HISTORY LESSON ABOUT FREEDOM
FREEDOM TODAY AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE
25 YEARS AFTER 1989

The Center for EU Enlargement Studies in cooperation with the Polish Institute and the Embassy of Poland in Budapest organizes on December 9, 2014, a roundtable discussion as part of the Polish Institute's “History lessons about freedom”,  a debate series initiated and supported by the Polish Institute and the Embassy of Poland in Budapest to mark the 25th anniversary of the democratic transformation in Central Eastern Europe. The roundtable provides a forum for young students and professionals to discuss what freedom means in today's Europe.

Program:
14.15  Preparatory brainstorming within Working Groups
15.00 Welcoming addresses
          Mr Roman Kowalski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland
          Mr Mykhailo Junger, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of Ukraine
          Ms Katarzyna Sitko, Director of the Polish Institute
15.15  Introductory remarks
          Mr Péter Balázs, Director of CENS
15.30  Presentation of Working Groups’ conclusions
16.00 Plenary debate
16.55  Closing remarks
17.00  Reception

Themes to be tackled by the working groups:

Working Group ONE: What does FREEDOM mean today for countries undergoing transition? Who are the agents of change? What is the role of youth and civil society?

Working Group TWO: Is Europe (the EU) still a pole of attraction? Is there a “EUROPEAN DREAM”? If yes, how does it look like for migrants knocking on Europe’s door and how is it perceived by Europeans? Could alternative, non-European models be tempting for European leaders of today or tomorrow? 

Working Group THREE: In light of current events in Ukraine, does the chance to unite the continent  remain realistic? Are new “WALLS” being raised?

The event is part of CEU's Frontiers of Democracy program.

Participation is upon invitation only.