What is European political engagement today?

October 21st, 2007by Noel Hatch

What is European political engagement today?

Why is it vital for young people throughout Europe to engage in European politics?

How can young activists throughout Europe collaborate?

To coincide with the launch of a new program of events and manifestations leading up to the London Festival of Europe 2008 and with the launch of the free European monthly journal Europa, European Alternatives calls a youth summit to discuss methods and means of European engagement, to promote student activism and youth collaboration.

This call is addressed to student activists and young Europeans throughout the UK, who will be joined by selected international invitees.

When? 3pm – 6pm, Saturday 3rd November 2007

Where? University College, London

Register by e-mailing editors@euroalter.com

Agenda of the summit

3 – 3.40: Introductory presentations; Niccolo Milanese and Lorenzo Marsili (European Alternatives) and Matteo Saccani (Terra del Fuoco, Turin)

3.40 – 5.30: Chaired Discussion; Themes:

The state of pro-Europeanism in the UK: future possibilities

An overview of the current situation in the UK, with reference both to the Reform Treaty and the prospect of a UK referendum, and, most importantly, the longer-term possibilities of European engagement in the UK.

What is the situation across the EU?

Brief 5-mins presentations from invited EU participants on the reality in their country followed by discussion

An overview of the overall situation across the Union. Again, both for what concerns “institutional” responses to the integration process, and “grassroots” sentiments towards the European ideal. How is “Europe” perceived in the different European countries? How is this different from the perception in the UK?

From the Europe of finance to the Europe of politics

Brief presentation by Lorenzo Marsili followed by discussion

So far European economic integration has amply preceded political integration, understood as both the pooling of national political decision-making and the creation of a truly active and pan-European citizenry. This has led to many complaints against the EU being a mere neoliberal inevitability or a seat of “technocratic” decision-making distant from its citizens. But what would it mean to invest Europe with political meaning, both at the institutional level and at that of grassroots political engagement?

How can we all collaborate?

Based on our discussion and one the personal and professional experiences of the invited participants, can we work on an initial joint initiative? The work regularly carried out by European Alternatives, and the monthly journal EUROPA, will here offer a possible seat of common involvement.

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