WHAT IS THIS THREE DAY SESSION ABOUT?
Building on our inspiring last session, the group «Passion for Europe» will organize a
second 2-day session of dialogue and encounter at the Spiritual Centre “La Pairelle” to share
the Christian vision of Europe’s current situation and the long-term global challenges.
Our world has entered a time of uncertainty. Many distrust everything except traditional formulae
of independent nationhood, while others are convinced that the nation on its own cannot meet
the challenges which lie ahead. This difference is itself a challenge. The growing interdependence of
peoples depends on trust. This calls for respect for differing histories and, in particular, differing
experience of oppression. Respect for difference, however, cannot be enough. A vision of Europe
as trustee of the universal common good has much to offer. Its mission is to be both an example
and an advocate of this reality and part of that mission has always been an overcoming of its own
divisions, both between nations and within nations. They result partly from economic and social
inequality, arising from differing historical perspectives and from a growing distrust in
government in a complex technological world. Addressing these internal divisions
will help us overcome the harmful side effects of globalization and resolve disagreements
on how to deal with climate change, which affects people’s lives far beyond Europe.
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To Europe we can put the questions:
“Where is your vigour? Where is that idealism which inspired and ennobled your history?
Where is your spirit of curiosity and enterprise?
Where is your thirst for truth, a thirst which hitherto you have passionately shared with the world?”
Pope Francis, Nov 25, 2014, Council of Europe
second 2-day session of dialogue and encounter at the Spiritual Centre “La Pairelle” to share
the Christian vision of Europe’s current situation and the long-term global challenges.
Our world has entered a time of uncertainty. Many distrust everything except traditional formulae
of independent nationhood, while others are convinced that the nation on its own cannot meet
the challenges which lie ahead. This difference is itself a challenge. The growing interdependence of
peoples depends on trust. This calls for respect for differing histories and, in particular, differing
experience of oppression. Respect for difference, however, cannot be enough. A vision of Europe
as trustee of the universal common good has much to offer. Its mission is to be both an example
and an advocate of this reality and part of that mission has always been an overcoming of its own
divisions, both between nations and within nations. They result partly from economic and social
inequality, arising from differing historical perspectives and from a growing distrust in
government in a complex technological world. Addressing these internal divisions
will help us overcome the harmful side effects of globalization and resolve disagreements
on how to deal with climate change, which affects people’s lives far beyond Europe.
* * * * *
To Europe we can put the questions:
“Where is your vigour? Where is that idealism which inspired and ennobled your history?
Where is your spirit of curiosity and enterprise?
Where is your thirst for truth, a thirst which hitherto you have passionately shared with the world?”
Pope Francis, Nov 25, 2014, Council of Europe
In preparation for the session, we kindly invite you to study the texts
found in our readings reference list, available below
found in our readings reference list, available below
The Speakers & Moderators
Klaus BuchnerIn 1941 Prof. Dr. Dr. habil. Klaus Buchner was born in Munich. From 1960 to 1965 he studied physics in Munich under Werner Heisenberg and in Edinburgh (Scotland) with Prof. Higgs. After his studies, he became a research assistant at the Max-Planck-Institute for Physics in Munich and worked several times in the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva (Switzerland).
He received his PhD in experimental physics in 1970 and spent the following years as a visiting researcher in Japan with Prof. Yukawa (who discovered the nuclear force) and India. After he returned to Germany, Prof. Klaus Buchner became first an assistant professor and later a professor at the Technical University of Munich. He stayed in that position till his retirement in 2006. Furthermore, he was the chairman of the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP) for eight years. Since 2014 Prof. Klaus Buchner represents his party as a Member of the European Parliament. |
Victoria Martín de la TorreVictoria Martín de la Torre is a Spanish journalist working as Spokesperson of the S&D Group President in the European Parliament. Before arriving in Brussels, she worked as a reporter at the weekly magazine Tiempo for over a decade, covering EU-Arab World relations. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1998 and she got a MS degree at Columbia University School of Journalism (New York) in 1999. In 2003, she specialized in EU Foreign Policy at the College of Europe (Bruges). She is the author of two books: “Viaje a la ciudad de Belén. Cuna del amor, semilla de intifada” (A trip to Bethlehem, cradle of love, seed of intifada) published in 2008 and “Europe, a Leap into the Unknown”, published in 2014. She is also the founder and president of the Abraham Forum for Inter-Religious and Intercultural Dialogue in Madrid, which was launched in 2009.
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Pierre DefraigneEconomist (ULg, UCL, Harvard), Pierre Defraigne was a European civil servant from 1970 to 2005. He retired as Deputy Director-General in DG Trade in March 2005, after having been Head of Cabinet for Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade (1999-2002). Previously, he was Director for North-South Relations, and Head of Cabinet for Etienne Davignon, Vice-President of the European Commission (1977-1983). He has set up the Brussels branch of the French Institute for International Relations (Eur-Ifri), which he managed from 2005 to 2008. Pierre Defraigne is currently the Executive Director of the Madariaga – College of Europe Centre since 2008.
Pierre Defraigne is a visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges and at Sciences Po Paris (Paris School of International Affairs). Pierre Defraigne regularly publishes on EU-China relations, eurozone governance and macroeconomic issues through the Centre’s Madariaga Papers. He also frequently publishes articles in numerous newspapers and journals and is invited to speak at conferences as well as interviewed by television and radio stations. |
Patrick DebucquoisPatrick Debucquois is Administrator at the University of Namur, a member of the Legal Affairs Commission of Caritas Internationalis, the treasurer of Caritas Europa, President of the European Committee of Associations of General Interest, and more. He served as Deputy Director at Caritas International Belgium from December 2014 to November 2018. He has produced several publications on the topics of social services like health and childcare, and on the concept of citizenship and on European civil dialogue and its role in relations to the institutions.
He holds a Master’s degree in Economics with distinctions from the Catholic University of Louvain, as well as Bachelor’s degrees in Law and philosophy from the same institution |
Eleonora VitaleEleonora Vitale is JESC’s Executive Assistant to Director. She works as a bridge between different focus areas, providing support to team members by handling a tasks of management and content. Eleonora holds a bachelor degree in International and Diplomatic Science from Università degli Studi di Trieste, and holds a Double Degree Master’s in International politics and Economic Relations from the University of Macerata and in International Public and Business Administration from MGIMO University, Moscow.
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Henning vom SteinHenning vom Stein, executive partner at Otone European Affairs, has over 25 years of experience in public affairs and in research, including positions such as Director of the European office of VDMA (2004 - 2005), Head of the Brussels office and group representative Benelux for Thyssenkrupp AG (2005 - 2010), and Head of the liaison office to the European Union for COmmerzbank AZ (2010 - 2012).
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Jean PeyronyJean Peyrony is director general of the Mission opérationnelle transfrontalière (Cross-Border Operational Mission — MOT) in Paris. His previous positions include: expert seconded by France to the European Commission (DG Regional and Urban Policy); head of mission in the Interministerial Delegation for Territorial Planning and Regional Attractiveness (DATAR), for territorial cooperation and cohesion policy-making 2007/2013; head of the regional observatory group in the Regional Office of Infrastructure of Île-de-France, where he was involved in formulating the 1994 master plan, and project manager for urban planning operations in Île-de-France and Réunion.
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Edmond Grace Edmond Grace SJ is JESC’s Secretary for Justice and Ecology, a role involving training, editorial and research work on integral ecology and the promotion of justice. He studied law in Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University. He has lectured on law and political theory and has been Director of PeopleTalk since its inception. He is a member of Ireland’s National Dialogue on Climate Action and on the organising team of Faith & Politics.
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Gyula Ocskay Gyula Ocskay has been working for Budapest-based CESCI (Central European Servicefor Cross-Border Cooperation) since its foundation in 2009 as secretary general. Previously, he was involved in cross-border development in Esztergom and lectured on political philosophy and political sciences at the Pázmány Péter Catholic University. He wrote his first essay on cross-border regionalism in 1992. Since then he has been dealing with regional issues and social and political theory of space. In 2013 he was awarded by Pálfi István award together with Luc Van den Brande for their work in cross-border issues
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Botond Feledy Mr. Botond Feledy is currently serving as the Secretary for Leadership at JESC, in particular, managing the European Leadership Programme. He worked in the Hungarian province of the Jesuits as rector of St Ignatius College, later as director of the Institute for Social Reflection. In 2017 he was elected as member of the #NewEurope100 .
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Peter Rožič Peter Rožič SJ has been JESC's director since September 17, 2017. He also acts as Social Apostolate Delegate for the Conference of European Provincials. A Slovenian national, Fr. Rožič holds a PhD in Political Science from Georgetown University. Before arriving in Brussels, he was an assistant professor at the University of Ljubljana and rector of the Residential College in Maribor.
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Organizers
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JESC - Jesuit European Social Centre
Our core mission at JESC is to reflect on the life, policies and practice of the European Union. We seek engagement which authentically expresses Christian faith, remains close to the poor and marginalised, analyses the social reality with competence, and advocates for justice in European political structures. In a context in which the EU is undergoing the most acute political and economic crisis of its existence, JESC seeks a critical but constructive engagement with the EU.
As a work of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, JESC expresses the commitment of the Society of Jesus to a Europe where human rights, freedom, and solidarity are the foundation of integration.
“Passion for Europe”
A group of Christians of different nationalities and confessions involved in EU activities,
was formed as a place to exchange on Europe’s future,
based on Pope Francis vision for Europe and the Social Teaching of the Church.
Our core mission at JESC is to reflect on the life, policies and practice of the European Union. We seek engagement which authentically expresses Christian faith, remains close to the poor and marginalised, analyses the social reality with competence, and advocates for justice in European political structures. In a context in which the EU is undergoing the most acute political and economic crisis of its existence, JESC seeks a critical but constructive engagement with the EU.
As a work of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, JESC expresses the commitment of the Society of Jesus to a Europe where human rights, freedom, and solidarity are the foundation of integration.
“Passion for Europe”
A group of Christians of different nationalities and confessions involved in EU activities,
was formed as a place to exchange on Europe’s future,
based on Pope Francis vision for Europe and the Social Teaching of the Church.
