European democracy in a time of confusion

SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2022 NAMUR,
SPIRITUAL CENTRE "LA PAIRELLE"​
  Passion for Europe Workshop
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Topic of the session
To overcome the violent crisis in Europe democracy had to cross frontiers. For eighty years now European democracy has developed, strengthened and stayed strong to a multitude of crisis scenarios. Unbelievably today war is back on the continent and a global pandemic still holds grip on societies and their economies alike. In an environment of fading trust in democratic institutions, new technological developments not only bring new opportunities but also carry risks that weaken the foundations of our modern society in the EU today characterised by diversity. 

Misuse of private data, disinformation or even governance by artificial intelligence drive a wedge between the private and the public sphere leading to disintegration in a time humanity needs to integrate given the tremendous global challenges ahead. Disinformation being the most perfidious attack on the central pillars of democracy, trust and transparency. In this time of confusion we need to reinforce our dialogues and to engage in our values. 


The event was made up of sessions in which leading experts in the field of European policy gave presentations to the general audience, and then engaged in debates with other panellists and the public. Additionally, participants were divided into small groups, in which they were able to delve deeper into the topics being discussed. Each group summarised its main conclusions in a document; and then all the groups’ conclusions were consolidated into one overarching text. 

The Passion for Europe event was a unique opportunity for participants to look at Europe with some perspective, to reflect on its challenges and opportunities, on what it means to each of us, to listen to others with openness and respect, and to practice the complex but necessary art of dialogue.

Speakers and moderators
Speakers (by order of intervention):
  • Herman van Rompuy, former President of the European Council
  • Sébastien Maillard, Director of the Institut Jacques Delors
  • Victoria Martin de la Torre, Press officer of the S&D Group in the European Parliament and author of the book “Europe, a Leap into the Unknown: A Journey Back in Time to Meet the Founders of the European Union”
  • Clemens Ladenburger, Deputy Director-General of the EU Commission’s legal Department
  • Sigrid Marz, Board member of the “Union Internationale Chrétienne des Dirigeants d'Entreprise – UNIAPAC”
  • Paul F. Nemitz, Principal Advisor in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission
  • Fr Paolo Benanti T.O.R., Professor of Moral Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University​
  • Jamina Jugo, ELP fellow, PhD Cand. in Political Science at the University of Goettingen
  • Msrg. Franco Coppola, Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg
  • Andreas Kolodziejak, Economist at the European Commission
  • Gyula Ocskay, General Secretary, CESCI (Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives) 
  • Marie-France Rodier, Policy officer at European Commission, in representation of the Common Secretariat of the “Conference on the Future of Europe”

Moderators (by order of intervention):
  • Marie de Saint Chéron, European and Multilateral Affairs Director at Safran
  • Andreas Kolodziejak, Economist at the European Commission
  • Olivier de Boysson, Chief economist emerging countries at Societe Generale
  • Henning vom Stein, Director of the Otone European Affairs Brussels
  • Jean Peyrony, General Director, Transfrontier Operational Mission

Documents

Report of the weekend available for download :

Speech by Mr Herman Van Rompuy :
2022_pfe_report.pdf
File Size: 188 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2022_herman_van_rompuy_speech.pdf
File Size: 147 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Online Conference - June 1st, 2022, in preparation for La Pairelle 2022

SPEAKERS
Tinneke Beeckman  political philosopher, columnist and
writer

Paul F. Nemitz Principal Advisor in the Directorate-General
for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission

Fr Paolo Benanti professor of Moral Theology at the
Pontifical Gregorian University
​
MODERATOR
Henning vom Stein Director of the Otone European Affairs
Brussels

Programme
​Friday, 16th September 2022

Opening session - The struggle between truth and violence

Herman van Rompuy, former President of the European Council

Followed by a debate moderated by Marie de Saint Chéron, European and Multilateral Affairs Director at Safran

Session 1 - The EU through the storms: the assets of roots and values
 
Andreas Kolodziejak, Economist at the European Commission  - moderator
Sébastien Maillard, Director of the Institut Jacques Delors
Victoria Martin de la Torre, Press officer of the S&D Group in the European Parliament and author of the book “Europe, a Leap into the Unknown: A Journey Back in Time to Meet the Founders of the European Union”
 
Evening - Social networking at the library’s bar
​SATURDAY, 17th September 2022

Session 2 - Contemporary society: growing isolation, fading values, tensions in democracies

Olivier de Boysson, Chief economist emerging countries at Societe Generale - moderator
​Clemens Ladenburger, Deputy Director-General of the EU Commission’s legal Department
Sigrid Marz, Board member of the “Union Internationale Chrétienne des Dirigeants d'Entreprise – UNIAPAC”
 
Session 3 - Opportunities and risks of digital technologies in th search for truth and disinformation

Henning vom Stein, Director of the Otone European Affairs Brussels - moderator
Paul F. Nemitz, Principal Advisor in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission
Fr Paolo Benanti T.O.R., Professor of Moral Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University​
Jamina Jugo, ELP fellow, PhD Cand. in Political Science at the University of Goettingen

Session 4 - A vision of the Catholic Church on the challenges of Europe

Msrg. Franco Coppola, Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg
 
Evening - Piano concert by Maxence Pilchen
​SUNDAY, 18th September 2022

Session 5 - Strenghtening EU democracy: cross-border institutions, citizens' participation, transnational electoral lists, etc.

Jean Peyrony, General Director, Transfrontier Operational Mission - moderator
Andreas Kolodziejak, Economist at the European Commission
Gyula Ocskay, General Secretary, CESCI (Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives)  
Marie-France Rodier, Policy officer at European Commission, in representation of the Common Secretariat of the “Conference on the Future of Europe”
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Jesuit European Social Centre
Chaussee de Wavre 205 - 1050, Bruxelles
Tel: +32 (0)4 653 899 34
Email: [email protected]
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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
  • Programme
  • Register
  • Previous editions
    • 2023 Edition >
      • 2023 Programme
      • 2023 Photos
    • 2022 Edition >
      • 2022 Programme
      • 2022 Photos
    • 2021 Edition >
      • 2021 Programme
      • 2021 Photos
    • 2019 Edition >
      • 2019 Programme
      • 2019 Photos
    • 2018 Edition
  • Contact - Access