Via della Badia dei Roccettini
9, 50014 Fiesole FI
Italy
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 fourth and last meeting in this series of Conversations for the Future of Europe will try to sketch the contours of a good Brexit — or perhaps the best contours of a bad Brexit. The introduction by James Dennison will start from a set of desiderata and outline the Brexit deal that would best satisfy them, while Brigid Laffan will focus on what would be the best possible solution for the Irish aspect of the future relations between the EU and the UK. The discussion will be opened by Tim Oliver.
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
Brigid Laffan (EUI – Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and Global Governance Programme)
James Dennison (European University Institute)
Discussant
Tim Oliver (European University Institute)