a lecturer at KU Leuven. Cristina Fasone\, Director of the Jean Monnet Programme supported by the FMA\, introduced subjects such as the challenges to be addressed in the next parliamentary term; the future role of Eurosceptic groups in Europe; the influence of Eurosceptic MEPs on the legislative procedure and interinstitutional relations after Brexit; potential opportunities for the Eurosceptics and nationalists. \nWhen presenting his positive vision for Europe\, President Barón Crespo pointed out that\, despite the wide range of electoral systems had been used\, turnout at the European elections had been high (+10%) and it was not the euro but the strengthening of borders that had been the focus of discussions: the values and principles of the Lisbon Treaty have been completely overridden by the ‘Fiscal Compact’. ‘The challenges ahead are: cooperation\, immigration\, the budget\, foreign policy\, defence and security\, unemployment\, climate change (to be tackled by means of a ‘Green Deal’)\, and trade agreements such as the recent EU-Mercosur agreement; but the real revolution will be to achieve gender parity\, as new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said. And the codecision procedure is fundamental in a European Parliament that is increasingly politicised\, as reflected in inappropriate calls for voting by secret ballot\, and which the British do not seem to want to leave\, having continued to play a key role in the election of Parliament’s President and in the Committees’. \n \nAll the speakers noted the Eurosceptics’ desire to obstruct integration of any kind\, by slowing the pace of reforms and decision-making\, and considered how majorities would be formed\, depending on the subjects under discussion in the European Parliament\, during a term which would be anything but boring. \nAfter the conference\, we took part in the General Assembly of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies\, chaired by Andrea Manzella\, who in his address spoke of the unpredictable phenomenon of emotions-based populism and – as he stated in Il Parlamento europeo\, una introduzione (The European Parliament: an Introduction)\, which he co-authored with Nicola Lupo – he believes that a sovereigntist presence in Parliament is ‘useful\, if not essential’ because it provides ‘internal opposition to the system’. It is a minority which can stimulate a response and is not a hostile force large enough to block European integration: it will\, therefore\, be necessary to step up joint action by the European Parliament and national parliaments to bring about parliamentary cooperation\, as laid down in the Treaties establishing the European Union\, where the sovereigntists are recognised as the official opposition in an internal European area. Marta Dassù\, Director of Aspenia\, shares these views. She believes that changing the rules is essential to prevent the emergence of entrenched policy positions that are not open to challenge\, and that Parliament should be able to initiate legislation with a view to bolstering common foreign and defence policy\, on the basis of the economy and security\, and regaining trust in the Member States. Personally\, I believe that the role of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will also be decisive. \nBy Monica Baldi[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-luiss-guido-carli-university-july-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/luiss-logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190602
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190605
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200226T104742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200512T120230Z
UID:4514-1559516400-1559689199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2019 FMA Visit to Romania
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row el_class=”download-box-list”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”7619″ img_size=”full” 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” custom_letter_spacing=”-1.8px”][vc_column_text] \n\nDossier\nList of Participants\nProgramme\nPhotos\nFull report\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The FMA Board member Brigitte Langenhagen led an  FMA delegation composed of 11 former MEPs from seven EU countries (DE\, ES\, FR\, IT\, LU\, NL\, and UK) and different European political families (EPP-ED\, Socialists\, Liberals and Greens)\, that visited Romania from 03 to 04 June on the occasion of the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The FMA in co-operation with the Romanian Parliament set up a programme aimed at evaluating progress towards achievements of the EU Presidency. It included official meetings with Parliament\, government as well as an open debate with university students and a visit to the Institute of Atomic Physics.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4521″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]One of the highlights of the visit was the meeting with representatives of the European Affairs Committees and the Foreign Affairs Committees from the Romanian Chamber of Deputies and the Romanian Senate at the premises of the Romanian Palace of Parliament. The primary subject of the dialogue featured the Romanian Presidency of the Council whose achievements and priorities were firstly presented\, followed by an exchange of views on priorities and difficulties of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2019. Mr Bob van den Bos evaluated the morning sessions as follows: \n“The morning sessions in the Parliament have been very valuable\, especially concerning the Romanian Presidency. We became more aware of the concrete achievements of the Romanian Presidency and also of all the obstacles the Romanians had to face. We were impressed by their cooperation with the EU Institutions and with the national Parliaments\, which was of great additional value to make the RO Presidency a success – despite all the problems they had to face\, in particular the internal instability and internal conflicts\, and of course Brexit and the EU-elections\, which meant that the Presidency in fact was only a question of two or three month instead of six.”  \nBob van den Bos \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4523″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The Delegation also had the great honour to meet Constantin Mugur Isărescu\, Governor of the National Bank of Romania\, who not only organised a visit through the prestigious premises and National Bank’s museum but also invited the delegation to a meeting to discuss primarily Romania’s financial situation and adhesion to the European Central Bank. Robert Moreland describes the visit: \n“The Governor took us on an interesting tour of the bank including some of the coins that had been used and their access to gold that has always been good. We then had a discussion with him where he outlined that Romania had had a strong banking history and was of course now preparing joining the Euro and the Central bank. He said there were some problems obviously but their growth rate has been good\, also the debt had been low – the national debt has been 40% of the GDP\, so they did fulfil some of the criteria. Their big problem was inflation that was higher than the average in Europe but they hoped to join the Euro in about 2024. He was very optimistic – indeed he used the word optimistic about the bank its management and so on forth.”  \nRobert Moreland \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4525″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration – SNSPA\, is one of the most prestigious Universities in Romania and most students will later on work in high ranked jobs or become politicians. The open debate organised together with one of the Vice-Rectos of the University allowed the delegation to get an in-depth insight on student’s opinions on the EU and the European Elections in Romania: \n“The visit to the National School of Political Science and Public Administration (SNSPA) began with a greeting and presentation of the delegation by Mme Brigitte Langenhagen as head of the delegation. Afterwards\, the director of the Centre dedicated a few words to the importance of the University as a training centre for future political leaders and senior officials\, both Romanian and international. Mme Erna Hennicot-Schoepges reflected on the history of the European Union and the importance of universities in the construction process. This was followed by a very interesting debate with the students\, who despite being in the examination period wanted to attend the meeting very motivated especially about the results of the last European elections and the increase in the presence of anti-European parties and whether this could block or paralyse progress in the policies of the Union. The environmental issue also came up in several questions and as well as their scepticism about the position of the Trump administration or the Brazilian president and the lack of commitments in pollution control. Finally\, Mr. Jan-Willem Bertens appealed to the European spirit and the importance of young people in the process of European construction.” – \nTeresa Domingo \n[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4527″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]A complete report on the visit will be published in the September Bulletin. Photos of the visit are available here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/2019-fma-visit-to-romania/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Visit to National Parliaments
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/romania_pic2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190601
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190604
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200204T094955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200602T132258Z
UID:4045-1559430000-1559602799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:CAFP Annual Meeting 2019
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nVISITING CANADA – 2 AND 3 JUNE 2019\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nAttending the annual general meeting pf the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians (CAFP) has reaffirmed my conviction that establishing collaborative relationships with other organisations whose objectives are broadly aligned with our own to exchange information\, experiences\, ideas and working methods conducive to innovation and to enhance the effectiveness of our actions\, as one of the best investments we can make to ensure our association maintains its dynamism and moves forward with cohesion into the global reality of the world we live in. \nIt also reaffirmed my conviction concerning the important role that associations such as ours can play in advancing towards a better world: the knowledge\, leadership\, commitment and experience of the majority of former parliamentarians is an extremely valuable resource that should not be wasted. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”3882″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe CAFP strives to improve democracy in the world. Some of its members\, such as its former president\, Léo Duguay\, are true experts in this field. \nThe various scheduled events\, were an opportunity to meet and talk with former MPs and senators from various parties\, and all of whom agreed that their active participation in the association enables them to continue serving their country. \nI was extremely warmly welcomed\, and everyone I met was united by their interest in current affairs in the EU: I was mainly asked about the results of the recent European elections\, the future of Brexit\, the EU’s relations with the Trump administration and the situation in Catalonia. The current CAFP President\, Dorothy Dobbie\, with whom I had dinner the night before\, gave me the opportunity to address the meeting. \nThe CAFP enjoys strong institutional support from the House of Commons and the Senate. We discussed the most topical issues for  Canada with both speakers: The problems with the USA concerning the ratification of NAFTA\, the ongoing crisis with China following the arrest of Meng Wanzhou\, the CFO of Huawei and daughter of its founder\, on accusations of violating the sanctions against Iran\, and the current situation in Quebec. \nWe also discussed the Arctic and indigenous communities\, topics of particular interest for me. Canada is one of five countries with sovereignty over the Arctic\, thus holding both the right to exploit its resources and the principal responsibility for maintaining its ecosystem. The Arctic represents 40% of Canada’s territory\, and an integral part of Canada’s identity. It is home to 115 000 people\, most of whom are indigenous and have difficulty accessing housing\, education and health care\, and\, owing to living conditions in the region\, in producing fresh food locally. The consequences of climate change in the Arctic are currently a source of both challenges and opportunities. \nThe indigenous population is growing four times more quickly than the rest of Canada’s population and indigenous languages are showing a strong resurgence. \nThe visit was extremely constructive and although some of their activities are very similar to ours – publishing the magazine Beyond the Hill\, study visits\, seminars\, conferences\, and regional meetings – I took a careful note of any elements that we could serve as a model for us too. \nLastly\, a word of remembrance for a colleague and friend\, Senator Pierre Nolin\, with I worked for long hours in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly\, who died in 2015 as Speaker of the Senate. He was greatly appreciated by all. \nTeresa Riera Madurell \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/cafp-annual-meeting-2019/
LOCATION:Annual Meeting\, Bruxelles\, B-1047\, Belgium
CATEGORIES:FMA Network
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Former-Members-Network.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190514
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190518
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190501T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T152230Z
UID:5481-1557874800-1558133999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ROMANIA- ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA UNIVERSITY OF IASI - Birgit DAIBER
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8263″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Sources” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230008ad” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text el_class=”download-box-list”] \n\nReport\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited a former Member to participate in the 3rd International Conference on European Financial Regulation (EUFIRE). The attendees were academics\, researchers\, students\, practitioners\, policy makers\, business and civil society representatives interested in the topic of EU financial regulation. The Conference was attended by our member Birgit Daiber. Here below you can read her report that was published on the September 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A visit to the Easternmost University in the EU:\nReport on the 3rd International Conference on European Financial Regulation (EUFIRE)” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi is not only the easternmost university in the EU\, it is also the oldest in Romania. It was founded in 1860\, and many of its buildings date from before the First World War\, when Romania was rich and could afford to be ostentatious. The 26000 young people who study here do so in a very special atmosphere. The university has not only a large number of halls of residence\, restaurants\, parks\, libraries\, secondhand street bookstalls (people still read in the old-fashioned way beside the large IT faculty) and a beautiful botanical garden\, but also its own hotel for academic colleagues who come to visit. The university maintains an active international exchange programme and encourages its students to join the Erasmus Programme. The teachers say that 8000 of its students have already taken part since its inception. The 2-day campus seminar was organised by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration as part of the university’s ‘Europe week’ and was coordinated by Professors Irina Bilan and Marius Apostoaie. Nearly 100 students took part. The overall theme of the seminar was European Monetary Union. \n \nMy presentation was about the history of monetary union\, which was established as the sole\, highly-specific project in the triad of monetary\, economic and political union under the Maastricht Treaty. Of particular interest to the students were the fiscal regulations introduced during and after the financial crisis in order to stabilise the single currency. There was harsh criticism of the fact that the regulations remain severely underpowered and that the international fiscal situation is still in a critical state\, particularly as a result of the enormous growth in shadow banking. There was a great deal of well-informed interest shown not only in monetary union but also in European democracy\, with the European elections approaching. \n \nSo what is special about European democracy? Is it the fact that the European Parliament now has considerable power which\, however\, is in the form of co-decision rights\, so that the Council of Ministers still holds the reins? Or that decisionmaking – including in Parliament – is always constrained by the need to compromise? How far did this Parliament have to come before there were direct elections\, and how many long and bitter debates were there before it became what it is now (and the debates are by no means finished)? The lively discussion wound up with a move to convince the students that the unfinished nature of the EU as a construct and the fact that this Europe always was and still is a work in progress is precisely the reason why they should devote time and attention to it in large measure. \nBy Birgit Daiber[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/romania-alexandru-ioan-cuza-university-of-iasi-15-17-may-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/uaic_iasi.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190506
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190509
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190501T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T152040Z
UID:5485-1557183600-1557356399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:TURKEY- IZMIR UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS - Robert EVANS
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe event had as its main theme “EU Environment and Climate Policy” and how the EU institutions work in practice and what factors shape EU’s decision-making (concrete cases\, e.g. EP-Commission relations\, EP-Council negotiations\, party politics in the EP)\, or the EU’s environmental/climate politics\, or EU-Turkey relations. \nFMA Member Robert EVANS\,participated in the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A VISIT TO IZMIR 6 – 8 MAY 2019\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230d00cc” 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 would be near impossible not to be impressed with Izmir. Situated in western Turkey on the shores of the Aegean Sea\, Izmir takes its name from the Amazon Queen Smyrna. Today it is Turkey’s third largest city – after Istanbul and the capital Ankara. It is a young and dynamic place (almost half of its population of 4 million are under the age of 30) with a public transport system that works well including a fast-developing eighteen station metro. Historically\, Izmir has been home to many different cultures and religions\, from the Persians and Ancient Greeks\, to the Romans and Ottomans. \nToday\, it is also home to the Izmir University of Economics (Izmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi) which was my destination in May on behalf of the Former Members of the European Parliament. Professor Dr. Alexander Bürgin had invited me to speak with his students about issues ranging from EU foreign policy and Turkey to the future of Europe after Brexit. Izmir University has some 8000 students and is part-housed in a former luxury hotel building! \nMany of the university’s courses are conducted in English and almost all the students I met spoke the language fluently. The university has Erasmus Plus agreements with some 168 universities spread across 26 countries in addition to academic cooperation protocol with another 41 universities. My talk to Professor’s Bürgin’s PhD students was on EU governance and procedures. We discussed preparations for the 2019 elections and ways in which the EU might engage more closely with its citizens. It was noted however\, that many surveys show the EU’s policy making to be closer to the aspirations of its citizens than those of many national governments. \nMy stay in Turkey coincided with the Supreme Election Council’s controversial decision to order a re-run of Istanbul’s recent mayoral election over alleged irregularities. Despite this\, in discussion with the MSc students\, I expressed optimism for Turkey’s future relations with the EU. Turkey\, certainly Istanbul and Izmir\, seem economically as advanced and European in outlook\, as many other cities in the EU. True\, there are some serious issues to be addressed but it would be foolish for us to close the door on Turkey’s membership application at this most sensitive time. In my discussion with undergraduates on the European studies course\, the debate inevitably concentrated on Brexit. \nFormer prime minister David Cameron’s naive decision to call a referendum in the hope of uniting his Conservative Party has spectacularly backfired. The British Conservatives are more divided then ever\, the opposition Labour Party (my own party) confused to say the least and the country split from top to bottom. How the UK will successfully move forward in its relations with the EU are\, at the time of writing unknown. Were the decisions to be left in the hands of the well-informed young people at Izmir University\, who knows\, we might make progress and reach more sensible agreements! And so\, all too quickly\, my visit to Izmir was over and I headed home\, my mind full of positive images and memories.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/turkey-izmir-university-of-economics-7-8-may-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Izmir-University-of-Economics-IUE-logo-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190505
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190508
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190501T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T151943Z
UID:5489-1557097200-1557269999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ITALY- UNIVERSITY OF ROME TOR VERGATA - John IVERSEN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited a Former Member to an interdisciplinary international conference on the European Parliament. The conference was funded by EACEA\, and involved not only scholars and policymakers\, but intended to target mainly doctoral students and students.\nA former member was invited to explain how a European parliamentarian works. The conference was attended by our member John Iversen. Here below you can read his report that was published on September 2020 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”TOWARDS THE EP ELECTIONS OF MAY 2019:\nReport on interdisciplinary international conference on the European Parliament” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001ea5″ 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 was invited to attend a conference on May 6-7 in Rome at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Here\, about 120 PHD students from the university were gathered for a conference on the just-passed European Parliament elections. There was a wide range of very exciting presentations on the European Parliament’s evolution from an assembly of designated parliamentarians from the six original EC countries to a directly elected European Parliament of 751 members with a profound influence on the virtual all areas of EU legislative activity. The conference was organized by the University of Rome at the Vergata and AUSE star of the Associazione Universitaria di Studi Europei. It was also supported by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union\, and the European Parliament Former Members Association. \nThe conference was led by the president of AUSE Daniela Felsini of the University of Rome Tor Vergata\, and the Secretary-General of AUSE Francesco Velo\, of the University of Pavia. \nIn my speech\, I reviewed the special feature of the European Parliament as a supranational parliament. • It is the world’s most\nfar-reaching experiment in transnational democracy. \n• It is obligatory to operate in three different locations rather than have one single seat. \n• It is multilingual to a degree unknown elsewhere. \n• Like the US Congress\, but unlike national parliaments\, no government emerges directly from a majority in Parliament. \n \n• Its members come from a fixed number of national political parties. In my presentation\, I reviewed the development of the European Parliament’s power and influence from the Assembly with 142 indirectly elected members in 1958 until the first direct elections in 1979 and up to the recent elections of 23-26 May 2019. In addition\, we discussed how\, over the years\, the European Parliament has succeeded in moving from being a Parliament with limited influence to today\, where Europe has a decisive influence on most policy areas. The evolution from being a Parliament that just had to be heard and to a European Parliament where all the EU legislation requires approval form the European Parliament has only lasted 40 years. \nIn a year where it is both 40 years since we had the first direct election and 40 years ago that Jean Monnet died\, it must be said to be quite\nimpressive that the European Parliament today is really one of the two legislative chambers of the European union. The debate was lively and it was very well organized. Thanks to the University of Rome Tor Vegata and AUSE – Associazione Universitaria di Studi Europei for the invitation to represent the European Parliament Former Members Association.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/italy-university-of-rome-tor-vergata-6-7-may-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/EP-to-campus-heading.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190503
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200303T141033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210111T144147Z
UID:5825-1556751600-1556837999@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:The State of the Union 2019
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 2019 edition of The State of the Union took place last weekend and had a special emphasis on 21st-Century Democracy in Europe\, a theme of particular relevance in the run-up to the European elections at the end of May 2019.\nExpert speakers representing a broad range of organisations\, countries and views participated to debate and reflected on the democratic functioning of the European Union\, its member states\, and their capacity to respond to the aspirations and needs of future generations. FMA President Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering\, Monica Baldi FMA member\, who oversees our ties with the EUI in Florence\, and Former EP and FMA President Enrique Barón Crespo attended the conference and participated in the debates. \nDr Hans Gert Pöttering participated to the panel\, Do we really need politicians? E-democracy vs. representative democracy\, on Thursday 2nd of May. \n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\nThe questions this panel addressed were: What are the remedies to this trust crisis? Should we accept the end of political intermediaries and invest in the “horizontal” dimension of democracy by expanding direct participation and edemocracy? Or should we fix politics by improving the selection and incentives of elected officials? \nWatch the Panel discussion and the Spitzenkandidaten Debate below: \n[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1581425113837{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSL1ktxKlbg” align=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SH2jAEU8Jc” align=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”E-DEMOCRACY VS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY\nMission report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230019aa” google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]“The role of universities is not limited to teaching and research – it also includes a third mission: to engage fully with society.” The opening lines of EUI President Renaud Dehousse’s welcome address to the 2019 State of the Union (SOU) high-level conference synthesized what the European University Institute’s (EUI) aims have been since its foundation in 1976\, namely scientific excellence linked to societal commitment. Under the heading “21st-Century Democracy in Europe”\, the SOU took place on the 2nd to the 4th of May at Villa Salviati and Palazzo Vecchio\, Florence\, such topics as rule of law\, intergenerational inequalities\, the Single Market\, and disinformation in elections. \nFMA President Hans-Gert Pöttering\, former EP President Enrique Barón Crespo and Monica Baldi\, who continuously espouses closer ties with the EUI\, represented the Former Members Association at the SOU. The panel discussion “Do we really need politicians? E-democracy vs. representative democracy” on the second of May relied on the expertise of David Farrell\, Professor at University College Dublin\, Tommaso Nannicini\, Member of the Italian Senate and Professor at Bocconi University\, and President Pöttering. At the sight of eroding party systems and decreasing membership in political parties on the one hand\, but increased use of direct participation tools and e-democracy on the other\, the discussants reflected upon possible remedies to reconcile both the vertical and horizontal dimension of democracy. \nProfessor Nannicini initial remarks on old party systems\, where those involved in the democratic process were aggregated much stronger by convictions\, were backed by President Pöttering\, who cited En Marche in France as a counterexample. Movements or platforms like the one who brought Emmanuel Macron to power pose greater difficulties to effective participation in the political process in comparison to traditional party structures\, which\, despite their rigidness\, reward the competence of politicians. \nProfessor Farrell pointed out how our political systems have persistently proved themselves highly adaptive in the face of adversity. President Pöttering supported the latter’s view and added that each generation has its own challenges. Nevertheless\, he rejected the argument that e-democracy could facilitate the “selection of politicians”. The technocratic notion suggested in that perspective would effectively undermine the normative side of politics\, an indispensable trait of our democracies. Farrell then introduced recent findings in his home country\, Ireland\, where so-called Citizen Assemblies had been launched prior to important votes\, such as the 2018 referendum on abortion. The outcome was very positive\, as the Assembly channelled popular demands and contributed to a better-informed public on voting day. Prof Nannicini in turn praised the opportunities of e-government; in light of specialisation and growing bureaucracies\, the digitalisation of democracy would be a promise of greater transparency. “Democracy is not everything”\, warned President Pöttering in his final statement. Respect of direct democracy and\, in the context of the European Union\, the recognition of different referenda procedures depending on each member state\, should never degenerate into the dictatorship of the majority. History has shown\, over time\, how the abuse of direct democracy instruments puts the protection of minorities in jeopardy. E-democracy\, in sum\, should be a complement and never a substitute of representative democracy and the liberal state. \nFMA Secretariat \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/the-state-of-the-union-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:The State of the Union
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/state_of_union_banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190419
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190401T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T151408Z
UID:5493-1555369200-1555628399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ROMANIA- BABES-BOLYAI UNIVERSITY CLUJ - Gyula HEGYI
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited a former Member to participate in a conference on “Democracy without liberalism – dealing with populism in the EU”. \nThe Congress was attended by our member Gyula Hegyi. Here below you can read her report that was published on the December 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”DEBATES IN CLUJ:\nReport on the Conference in Babes- Bolyai University” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001dc1″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Babes-Bolyai University (UBB Cluj-Napoca) is one of the biggest universities in Romania. Around 41000 students study there\, making Cluj a flourishing\, youthful city. This university\, commonly known by its abbreviation ‘UBB’\, works closely with the European Parliament and the Former Members Association (FMA). I was invited to give three lectures on 16\, 17 and 18 April 2019 as part of our joint programme. As I was invited to Cluj just before the European elections\, I obviously had to concentrate on the opportunities and risks associated with those elections. \nI was initially a little surprised to be asked to give three long lectures on three different topics\, but the presence of so many young students (40-60 on the different occasions) and the warm welcome of the assistant professors made it a rather easy task. The title of my first lecture was ‘On the importance of the European Elections’. I spoke about the importance of the European Parliament as the EU body that represents EU citizens and explained its role in the EU decision-making process. After my lecture\, the students asked many questions concerning the danger of populism and the chances of the pro-European and the Eurosceptic forces. It was very inspiring to discover that all the students were pro-European and to hear them condemn the extreme nationalist tendencies in Romania and all over in Europe. Of course\, as a former Hungarian MEP I was also asked about the influence of Viktor Orbán and tried to answer correctly. My next lecture on ‘Democracy without liberalism – dealing with populism in the EU’ was a direct follow-up to the first one. I tried to point out that we can combat illiberal tendencies\, but that it’s impossible to do so without a fair and sound social policy. The main source of populism is a widespread fear of poverty and social and economic uncertainty\, and the feeling of being neglected by the traditional political parties. It’s not enough to condemn populism: we should also fight for a Social Europe. \n \nSome students did\, however\, defend capitalism and condemn any kind of socialist tendency. We had an enjoyable discussion on the role that Member States and the European Community have to play in balancing economic freedom with social justice. On the third day\, I held a workshop on ‘Career opportunities in EU studies’. Given the importance of the topic\, I made some slides to show the students all the websites that provide information on the various EU-related scholarships\, trainee programmes\, volunteering opportunities etc. I also spoke about the role of MEP assistants and the FMA’s own trainee programme. The students seemed to be really interested in participating in one of those programmes to complement their European Studies degrees. \nI also met Professor Mihaela Lutas\, the Vice Rector of the UBB\, and we agreed that our joint programmes are extremely important. I thanked him for his hospitality and we agreed to continue the partnership between the FMA and the UBB.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/romania-babes-bolyai-university-cluj-16-18-avril-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hegyi.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190407
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190410
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190401T124045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T151005Z
UID:5497-1554678000-1554850799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:ISRAEL- BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY - Hans-Gert PÖTTERING
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]FMA President\, Hans-Gert Pöttering attended an international conference marking Simone Veil’s life; to discuss her impact on French and European politics and contribution to key societal issues of our time.\nThe event also served to unveil the new title of the Centre for the Study of Politics and Society (CSEPS)\, which became the ‘The Simone Veil Research Centre for Contemporary European Studies’. \nThe international conference was attended by our President Hans-Gert Pöttering. Here below you can read his report that was published on June 2019 FMA Bulletin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SIMONE VEIL REMEMBERED IN ISRAEL:\nREPORT ON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE BEN GURION UNIVERSITY” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%230013a5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Raleway%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800%2C900|font_style:800%20bold%20regular%3A800%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society (CSEPS) of the Ben Gurion University in Beersheba\, Israel\, has decided to adopt a new name in honour of the late Simone Veil. \nAs of the 2018 academic year\, CSEPS has taken on its new name of ‘The Simone Veil Research Centre for Contemporary European Studies.’ The Research Centre’s new name was officially unveiled in an international conference\, from the 8th to 10th of April\, that commemorated Simone Veil’s life and legacy in European politics. The FMA President Hans-Gert Pöttering attended the conference and was asked to give the students some insight on the life and political career of Simone Veil. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering\, personally voted for President Simone Veil in 1979\, when he was a newly elected member of the European Parliament\, told the panel about his personal experiences with the esteemed politician. The two former EP Presidents shared their views on a unified Europe and the important role of a strong Franco-German relationship. \n \nIn 2010 Simone Veil and Hans- Gert Pöttering collaborated on writing and signing an editorial on the Franco-German relation for the German and French media: “Germany is fundamentally committed to stability\, while France proposes ‘economic governance’. The two points of view are complementary and lead to the defence of both the stability of the euro and the social market economy (a term of German origin\, Soziale Marktwirtschaft) as defined in the Lisbon Treaty\, to defend the competitiveness of our economies and the security of our jobs. To this\nend\, France and Germany will have to put forward joint proposals for political and economic strategy” they wrote together. \nDr. Pöttering also participated in a panel discussion on ‘The European Parliament since 1979: Actors\, Issues and New Developments’. The panel was chaired by  Professor Sharon Pardo\, a senior Researcher at The Simone Veil Research Centre. The other speakers were Professor Dani Filc\, Dr. Sarah Kahn-Nisser and Dr. Maurits Meijers. The panel discussed the evolution of actors\, issues and new developments in the European Parliament since ‘79.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/israel-ben-gurion-university-8-9-avril-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pöttering-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190403
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190405
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200227T152954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200227T165815Z
UID:4953-1554332400-1554418799@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2019 Annual Lunch
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \nThe 2019 Annual Lunch took place on the 4 April at the European Parliament in Brussels. \nClick here for more pictures[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/2019-annual-lunch/
LOCATION:Florence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190404_EP-086806F_JVV_018-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190404
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200227T152954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200602T150319Z
UID:4855-1554246000-1554332399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:2019 Dinner Debate
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 2019 Dinner Debate took place on Wednesday 3 April at the Member’s Restaurant of the European Parliament in Brussels. The Guest Speaker was Professor Renaud Dehousse\, President of the European University Institute (EUI).[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”4858\,4860\,4862\,4864″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_column_text]Click here for more pictures[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/2019-dinner-debate/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Dinner Debate
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190403_EP-086806C_TRO_0389-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190404
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190403T165052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210111T152934Z
UID:7303-1554246000-1554332399@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Memorial Service 2019
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 2019 Memorial Service was held on Wednesday 3 April at 17:30 in the Space Yehudi Menuhin\, European Parliament\, Brussels.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/UHd-PLdHOX4″][vc_column_text]Read the Final Oration by President Klaus Hänsch and please find below the Brochure with the full list of deceased members  and obituaries written by their former colleagues.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”`{`3d-flip-book mode=“fullscreen“ urlparam=“fb3d-page“ pdf=“/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Text-Brochure-FIN-EN.pdf“`}`” color=”chino”][/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/memorial-service-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:Memorial Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20180502_EP-066397A_DBA_110-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20190402T230000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20190402T230000
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200402T140457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201123T123545Z
UID:8708-1554246000-1554246000@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Forty years since the first direct elections to the EP: The making of a new political institution
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the third of April\, the Former Members Association\, the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) and the European University Institute (EUI) co-organised a policy roundtable on Forty years since the first direct elections to the EP: The making of a new political institution chaired by Anthony Teasdale\, Director General of the European Parliamentary Research Service. Former European Parliament Presidents Enrique Barón Crespo\, Pat Cox\, Klaus Hänsch and Hans-Gert Pöttering\, and Former European Parliament Vice-President for Conciliations Charlotte Cederschiöld\, participated to the discussion and shared their insight on this exceptional anniversary of democracy as well as their ideas on the upcoming European Parliament elections in May. Dieter Schlenker\, Director of the EU Historical Archives\, moderated the panel.[/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=”8694″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The first Expert Panel focused on the ’79-’89 Parliaments and their impact on the Parliaments’ culture\, Europe’s economic development and the efforts to broaden the impact of the Parliament on European politics. Prof. Wassenberg\, Prof. Kaiser and Prof. Warlouzet\, stressed the importance of the FMA members who provided relevant first-hand testimonies.\nDuring the Second Panel the Presidents took the floor and praised the evolution of the Parliament. President Pöttering acknowledged that there was an initial ‘democratic deficit’ but that this is no longer the case. Now Parliament plays a crucial role in the legislation process. Vice-President Charlotte Cederschiöld confirmed this point and President Hänsch added: “This Parliament should not seek to be or to become like the national parliaments. It is different and it must remain different.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7053″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7055”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]President Cox shared his concern about rising nationalism and anti-European tendencies but called to stand up for Europe by citing Jean Monnet “I am neither pessimist nor optimist\, I am merely determined.” He recognised that the decline of voter turnout is an issue of governance and legitimacy. President Barón Crespo opened his speech by reminding the figure of the President of the first directly elected European Parliament\, Simone Veil\, who embodied the dignity of Europe. He concluded by mentioning that movements for the emancipation of women or climate change\, with youth at its core\, are a promising outlook for the future of the European project.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”7057\,7059\,7061\,7063″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” custom_links_target=”_blank” speed=”3000″ autoplay=”yes” custom_links=”#E-8_aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZmxpY2tyLmNvbSUyRnBob3RvcyUyRjE1MTg2MjA1MCU0ME4wNyUyRmFsYnVtcyUyRjcyMTU3NzA0NDcyNTU3MjUyJTJDJTIw”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/forty-years-since-the-first-direct-elections-to-the-ep-the-making-of-a-new-political-institution-2/
LOCATION:European Parliament\, Rue Wiertz 60\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20190403_EP-086778B_EP-086806A_EPRS_FMA_BBO_078-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20190402T230000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20190402T230000
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200402T140457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T144544Z
UID:7050-1554246000-1554246000@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:Forty years since the first direct elections to the EP: The making of a new political institution
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the third of April\, the Former Members Association\, the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) and the European University Institute (EUI) co-organised a policy roundtable on Forty years since the first direct elections to the EP: The making of a new political institution chaired by Anthony Teasdale\, Director General of the European Parliamentary Research Service. Former European Parliament Presidents Enrique Barón Crespo\, Pat Cox\, Klaus Hänsch and Hans-Gert Pöttering\, and Former European Parliament Vice-President for Conciliations Charlotte Cederschiöld\, participated to the discussion and shared their insight on this exceptional anniversary of democracy as well as their ideas on the upcoming European Parliament elections in May. Dieter Schlenker\, Director of the EU Historical Archives\, moderated the panel.[/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=”8694″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The first Expert Panel focused on the ’79-’89 Parliaments and their impact on the Parliaments’ culture\, Europe’s economic development and the efforts to broaden the impact of the Parliament on European politics. Prof. Wassenberg\, Prof. Kaiser and Prof. Warlouzet\, stressed the importance of the FMA members who provided relevant first-hand testimonies.\nDuring the Second Panel the Presidents took the floor and praised the evolution of the Parliament. President Pöttering acknowledged that there was an initial ‘democratic deficit’ but that this is no longer the case. Now Parliament plays a crucial role in the legislation process. Vice-President Charlotte Cederschiöld confirmed this point and President Hänsch added: “This Parliament should not seek to be or to become like the national parliaments. It is different and it must remain different.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7053″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7055”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]President Cox shared his concern about rising nationalism and anti-European tendencies but called to stand up for Europe by citing Jean Monnet “I am neither pessimist nor optimist\, I am merely determined.” He recognised that the decline of voter turnout is an issue of governance and legitimacy. President Barón Crespo opened his speech by reminding the figure of the President of the first directly elected European Parliament\, Simone Veil\, who embodied the dignity of Europe. He concluded by mentioning that movements for the emancipation of women or climate change\, with youth at its core\, are a promising outlook for the future of the European project.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”7057\,7059\,7061\,7063″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” custom_links_target=”_blank” speed=”3000″ autoplay=”yes” custom_links=”#E-8_aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZmxpY2tyLmNvbSUyRnBob3RvcyUyRjE1MTg2MjA1MCU0ME4wNyUyRmFsYnVtcyUyRjcyMTU3NzA0NDcyNTU3MjUyJTJDJTIw”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/forty-years-since-the-first-direct-elections-to-the-ep-the-making-of-a-new-political-institution/
LOCATION:European Parliament\, Rue Wiertz 60\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium
CATEGORIES:Events on 40 years of European Parliament
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20190403_EP-086778B_EP-086806A_EPRS_FMA_BBO_078-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190320
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190322
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T143710Z
UID:5505-1553122800-1553209199@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:SPAIN- UNIVERSITY OF DEUSTO - Francisca SAUQUILLO PÉREZ DEL ARCO
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University invited Francisca Sauquillo Pérez Del Arco to participate in the Jean Monnet conference: Political and economic legitimacy of the European union in current time. \nA report in Spanish is available here.[/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=”9009″][vc_column_text] \nFrancisca SAUQUILLO PÉREZ DEL ARCO with students  \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/spain-university-of-deusto-21-march-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/deusto.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190319
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190323
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20200610T093620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T143440Z
UID:10474-1553036400-1553295599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED KINGDOM- DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY IN LEICESTER - Olle SCHMIDT
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9065″][vc_column_text]L’Université a invité deux anciens députés à participer à une série d’événements organisés du 20 au 22 mars 2019 sur le thème “La Grande-Bretagne et l’Union européenne après Brexit”. L’événement s’est déroulé dans le cadre des travaux du Centre d’excellence Jean Monnet de l’Université sur la gouvernance européenne sur la réforme et l’orientation future de l’Union européenne. L’événement a été organisé la semaine précédant la date à laquelle le Royaume-Uni doit quitter l’UE. \nOle Schmidt\, membre de l’AAD\, a participé à ces événements.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”9076\,9085\,9083\,9088″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/united-kingdom-de-montfort-university-in-leicester-olle-schmidt/
LOCATION:Florence
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/de-monfort.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190319
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190323
DTSTAMP:20260503T141209
CREATED:20190301T134045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200618T143112Z
UID:5501-1553036400-1553295599@www.formermembers.eu
SUMMARY:UNITED KINGDOM- De MONTFORT UNIVERSITY IN LEICESTER -Seán O NEACHTAIN
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9065″][vc_column_text]The University invited two former Members to participate in a series of events held from 20 to 22 March 2019 with the topic Britain and the European Union after Brexit. The event took place in the context of the work of the University Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in European Governance on the reform and future direction of the European Union. The event was organized the week before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. \nSeán Ó NEACHTAIN participated in these event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”9076\,9085\,9083\,9088″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.formermembers.eu/event/united-kingdom-de-montfort-university-in-leicester-20-22-march-2019/
LOCATION:Florence
CATEGORIES:EP to campus
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.formermembers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/de-monfort.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR