Europe, learn from the past and look ahead!

The European Union is being challenged. Interestingly, the original thoughts on the European integration project can be of great use for today’s Europe. Its principal architect, Robert Schuman, has a lot to say to us and so do the other Founding Fathers. His frame of reference promotes European solidarity within and beyond European borders. A paradigm shift seems to be needed. But, what does this entail?!

Academic background and current affairs combined promiss to have a lively discussion!

Professor Dr. Frans Alting von Geusau, Em. Professor European Law at Tilburg University and Leiden University will refresh the key insights of the beginnings of the European unification project that brought the longest period of peace ever on the European continent.

Professor Dr. Jaap de Zwaan, University  Professor European Law Erasmus University Rotterdam and lector European Integration at The Hague University of Applied Sciences will then introduce the challenging times the EU is experimenting these days and speak about the need of differentiated EU-enlargement.

Dr. Piotr Perczynski, Political Scientist and former first Secretary of the Polish Embassy and former Advisor to the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs/ Finance will speak about the ins and outs of the Polish accession to the EU and give us an insight in the interests and fears of East and Central European countries before becoming a member of the EU.

Three distinguished media experts will then shed their light on the current topics like economic crisis, migration, terrorism, geopolitical tensions (a.o. Russia, populism, Brexit) and open the discussion with the public.
The introductions will be 15-20 minutes each and be followed by a max. 60 minutes discussion.

(020) 573 72 67
secretariaat@soka.nl
www.soka.nl