European Symposium of Cork : "Europe as an International Power"
- On: 08.10.2008
- In: University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
agenda
October 8th, 2008
Practical
University College Cork, Ireland
The Alliance française de Cork organises in Ireland, on October 8, 2008, a European Symposium on the theme "Europe as an International Power".
This great event will take place within the prestigious confines of the University College Cork (UCC). Following the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referundum in Ireland, this Symposium is an unique opportunity to relaunch serenely the debate on Europe in this country. This event will carry on the continuous and always more necessary debate about the project, from which European peoples have chosen to shape a common future.
Trough this Symposium, the Alliance française de Cork, which is eager to bring together peoples of Europe, would like make stronger the discussion between cultures. Irish people, but also all individuals committed in Europe, are invited to take part in debates.
Great speakers, who come from various geographical and professional horizons, will be present in Cork to discuss with the attendance new priorities of the French Presidency of the European Union as topical challenges for Europe.
The inaugural panel will be addressed by Laurent COHEN-TANUGI, who was also chair of the French 'Europe and Globalisation' mission. Thierry CHOPIN, Research Director of the Fondation Robert Schuman, Philippe HERZOG, President of the Association Confrontations Europe and Elvire FABRY, Director Europe International of the Fondation pour l'Innovation Politique, will take part in the debates about strengths and weaknesses of Europe in the globalized economy.
During this panel, it will be espacially discussed European Union's economic grounds and Lisbon strategy's necessary modernisation, so as to make Europe more competitive in the future. In this respect, Mr. COHEN-TANUGI's report draws a new European strategy for the period 2010-2015 entitled Euroworld 2015. It emphasises on the one hand the necessity for European states to go on undertaken stress concerning research and development and on the other hand the advantages of a development of common foreign policies in strategic fields as energy, climate, and migrations. Such proposals aim at making Europe in a favourable position, allowing it to have a great impact on the globalization's process.
The second panel, entitled "What borders for the European Union? : the enlargment issue and the Mediteranean Union", will be addressed by Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA, former President of the Republic of Latvia and Vice-preseident of the "Reflection Group on the future of the European Union" until 2020-2030.
Some European and international specialists will convey a plural vision of the European Union. In this respect, a Polish MEP, might recall the historical sense of the enlargement of the European Union in Eastern European countries whereas Mohammed ABBOU, Member of the Algerian Constitutional Council and former Minister for Culture will underline the narrowness of relations between his country and Europe, as well as the great meaning of a Mediteranean Union.
The third panel, entitled "The Lisbon Treaty: Can the European Union be an International Power without renovated institutions?" will be addressed by Micheál MARTIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ireland. Micheál MARTIN will come back on the current issue of the EU's institutional reform. Dr
Viscount Etienne DAVIGNON, our Guest of honour for this Symposium, who is also Minister of State, former Vice-President of the European Commission, and Chairman of the powerful Bilderberg Group will make an one-hour address on the thematic of this Symposium "Europe as an International Power".
The fourth and final panel will be addressed by Renaud DONNEDIEU de VABRES, Ambassador for the Cultural dimension of the French presidency of the European Union, Former Minister of Culture and Communication, Former Minister Delegate for European affairs. Odile QUINTIN, Director Generol of the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission, will carry on this debate on "The European cultural influence in the world".
Following in its tradition of intercultural dialogue's promotion, the Alliance française of Cork closes this second European Symposium with a plea in favour of a relaunch of the European project through the culture. Since Europe needs to be united to become a real power and to be in capacity to have an effect on our collective fate, since a united Europe rests on the recognition of the other, with his similarities and differences, it's essential to form standing and rich relations between European peoples.
Renaud DONNEDIEU de VABRES will speak to us about the European Cultural Season, from which he's the Ambassador. This is indeed an original initiative from France which will contribute to make closer European cultures.
Odile QUINTIN will expose the initiative of the European Commission to make 2008 The "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" that should contribute to "promote the dialogue between all cultures and belongings and between all generations".
- Updated: 26.09.2008
