Upcoming third big multinational event “EU Future” in Slovakia

The third big multinational event “EU Future” in Slovakia will be organized online on 23. and 24. May 2022.

The main event theme of the big event in Slovakia is the future of EU and the challenges of Euroscepticism, particularly in the partner countries. This event will focus on the on different types of Euroscepticism which are present in the partner countries and wider EU. The strategies to combat Euroscepticism and the reason for Euroscepticism increases. We will also address the future of EU and the challenges which are going to face the state of EU in the next decade. The EU is largely viewed as a cornerstone of European stability and prosperity. For much of the last decades, however, many EU countries have faced considerable economic difficulties. Despite an improved economic situation in the EU since 2017, economic pressures and societal changes have contributed to the rise of populist and anti-establishment political parties, at least some of which harbour anti-EU or “Eurosceptic” sentiments. Such trends have complicated the EU’s ability to deal with multiple internal and external challenges. Among the most prominent challenges are

– COVID 19 pandemic challenges;

– climate challenge challenges;

– democracy and rule-of-law concerns in some EU members;

– the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU (“Brexit”);

– migration and related societal integration concerns;

Amid these difficult issues, some are questioning the future shape and character of the EU. Supporters of the EU worry that certain aspects of EU integration could be stopped or reversed. Others contend that the multiple crises could produce some beneficial reforms and ultimately transform the EU into a more effective, cohesive entity.

One of the biggest challenges, which is facing the future of the EU, is certainly Euroscepticism. In the aftermath of a decade of crisis, the 2019 European Parliament elections confirmed the results of the 2014 elections as voters turned away from the traditional political families to vote for parties with a strong message on Europe, including Eurosceptic parties. It further evidenced the normalization of Euroscepticism, which has become a stable component of European politics.

EVENT AGENDA

ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL-EUROPEAN TIME (Paris, Brussels, Madrid, Podgorica, Warsaw, Ljubljana, Budapest)

Date and Time

Program

                                              Day 1: 23 May, 2022

9.30 – 9.45

Registration and technical assistance

9.45 – 9.55

Welcome, short presentation of the project and the event

–        Simon Wltavsky, Institute TREND-PRIMA, Maribor

 

Introductory speech:

9.55 – 10.15

State of EU in regards to Euroscepticism and the EU future

–        Simon Wltavsky, Institute TREND-PRIMA, Maribor

 

PANEL I –  Tackling Euroscepticism via teaching, campaigning and projects

10.15 – 11.40

Youth Participation – funding opportunities for your future campaign

Katja Lenic Salamun, Verein InterAktion

Teaching civics to build active (euro)citizenship skills: Experience from elementary and high schools around Slovakia.

Jana Feherpataky Kuzmová, Institute for Active Citizenship

State of Euroscepticism in the EU and particularly in the project partner countries, combating Euroscepticism with the EU projects

Franja Bučar, DRPDNM

11.40 – 13.00

Lunch Break

 

Keynote speech

13.00 – 14.00

Euroscepticism, membership in the EU and public opinion – research results for CEE region

–        Miroslava Sawiris, Globsec, Government Office of the Slovak Republic

                                              Day 2: 24 May, 2022

10.00 – 10:15

Registration, technical assistance and welcome

 

PANEL II – Belonging to the European Union

10.15 – 11.30

Historical Evolution of the pro-Russian attitude in the Czech lands

–        Pavel Vitek, ICM Jindrichuv Hradec

Selective Euroscepticism: how Slovakia strongly opposed EU immigration policies while reaffirming its belongingess to the EU.

–        Clarissa Tabosa, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences – Comenius University in Bratislava

11.30 – 12.30

Lunch Break

 

PANEL III – Looking out to the future of the European Union

12.30 – 14.00

It´s a shame (to be a European). Is it?

–        Erich Mistrík, Faculty of Education – Comenius University in Bratislava

Future of the EU and Hungary, main challenges of the upcoming years

–        Máté Deák, Municipality Sopronkövesd

The Future of EU, Euroscepticism and the Importance of European Citizenship Education

–        Iva Sedlic, Europe House Slavonski Brod 

For more information about the event and the participation please contact us under:

[email protected]