Open House on Europe Day. A conversation with Herman Van Rompuy, Henryka Mościcka-Dendys and Undine Ruge

Join us on 9 May at the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics for an open house reception to celebrate Europe Day, which this year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.

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Time:
3:30pm
Doors open

4:00pm
Conversation with Herman Van Rompuy together with Luuk van Middelaar

4:45pm
A forward-looking discussion on ‘Who Speaks for Europe’ with Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Dr. Henryka Mościcka-Dendys and Director-General European Policy at the Federal Chancellery Berlin, Dr. Undine Ruge

5:30pm
Reception and music by The Lascar String Quartet  

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Alongside an extended network of partners and friends, the Institute will welcome its newly appointed Advisory Council member and first full-time President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy (2009-14). 

In conversation with founding Director Luuk van Middelaar, it will be an opportunity to reflect on a distinguished career at the heart of European decision-making during the economic and foreign-policy shocks of the previous decade – as well as look forward to the lessons that can be drawn to confront today’s challenges.
  
During his time at the European Council, Van Rompuy helped steer 28 European leaders through the near-collapse of the euro, Russia’s invasion of Crimea and the run-up to the Brexit referendum.  His tenure also coincided with the dramatic fallout of the Arab Spring and the European Union being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which he accepted in Oslo alongside José Manuel Barroso and Martin Schulz. 

What lessons can Europe draw from these experiences as it confronts Russia’s aggression to the east and an increasingly hostile US to the west? Does Europe have what it takes to invent a new playbook? 

Joining van Middelaar for a second act to develop the theme of ‘Who Speaks for Europe’ will be Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Dr. Henryka Mościcka-Dendys and Director-General for European Policy and Europe Advisor (sherpa) to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dr. Undine Ruge. Who and which institution can embody the European narrative? Should Poland be Europe’s mouthpiece now that it holds the Council presidency?  Who will take Europe beyond the identity formed at its inception – one that now feels out-moded, based on a belief that war was a thing of the past and centred on Western Europe?  Can anyone lead a geopolitical Europe? 

Rounding off the evening, there will be a reception with music by The Lascar String Quartet at our premises at the Hôtel van Eetvelde, a Victor Horta Art Nouveau jewel well worth discovering in its own right. 

Celebrate Europe Day with the Brussels Institute of Geopolitics. 

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