A Soul for Europe Conference 2017
Preparatory Material
Find links to relevant contributions from our online debate for each workshop and read Volker Hassemer’s introduction here.
Have a look at Elmar Brok’s article ‘It is time for European citizens to take ownership of the European Union’ that serves as preparatory material for all workshops or find Collected Key Statements from the Online Debate, that provides a summary of the whole online-debate.
A Soul for Europe Conference 2017: Preparatory Material
Find links to relevant contributions from our online debate for each workshop and read Volker Hassemer’s introduction here.
Have a look at Elmar Brok’s article ‘It is time for European citizens to take ownership of the European Union’ that serves as preparatory material for all workshops or find Collected Key Statements from the Online Debate, that provides a summary of the whole online-debate.
Topic 2: Europe from the Bottom-Up
11:00
– 12:30
Studio B
#DialogueOnEurope – New Ideas for Migration Policy
Organisation: Das Progressive Zentrum
Format: Working groups
Active participants: Joachim Zeller, MdEP; Satu Kuitunen, Forum Aberdeen
Host: Maria Skóra, Senior Projektmanagerin Das Progressive Zentrum
Increased migration influx to Europe is a hot topic for politicians, journalists and experts, but so far, few satisfying solutions have found both effectively help refugees and to prevent fears of the unknown that propel the populist tide. You know how to strengthen European dimension of local governance? You have ideas for better migration and integration policy? You want to support European integrity? Join our workshop and share your thoughts for building Europe bottom-up!
Preparatory material:
Topic 2: Europe from the Bottom-Up
11:00 – 12:30 | Studio B
#DialogueOnEurope – New Ideas for Migration Policy
Organisation: Das Progressive Zentrum
Format: Working groups
Active participants: Joachim Zeller, MdEP; Satu Kuitunen, Forum Aberdeen
Host: Maria Skóra, Senior Projektmanagerin Das Progressive Zentrum
Increased migration influx to Europe is a hot topic for politicians, journalists and experts, but so far, few satisfying solutions have found both effectively help refugees and to prevent fears of the unknown that propel the populist tide. You know how to strengthen European dimension of local governance? You have ideas for better migration and integration policy? You want to support European integrity? Join our workshop and share your thoughts for building Europe bottom-up!
Preparatory material:
Maria Skóra, Das Progressive Zentrum: Assuming citizens’ responsibility
- Crises can become catalysts for mobilizing citizens for self-help and solidarity.
- Europe needs strong social engagement to enhance civil participation in reforming the European project.
- There is a good chance that including the citizens in the policy-making process will improve its transparency and rebuild trust in the policy makers’ intentions.
Sabine Verheyen: European Reinvention through culture and active citizenship
- It is crucial, to further develop and reinvent our Union to make it a success story that lasts, taking every single citizen and city with us on this journey.
- An element that is often forgotten in the debate is that EU citizens as well as local and regional communities are the foundation of the European Union.
- Democracy cannot be “consumed” from home. It is not a one way street.
Sir Graham Watson: A New Congress of Europe
- The people of Europe would be happier if they knew what the final destination was likely to be. And perhaps we need a new Congress of Europe to decide that
Satu Kuitunen: “My Culture, Your Politics” Introduction, Self-Reflection and Questions
- (…) there are many who feel like the EU has not had any influence on their lives and how could it? This is not necessarily a fact but these are feelings, which matter. Why should, say, a Spanish Commissioner know exactly what matters most in Finland or does a Luxembourgian leader really care about what matters to people in East Midlands?
- Are there conditions for shared European culture to exist within EU/Europe where there is a great multiplicity of cultures and identities?
Rasmus Udde: Europe — a concept filled with opportunities
- What is Europe to someone who did not have the privilege to choose where to study and someone who is one specific location bound for one reason or another?
- Thus, I truly believe that I must assume responsibility for Europe. However, this is not enough. Because if people like me assume responsibility for Europe from an early age, we will purely shape Europe the way we see fit, through our eyes.
- Can Europe-wide education help bridge the gap between people and our culture?
Maria Skóra, Das Progressive Zentrum: Assuming citizens’ responsibility
- Crises can become catalysts for mobilizing citizens for self-help and solidarity.
- Europe needs strong social engagement to enhance civil participation in reforming the European project.
- There is a good chance that including the citizens in the policy-making process will improve its transparency and rebuild trust in the policy makers’ intentions.
Sabine Verheyen: European Reinvention through culture and active citizenship
- It is crucial, to further develop and reinvent our Union to make it a success story that lasts, taking every single citizen and city with us on this journey.
- An element that is often forgotten in the debate is that EU citizens as well as local and regional communities are the foundation of the European Union.
- Democracy cannot be “consumed” from home. It is not a one way street.
Sir Graham Watson: A New Congress of Europe
- The people of Europe would be happier if they knew what the final destination was likely to be. And perhaps we need a new Congress of Europe to decide that
Satu Kuitunen: “My Culture, Your Politics” Introduction, Self-Reflection and Questions
- (…) there are many who feel like the EU has not had any influence on their lives and how could it? This is not necessarily a fact but these are feelings, which matter. Why should, say, a Spanish Commissioner know exactly what matters most in Finland or does a Luxembourgian leader really care about what matters to people in East Midlands?
- Are there conditions for shared European culture to exist within EU/Europe where there is a great multiplicity of cultures and identities?
Rasmus Udde: Europe — a concept filled with opportunities
- What is Europe to someone who did not have the privilege to choose where to study and someone who is one specific location bound for one reason or another?
- Thus, I truly believe that I must assume responsibility for Europe. However, this is not enough. Because if people like me assume responsibility for Europe from an early age, we will purely shape Europe the way we see fit, through our eyes.
- Can Europe-wide education help bridge the gap between people and our culture?