State of Europe 2015 – Addressing Europe’s crises

On October 22 there will be a high-level Roundtable for a discussion on Europe’s key challenges, including the refugee crisis, Eurozone woes and the end-year climate change conference.

Friends of Europe are delighted to announce the participation of His Majesty the King of the Belgians, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor; former Prime Ministers Carl Bildt and Mario Monti will also be attending.

Over the next few years, the European Union must implement a crash “emergency” programme of Europe-wide actions that addresses Europeans’ key concerns. The focus should move from austerity to sustainable growth-focused and job-creating policies. The EU must be competitive in a rapidly-globalising world. Citizens’ concerns about health or social and economic inequalities need to be tackled. Restoring Europe’s credibility and addressing global questions including immigration, security and climate change must also be priorities.

The annual roundtable offers a unique opportunity for a large-scale brainstorm by EU Commissioners, MEPs and MPs, ministers, opinion-formers, civil society and business leaders. Participants are encouraged to discuss these challenges outside their formal portfolios in order to help generate innovative solutions.

 

Smarter Europe – Catching up with the ‘Digital Era’

M.P. Marietje Schaake, ALDE Coordinator of the International Trade committee (INTA), Vice-President of the delegation for relations with the United States and a substitute member on the delegation with Iran, Member of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Commissioner on the Global Commission on Internet Governance and a WEF Young Global, will discuss ways to close the innovation gap with global competitors.

Is the best way to close the innovation gap with global competitors:

• By re-doubling existing EU-led stimuli like funding cross-border R&D?
• Through a wider long-term strategy spanning education to entrepreneurism?
• By ‘backing winners’ with subsidies and tax breaks at national and EU levels?

Chairs:

Toomas Hendrik Ilves / Estonian President

Marietje Schaake MEP / Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the United States

Introductory discussant: Amit Sood / Head of the Google Cultural Institute

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