The discussion rounds will take place via Zoom and is open to the public.


“Europeans have discovered that they are a more serious force than they previously thought”, the European Council on Foreign Relations argues in the face of the war in Ukraine. And yet, the combined crises of security, energy and finances also emphasizes different agendas and priorities, shifting power dynamics within the EU, as well as the open question of which role the EU might take within a changing world order.

We would like to discuss these issues with Rainer Wieland. Rainer Wieland has been member of the European Parliament (EP) since 1997 and is the Vice President for Infrastructure and Budget since 2009. In the three sessions of this series, he will discuss the role and function of the EP, the EU’s dealing with current crises and future scenarios of the shape and relevance of the EU.

Each session will be opened with input from scientists and students, followed by a reply by Rainer Wieland. Half of the session’s time is reserved for a discussion with the participating students and staff members to give you the possibility to introduce your positions and questions.

• Thursday, 01.12.2022, 15.30-17.00:
  THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
  Input by Prof. Dr. Simon Fink (Director of Studies EMJMD Euroculture, University of Göttingen)
  Chaired by Sophie Beernaerts (Head of Department, Erasmus+, EU Solidarity Corps, European Education and Culture Executive Agency, European Commission)
  
  In the first part of our series on “The Future EU”, we will be devoted to gauging the role of the European Parliament in the decision-making process of the EU. The questions discussed will include: The parliament is co-legislator spread over three workplaces, using 24 official languages. How is it to work in the European Parliament? How does the EP act as co-legislator next to the Commission? How do Members of Parliament keep contact with citizens? Is there a trade-off between democratic legitimacy and efficiency? Which prospects of a reform do the discussants see?


• Thursday, 15.12.2022, 15.30-17.00:
  THE AGENDA FOR THE FUTURE
  
  Input by:
  
  • - Laura de Boer (Euroculture student, Uppsala / Olomouc, and editor, The Euroculturer)
  • - Dr. Eric Pardo (Lecturer, International Relations) and Dr. Steffen Bay Rasmussen (Director of Studies EMJMD Euroculture, University of Deusto)
  • - Dr. Sabine Selchow (Senior Research Fellow, European University Institute (EUI), Florence)

  
  Chaired by Franco Burgio (Project Officer, European Commission, European Education and Culture Executive Agency) and Dr. Lars Klein (Senior Lecturer, EMJMD Euroculture, University of Göttingen)



The European Commission has started a range of new programmes in order to tackle challenges such as climate change, digitalization, security in the widest sense with ‘strategic autonomy’ as new buzzword.
The War in Ukraine has the further potential to provide for real paradigm shifts. It opens a range of questions that will be discussed in this second session: What will happen with the “Fit for 55” programme? How will it change transportation in the EU? How do the member states want to provide for their energy security? How do they see the role of the EU in terms of Foreign and Security Policy? Does the EU update rules for ‘good governance’ for energy supplies as well? Should the Ukraine be ‘fast-tracked’ to become candidate and potential new member state? If so, does it change the rules of the EU?






• CANCELLED! Monday, 19.12.2022, 15.30-17.00
  Due to an illness of host and speaker Prof. Asderaki, this meeting had to be cancelled.
  BEYOND THE CRISIS MODE? THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
  
  Input by
  
  • - Prof. Dr. Foteini Asderaki (Jean Monnet Chair, International and European Studies), and
  • - Prof. Dr. Petros Liakouras (Director, Msc in International and European Studies), and
    
  • - Prof. Dr. Aristotle Tziampiris (Chair, International and European Studies), University of Piraeus

  
  
  The EU seems to be in a permanent crisis-mode. It struggled over its constitution, had to find its way to cope with the economic and financial crisis, the “summer of migration” in 2015, Brexit or the Covid-pandemic. The war in Ukraine is currently again challenging roles and perceptions of the EU.
  This third session will discuss scenarios for the future of the European institutions. What is the future role and position of the EU? How do European institutions reshuffle in order to be able to meet upcoming challenges? What will the “Conference on Europe” bring? Which role can it play for its citizens and as institution in global politics?



The series is organized by Lars Klein and Franco Burgio.