International seminar discussing the idea of creating a federal Core Europe

Friday, 26th to Sunday, 28th of February | Frankfurt am Main, Germany

 

Immigration, global climate change, the regulation of the financial markets or the

social implications of the globalization – Europe is facing many issues that can’t be

dealt with effectively on the national level anymore. At the same time, the current

European Union in many policy areas is lacking the competences to address these

problems.

 

Furthermore, with the emergence of new powers like China and India, even large EU

member states are too small to play a significant role in international politics and to

represent their interests effectively. This is both true for matters, where Europe’s self-

interest is concerned, like for example energy security, as well as for broader issues

like international security or the ability to cope global challenges.

 

These circumstances, some argue, call for the creation of a European federal state.

But how realistic is it, that the EU will take such a resolute step in the years to come?

Among the 27 current member states, undeniably different opinions about the right

path for the European project as well as actual differences regarding their economic

power and their social and environmental standards exist. These differences have

increased greatly since the eastward enlargement and can be expected to increase

even further with upcoming enlargements. The process which in the end led to the

Lisbon Treaty spanned eight years, how much time would the much bigger step to the

foundation of a European Federation take?

 

Against this backdrop, the question arises, if the only way to realize a European

federal state in the near future might be the creation of a core Europe which stays

open for other EU member states to join the federation later on.

 

On the other hand, creating a core Europe might lead to a division between the new

entity and the remaining EU member states and cause the whole European project to

fail. Apart from that, is a federal core Europe with its own institutions existing side by

side with those of the EU – although appealing in theory – a realistic concept which

can be implemented in practice? And would a core consisting of just a few states be

able to tackle Europe-wide, let alone global problems in the first place?

 

These are some of the questions we would like to explore with you during our

international seminar in Frankfurt. Speakers include Prof. Giulia Rossolillo, Professor of

European Union Law at the University of Pavia, Sarah Seeger, research associate at

the Center for Applied Policy Research and Fidelius Schmid, EU Correspondent of the

Financial Times Deutschland. Visit Frankfurt, the city of the Euro, hear experts on

European topics from science, journalism as well as the UEF, meet young Europeans

from all across Europe and discuss with them your vision of the future of Europe!

 

Participation fee

The participation fee is 45 € and covers accommodation and all meals during the

seminar.

 

Travel reimbursements

70% of your actual travel costs (up to a maximum amount of 180 € for international

and 90 € for German participants) will be reimbursed by bank transfer if we receive

your original tickets no later than one month after the seminar.

 

Language

The seminar will be held in English.

 

Application procedure

If you would like to participate in the seminar, please send your application to JEF

Hessen (info@jef-hessen.de) or to Luca Lionello (lucalion99@hotmail.com).

 

Your E-Mail should include:

- Name

- Gender

- Birthday

- Nationality

- City

- JEF section (if applicable)

- Occupation or studies

- What's your motivation to participate in the seminar?

 

Deadline for applications

Applications have to be submitted until Wednesday, the 10th of February 2010 at the

very latest. We will contact you on the 12th of February 2010 by email to let you

know, if you have been accepted to the seminar.

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