Objective

To guide the steps of the European Union and to mobilise its citizens so as to make such steps possible, it is not enough to analyse the past and criticise the present. It is crucial to concoct concrete proposals for a better future and to subject them to a no-nonsense, multidisciplinary discussion. The Conversations for the Future of Europe aim to contribute to such a discussion.

A concern for concreteness and political feasibility should be present throughout, the aim being, as in Robert Schuman’s 1950 declaration, des réalisations concrètes rather than vague dreams. However, this should not prevent us from bearing in mind Max Weber’s warning at the end of Politik als Beruf: “Certainly all historical experience confirms the truth that man would not have attained the possible unless time and again he had reached out for the impossible.” A concern for feasibility is compatible with boldness. Indeed, boldness may be required to move forward. In order to foster uninhibited common thinking, participants are invited to regard these encounters as if they were private conversations rather than public events.

Format

In this series, each meeting will focus on one issue. It will be briefly introduced by two members of the EUI community or visitors, each with a proposal relating to the issue, and followed by a general discussion.

The first meeting discussed answers to the question ‘What is the Next Step for the Social Protection of European Citizens?’
It will be introduced by Philippe Schmitter on ‘The Eurostipend’ and Martin Seeleib-Kaiser on ‘A European Minimum Income Scheme’. The discussion will be opened by Laura Seelkopf.

Organisers 

Brigid Laffan (EUI – Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and Global Governance Programme)

Prof. Philippe van Parijs (Robert Schuman Fellow and Université Catholique de Louvain)

Speakers

Prof. Philippe C. Schmitter

Prof. Martin Seeleib-Kaiser (University Tübingen)

Discussant

Laura Pamina Seelkopf (European University Institute)

Programme and Registration

Programme and registration for the event.