At the end of March, 2004, scholars from across Europe and America joined politicians, students, officials and others to consider the importance of federalism in the new EU constitution and to evaluate the role federalism could play in the expanded European Union.
The setting of the sessions, a beautiful conference room within the parliament of a newly democratic country ready to enter the European Union, was highly symbolic and helped ensure that the topic was relevant.
On Friday, first day of the conference, welcoming speeches by Dr. Rob Fisher, Dr. Joe Drew, and Ashburn Institute president Bob Frantz were followed by moving speeches by Mirek Topolanek, elected senator and Vice-President of the Czech Senate about the future of the EU Constitution and by Dr. Jiøi Payne, former member of parliament, head of both Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees and Deputy Defense Minister about his role in the negotiations that led to the break-up of Czechoslovakia and the difficulties a federal system poses to the European Union.
Saturday's session began with a major speech by Dr. Maiken Umbach, and associate professor at the University of Manchester and at the Harvard University Center for European Studies. Her topic, "Federalism in Europe- History and Future Options", provided an intellectual basis for the rest of the discussions. Paper presentations and panels followed on various themes such as "Democracy and Security Issues", "Cultural Identity in the New Europe", "European Civil Society and Cooperation", and "Constitutional Law and the EU".
Throughout the conference, working sessions were punctuated with high level keynote speeches and international youth videoconferences. Dr. Marc Weiss, Chairman of the Board of the Prague Institute and renowned urban development specialist, gave a very well-received address on urban development in the world and in the new Europe. Two international videoconferences -one at graduate level, the other at high school level illustrated the importance of technology in promoting dialogue and understanding.
The papers given, speeches and comments they elicited as well as conference side-events resulted in a poignant and multi-disciplinary dialogue on the importance of federalism in Europe.
The conference on Redefining Europe was a complete success from beginning to end. Participants expressed their interest in organizing follow-up conference and in turning "Redefining Europe" into an annual event.
To download full copy of the Unite! in a .pdf format, click here. |
