Community MeetEU & Greet on Discord

After having a top speaker with us last week, we’re using this week’s Tuesday for an informal community get-together to discuss one of the most important topics in life: food. So don’t forget your favourite local recipe!

Join us on Discord, our Community platform, and chat with some of the over 700 members from all corners of the continent.

A Long Way to European History

In Brussels, you’ll find the House of European History. Just another museum? Definitely not. It’s a space for exploration and discussion about Europe’s past. Why? Because European history isn’t one single story, but a collection of different perspectives on the past. How can we address these differing views? How do different stories become one? And how do visitors respond to the facts presented there? Constanze Itzel, Director of the House of European History, will offer a behind-the-scenes look at her work.

Vacation – Summer for MeetEU

Dear friends,

Thank you for this fantastic year 2023/2024. Together with you, we connected Europeans from all across the continent to meet digitally and in person. We directly engaged with decision-makers and managed to cross political, generational and linguistic borders. Let’s continue this during the next season!

~The MeetEU Team

Is Climate Change Making Us Sick?

When it comes to climate change, most people think of rising sea levels, but few consider its impact on their health. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has investigated the health risks associated with a warming atmosphere. Some are obvious, such as more frequent and severe floods, heatwaves, and forest fires, but they also include rising infections and significant mental health issues.

Hans-Martin Fuessel, climate change risks and adaptation expert at the EEA, explains the future challenges we must prepare for and actions we can take to safeguard our well-being.

Young and European: A Bright Future Ahead?

Join us for a discussion on youth commitment in Europe. Discover how young people like you are getting involved and making a difference. Learn about various programs, including ERASMUS+, that offer amazing opportunities for students and young professionals. Find out how the EU supports your passions and future plans. Learn who benefits from ERASMUS+ and how more young people without a college degree could be encouraged to take advantage of its programs.

How NextGenerationEU is changing Europe’s future

July 2024 marks the four-year anniversary of the Council’s agreement on ‘NextGenerationEU’, an unprecedented €750 billion plan designed to help countries recover from the pandemic and build a better future for the next European generation. Over these four years, how much progress has been made, and what challenges still lie ahead?

Maria Teresa Fabregas Fernandez, a director on the task force responsible for implementing the NextGenerationEU recovery plan, will share insights into their ongoing work and achievements.

We’re on Break!

But don’t worry; we still work on exciting events for you. Check out our website in the coming days for more exciting opportunities.

Hey Europe – The World Is Better than You Think

War, climate change, and political crises – Europe is unsettled. This is also the fault of many media outlets that only ever see the bad and look for culprits and sensationalism instead of solutions. “The Scary World Syndrome” can drive people into learned helplessness or into the arms of demagogues. Constructive journalism does things differently and asks, “How can we go on?”

Perspective Daily has been bringing constructive journalism to Germany for 7 years. Author Dirk Walbrühl explains how this new type of journalism works, the challenges involved, and how a change of perspective can strengthen our democracy.

Can you achieve the 1.5°C goal? A Climate Policy Simulation

What if you were the world leader tasked with solving the climate crisis? Test your ideas in the En-ROADS climate simulation workshop. Propose solutions like energy efficiency, carbon pricing, fossil fuel taxes, reducing deforestation, or carbon dioxide removal, and see their real-time impact on global temperature. Can you achieve the 1.5°C goal?

Over 6,500 leaders from government, NGOS, business, and academia have participated in this workshop.

Your facilitator, En-ROADS Ambassador Bas Tuenter, is the founder of Sustainables, a start-up focused on reusing lab disposables. He discovered the En-ROADS simulator while volunteering in the UN youth climate space at COP25.

Citizens making laws – how does that work?

Once every 23,000 years—that’s the chance for a European to be selected for the European Commission’s Citizens’ Panels. Marie Louise was chosen. In November 2023, she received a call inviting her to share her views on energy efficiency. Along with 150 other EU citizens from diverse backgrounds – teenagers, parents, retirees – she developed policy ideas. These ideas and recommendations are supposed to guide the European Commission in creating new laws on energy efficiency.

How does such a diverse group work together, discuss unfamiliar topics, and develop proposals? Marie Luise was there and will share her impressions with us.

Facing New Challenges – Is Today’s EU Ready to Last?

This week, some 400 Million Europeans will shape their continent’s future by voting for a new European Parliament. For more than 13 years, Klaus Welle has administratively put this institution at the heart of EU democracy as secretary general of the European Parliament.

While advocating for a stronger parliament with more competencies, Welle also shaped the physical character of the institution to make it more transparent: The EP’s House of History, its new visitor center in Brussels. Politically, he calls for a sustainable European Union ready to last, along with the seven D-Notions: Debt, Defence, Democracy, Demography, Digital, De-carbonisation, and De-globalisation.

Join our special election event to discuss the Future of the European Union with someone who knows the functioning of the European Parliament by heart. Share your views on what it takes to make the European Union a lasting success for future generations.

We’re off for a week

We are taking one week off to prepare for next week’s special for the EU elections! Stay tuned for next Tuesday and tell your friends. We’re still there for you on Discord and

EU Elections In Times Of Disinformation

🤥🗳The 2024 European Parliament election campaign is overshadowed by disinformation, undermining democracy’s foundation: the shared reality of its citizens.

🔍🔎The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) aims to “act as a reference point for data and policies on disinformation, public trust, media literacy, and quality information.” It is at the forefront of addressing this issue.

🛠💡We invited Mr. Paolo Cesarini, EDMO Program Director, to discuss his strategies and how governmental and non-governmental institutions collaborate to minimize the risks of disinformation attacks on EU elections and democracy.

Can this “war” against evil actors, fake news factories and AI be won?

Easy Recipes for Boosting EU Democracy

Europe votes in less than 30 days! But who is voting? Predominantly academics and people with excellent socio-economic positions. Young and socially disadvantaged people make less use of their right to vote, but only together can we find a path to the Europe of tomorrow.

During the MeetEU DemocracyLab 2024, funded by the Berlin Senate, 35 Europeans from 16 countries developed ideas to motivate everyone – regardless of their social background – to vote.

We present these recipes for a strong democracy so you can use them in your city, university, or village.

Adam: Exploring New Horizons By Rail

This week, we invited Adam – a EU-Youngster. And he got a message for you:

Hey there, I’m Adam, and I’m all the way from the beautiful Czech Republic! Last year I went on this this wild 21-day train adventure across Europe thanks to DiscoverEU! This tuesday, I’ll share with you the most inspiring experiences I made and tell you what happened when I met “Europe” for the fist time in my life! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on my stories, tips, and all-around good vibes. So, grab a seat and let’s chat!

A little break for our team

Did you know that MeetEU is 100% organized by volunteers? Together, people from all around the continent work to provide you with exciting events and possibilities to discuss EU issues with other Europeans. If you like what you do, feel free to support us.

Only with your help can we keep this project running.

A New Generation for Europe

Join us for a chat with Adam Trunečka, a 24-year-old Czech MEP candidate, as he shares his journey from activism to politics. Find out what drives him to advocate for youth perspectives in the European Parliament and what his views for the Europe of tomorrow are.

As usual, we’ll have a laid-back chat that allows you to ask Adam about everything and anything, whether his views on issues like the EU Green Deal or LGBTQ rights.

An Inside Perspective on EU-Lobbyism

Dive into the heart of European Union lobbying with Daniel Guéguen, at our exclusive event, “EU – Lobbyism: An Inside Perspective,” on April 16th.

Known for peeling back the layers of EU policymaking with his expertise, Guéguen brings his latest insights directly to you. With a career that has shaped the understanding of EU lobbying, Guéguen’s work is a beacon for anyone looking to navigate the complex corridors of European power. From pioneering lobbying strategies to authoring essential reads on EU politics, his insights offer a rare glimpse into the art of influence at the heart of Europe.

Considering himself a pro-European, but with a critical look at EU governance, prepare for a session that promises to transform your view of EU lobbying. Reserve your spot now for the event!

Young, first-time MEP?

Have you ever wondered how it feels to run for MEP for the first time? Have you played with the thought of running yourself? Join us in this Tuesday’s Zoom session to discuss it with someone who does so.

Anna Stürgkh is second on the list for her party and might become an MEP during the EU-Parliament elections in June. Tune in and discover Anna’s challenges, expectations, and hopes.

We’re on Easter Break – See you next week!

We wanted to send you an Easter postcard, but then we noticed that our piggy bank is empty. If you would like to be our Easter bunny, why not donate us a coffee (bottom left)?

MEP Chat: eIDAS 2.0: Moving your Identity to the Digital Realm

Applying for a university course in another EU country? On vacation abroad and forgot your medical prescription? Unsure if an online shop is authentic? Need to prove you’re allowed to drive without carrying another card? Tired of accumulating paper certificates at home?

Join our Zoom event with Romana Jerković, Member of the European Parliament (S&D), responsible for drafting eIDAS 2.0, the updated EU identity framework. Learn how it helps with the mentioned scenarios and more.

Breaking Barriers – From Prison to Rehabilitation

Did you know that in France, approximately 11.5% of convicts return to jail each, contributing to overcrowding? Coupled with the serious underfunding of French prisons, this poses alarming challenges for both inmates and prison staff. Today, we aim to amplify the voice of those who are typically not being heard: the marginalized members of society rarely represented in the media, often dismissed as lost causes.

We want to see if it is possible to successfully reintegrate into society for those with a history of incarceration and how to tackle this alarming issue of recidivism. Join us for a discussion with Olivier Caquineau, an expert on the French judicial system, the Ilot association, dedicated to rehabilitating former inmates, and Ludovic, a former inmate.

Gain an inside perspective on what it is like to live life behind bars, and the process of overcoming the challenges faced upon re-entering society.

Voices at the Ballot: EU Election Digital Dialogue

This digital session, hosted on Zoom, will delve deeper into the recent EU elections, exploring their outcomes, implications, and the vital role they play in shaping the future of European democracy. In this interactive forum, EU citizens will come together to discuss strategies for increasing voter engagement, and envision the path forward for a more participatory EU. Engage in lively discussions, share your insights, and connect with a community passionate about strengthening democracy across Europe.

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a critical conversation on the future of democratic participation and governance in the EU. Your voice matters in our collective effort to foster a more inclusive, vibrant, and democratic European Union.

Chat with Guy Verhofstadt: The United States of Europe – A Must in Today’s Geopolitics

China wants Taiwan and control of the South China Sea. Russia is striving to reestablish its Soviet-era hegemony in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, presidential candidate Donald Trump says he might not defend small NATO allies or those not spending enough on defense.

What if the United States backs off from Europe? Can the EU guarantee safety for Eastern European members? Is the EU in the current form able to stand its ground in this global alligator pond? Many argue that we need a powerful new vision for the Continent. Is it now time to rebuild the European Union as “the United States of Europe”?

Who could be better to learn from about these issues than Renew MEP Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgium Prime Minister, and Board Member of the Spinelli Group of the European Federalists.

DemocracyLab2024 – Together for the Europe of Tomorrow

Aged from 16 to 75, 35 Europeans from more than 17 different countries have developed their ideas on how to increase voter turnout for the 2024 EU Elections

Mardi Gras – We Take a Break

As every year, MeetEU team members are dressing up like EU Politicians to simulate a EU Council Summit. Unfortunatly, tickets for this spectacle are already sold out – sorry. But you can support our great creativity, and all the work we do besides, by sending us a donation.

There Is Another Russia – Insights Into Russian Civil Society

With the Russian annexation of Crimea, Russian meddling in Eastern Ukraine in 2014 and finally with the full scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 all dreams of a viable partnership with Russia have been thoroughly  killed. Russia again has stepped into the role it occupied before 1989: The monolythic systemic enemy of the European Union. Putin controls the field. The opposition is brutally suppressed.

At tonight’s event we will talk to Ms. Elizaveta Shlosberg, representative of “Alliance for a free and democratic Russia”, a German organisation of mostly Russian emigrants based in Nuremberg. She will offer us insights into the activities of Russian emigrant organisations in Europe and civil society developments in pre-presidential-election Russia.

EU – Turkiye Relationship, End of a Dream?

Which dream is possibly coming to an end? Turkiye’s dream of becoming an EU member? Or Europe’s dream of having a strong partner bridging Europa and Asia? And where is Turkey heading under President Erdogan? These are the questions we want to discuss at this event. To represent the Turkish perspective out team member Hira from Turkiye will provide us with insights from the Turkish point of view.

MEP Talk: EU-China Relations: What’s on the Horizon?

Flourishing as the EU’s 3rd largest export hub, China and the EU share a robust trade bond. Yet, amidst economic ties, the vigilant eye of the EU Parliament remains fixed on human rights concerns in China. This delicate dance reflects the EU’s commitment—balancing commerce and principles through ongoing diplomatic dialogue with China.

Join us for a Zoom conversation with Mr Reinhard BÜTIKOFER, Member of European Parliament and Chair of the Delegations for relations with the People’s Republic of China. In seeking understanding,this event will shed light on the evolving dynamics between Europe and China.

Xmas Chilling with the MeetEU community

Throughout 2023, we’ve explored the world of EU politics. Tonight, we’ll turn the spotlight on ourselves.

Let’s share how we celebrate Christmas in our countries, our holiday plans, and whatever else fills our hearts.

Grab a cozy drink and some Panettone, Kerststol, Lebkuchen, Bûche de Noël, Kourabiedes, Makowiec – you name it. Let’s engage in laid-back conversations about everything and anything (and a bit of Europe, too).

Your support throughout the year means the world to us. Thank you for everything!

Looking forward to our time together tonight!

The Real Delivery Costs – Europe’s Youth Pays the Price

After a long day of work, having your food delivered to your home seems like an easygoing alternative. Laying your feet on the table while tracking your app’s real-time delivery status. And the price tag is low: Many platforms even offer free delivery. So, who pays the price?

In many cases, it is Europe’s youth. Five out of ten so-called platform workers – those sitting on the bike and delivering the food – are young Europeans, as research by the European Youth Forum has shown.

Because of economic and social marginalization, many are forced to take this insecure job without social security and unsafe working conditions. So, what can be done to protect the youth? Is a feeling of guilt inherent to delivery services, or are there solutions?

Let’s discuss these questions with Alex; he advocates for positive change as a specialist and policy advisor for the European Youth Forum.

Migration paradigm shift 2024 – Fear, refugees and liberal democracy

With Gerald Knaus, Chairman of the thinktank European Stability Initiative and architect of the EU-Turkey Statement on Migration.

Irregular migration remains a challenge for both the EU and its member states, giving rise to right-wing populist parties with an illiberal vision for the continent. Yet still, the EU is searching for a strategy.

Knaus argues that “we need a paradigm shift in EU migration policy, addressing the surge in asylum applications and irregular Mediterranean crossings. Key measures include supporting Ukraine, enhancing European solidarity with Ukrainian refugees, and disincentivizing irregular migration to the EU. To achieve this, we need a renewed cooperation with Turkey, strategic deportations after cutoff dates, serious offers of legal mobility, and asylum procedures in safe third countries.”

Is Europe Ready for Trump 2.0 ?

With the next US election just a year away, many in Europe are nervous: What if Trump wins again? How might American foreign and trade policies change? And what could that mean for Europe?

In a world where Trump could once again stir up global politics, we delve into the potential shifts in American policies and whether Europe is ready for them.

Join us for a Zoom conversation with Jeremy Shapiro, Director of the US Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Jeremy brings a wealth of expertise, including advising the U.S. State Department on policy in North Africa and the Levant. He will provide us with insights into these pressing questions.

Things That Just Make Sense in a Bomb Shelter

„When Russia invaded my country, Ukraine, my parents, my dog and I fled to a bomb shelter that seemed more than bizarre to me. And because there was WiFi and the days were damn long and also boring, I posted videos [on TikTok] to introduce my new home – some of them even went around the world.“

Valeria Shashenok, a 21-year-old from Ukraine, posted videos on TikTok that we never thought we would see in today’s Europe. Over 1.3 million people followed her story of bombs, evacuations, life, death, and things that only make sense in a bomb shelter.

Now safely in Western Europe, she has turned her diary and photos into a book. Listen to her story on Tuesday, Nov 21, at 19:00 CET on Zoom

Direct Democracy – Game Changer or Pandora Box?

Did you vote in your last election? High abstention rates, a loss of trust in democratic Institutions, and growing political polarization – democracy faces many challenges today. For some, more direct citizen engagement is the solution. But is this the fix we need?

Citizens become part of the explicit decision-making process by participating in referendums, being part of consultations, or directly voting for different policies. On the other hand, some argue that this would increase the gap between already engaged and passive citizens.

Together with you, we will take a dive into the world of deliberative democracy and analyze an in-between solution: Citizen consultations.

Meet the MeetEU Team – What Happens Behind the Scenes?

Ever wondered what MeetEU exactly is? How it works? Who comes up with the Events and writes texts like this one? This Tuesday, you will find the surprising answers.

Our Vice-President Tina, who usually moderates our weekly events, will provide you with some first-hand insights on current and future campaigns, the way volunteers from 15 countries are collaborating, and who we are. So much being said, she will also share with you some funny stories about how MeetEU started and which were the most demanding challenges so far.

Whether you’re just interested or thinking about joining the MeetEU Team, don’t miss this opportunity.

Halloween Trick-Or-Treating

Because we all don’t get a salary, Halloween is the only opportunity for the MeetEU team to get candy. That’s why the team meets for the annual trick-or-treating – maybe we’ll ring your bell too? 🎃

Hey EU – Where are you going?

The world has entered a phase of turmoil, and the EU is not quite ready to stand its ground in this environment. Or is it? Can the EU uphold it’s ideals and still become a significant global player, contributing to the good of mankind? Or will the EU fall apart under the ever strengthening assault of nationalistic sentiment in its member countries?
In todays event we want to hear from you, what you expect the EU to look like 25 years from now. In small groups you will have the opportunity to express you opinion and discuss resulting priorities for action.

TikTok and My Privacy – Who Cares?

Ever wondered if your data is up for grabs? Get ready for an eye-opening event with Marc from the encryption front-runner Proton:
🌐 Can TikTok, Instagram, BeReal, and other platforms sell my data to everyone? Marc tells you what the regulations are
🔮 GDPR – what? Unlock the magic behind EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. Understand the layers of protection and explore the limits of your digital rights.
🔒 Who ensures that the social platforms stick with the law? Discover who’s safeguarding your digitals rights.
👉Learn how to use your rights as an EU Citizen. The choice is yours — don’t become the product.

How Does The European Union Manage Chemical Risks?

Chemicals are everywhere in our lives, from gadgets 📱 to cosmetics🧴 . But have you ever wondered about their safety? 🤔 Let’s talk about assessing chemical risks, how decisions on chemical bans are made, and why PFAs, those “forever chemicals,” are still in use.

Join Hanna-Kaisa Torkkeli from ECHA – the EU’s Chemical Agency – for insights.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 10th October 🕖 Time: 19:00 CEST

Together Towards an Inclusive Future: Strategies and Solutions

“We need more inclusion” – a sentence everyone likes to say and hear. But why do almost half of the people with disabilities live in poverty because they are unemployed or working in workshops where you earn €1 per hour? Why are there still separate schools and free-time facilities? Where is the political representation of people with disabilities? Even though there are binding laws, things don’t seem to improve much in the EU.

We’ll talk about this with Katrin Langensiepen, a Green MEP. She is the first and only MEP with a visible disability in the European Parliament and wants to make sure that those who have no political representation are not forgotten.

What changes do we need to ensure true inclusion and what is the real state of inclusion in the EU? Join us to discuss and to ask your questions about this critical topic.

Being A Journalist in Europe – A Pillar of Democracy in Danger?

Despite the popularity of social media, 7 out of 10 Europeans still rely on TV for their news. However, those who deliver the news, the journalists, often confront risks like legal troubles, financial pressures, or even violence.

To address this issue, the Media Freedom Act has been drafted. Its goals are to provide journalists with more security, increase transparency for citizens, and regulate a European media market that is becoming more consolidated.

Join us in examining the concerns related to press freedom in Europe and potential solutions. We will delve into this matter with Irena Joveva, a former journalist and a Member of the European Parliament from Renew Europe.

The State of the European Union – as Viewed by the MeetEU Community

Join us for a unique perspective on the State of the European Union address! Last week, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, shared her insights and plans. Now, it’s our turn.

At MeetEU, we’re looking at the European Union through the lens of citizens. What have we achieved in the past year, and what challenges should be addressed in the future?

In small groups, we’ll create our own Citizen’s State of the European Union speech. Join in, let’s have a conversation, and have fun!

Green Rail Transportation – Are We on The Right Track?

On the rails toward the future! Most of us agree – trains are the greenest form of transport compared to planes or cars. But the journey from A to B by train can be challenging: three different types of tracks, incompatible signaling technology, as well as voltage differences slow down travelers and transporting goods throughout Europe.

Now is the time to lay the track for the future! Cross-border trains have been around for decades, and the next steps are already clear: a uniform basis for cross-border ticketing, compatible hydrogen trains, and uniform signaling systems.

Together with the Director of the European Rail Network Agency, Josef Doppelbauer, we will go on a journey on Europe’s rails and see where the signals are green and where they are still red.

You can pack your suitcases with experiences and curiosity; we’ll bring the rest

You’re MeetEU!

During 150 events, we discussed our common future in Europe. The result? Friendships & relationships which don’t know any borders. Together with you, we brought Europe a little bit closer. Thank you for being part of this journey! Let’s continue together.

We’re on summer break

In the last three years, we discussed various topics ranging from climate change, defense, women’s rights, citizen participation, and youth engagement with you and other participants, joining us from more than 45 countries! We can’t wait for our next season… Until then, the MeetEU teams enjoys its summer break.

Europe & the Stars: Discovering Space in our Daily Lives

How does space impact our daily lives? From using satellite systems for navigation in a new city to deploying rapid response capabilities for natural disasters like floods and forest fires, space plays a crucial role. How does this function? And what does a view from space reveal about climate change?

Join us for a Q&A with Dr. Christina Giannopapa from the EU Agency for the Space Program, where we uncover the answers. Register here for your free Zoom link.

EU Citizen’s Participation – Too Fragmented to be Impactful?

✋Speak up. ?Shape our Future. Yes, it’s possible in the EU!
❓But how can we contribute our own ideas? What are effective ways to do this? What opportunities do we have to shape Europe in our cities or regions? And can we truly make a difference? Or is citizens’ participation in the EU too fragmented? And if so – how can we do better?

?Christian Huesmann, an expert in democracy and citizens’ participation from the Bertelsmann Foundation will shed light on these questions and discuss your ideas with you.

EU Enlargement in Uncertain Times – Better Together or Too Many Risks?

In 2004, Northern Macedonia applied for the first time to join the European Union. 2020, over 16 years later, the official negotiations started – EU enlargement is time-consuming.

However, EU enlargement gained momentum – one year after Russia invaded Ukraine, the list of EU candidate countries grew from five to eight. Nevertheless, for some political capitals, new EU member states are still considered an additional financial burden coming along with a further complexification of the political decision-making process.

Is it the right time for EU enlargement? What factors influence the process of enlargement externally and internally within the EU? Should there be a fast-track joining procedure? Furthermore, what are the implications if the union fails to welcome them?

We will discuss this issue with Sven Mikser, a Member of the European Parliament and former minister of defense in Estonia. As a member of the committee on foreign affairs and vice chair of the delegation for NATO relations, his expertise will provide us with a comprehensive insight into the topic.

AI & Democracy – Which Way Is Europe Going?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing. Safeguarding fundamental rights and establishing a framework for its further development is crucial.

The EU is taking up the challenge and is working on the world’s first comprehensive regulation of AI. Is it leading us in the right direction? Is regulating potential risks sufficient, or which additional measures does it require to fully unleash AI’s democratic potential?

We are delighted to have the following speakers joining us:
?Alexandra Geese, MEP, Greens
?Daniel Leisegang, Co-chief editor of netzpolitik.org
? Lajla Fetic, AI expert, Bertelsmann Foundation
?Felix Karrte, EU Director, Reset.tech

Event held in German, with live English translation available.

The AI Act: Losing Competitive Edge or Defending Humanity?

Are AI-generated texts or images required to be labeled? Is it legal to train AI systems using personal user data? What happens when these systems are utilized by criminals, political campaigns, or foreign governments?

It is evident that artificial intelligence needs to be regulated. A new EU law called the “AI Act” is supposed to do so. However, finding a balance between effective measures and maintaining Europe’s competitive edge is crucial. So, what can we expect from the new AI Act?

Get insights directly from Martin Ulbrich of the European Commission (DG Connect), who was involved in drafting the new AI Act. Learn about the latest developments and have your questions answered.

Tech Renting Made in EU – Say Goodbye to E-Waste!

? In 2020, the EU set a negative record by producing enough electronic waste to construct 470 Eiffel Towers. The consequences have been devastating, with toxic waste accumulating in landfills or being sent to developing countries.

♻️Recognizing the need for action, the French start-up and cooperative Commown took a different approach: reuse instead of replacement. Based in Strasbourg, the company rents out sustainable and fair-produced notebooks and phones to businesses and individuals.

❓But how does this business model work? Could it be the future of sustainable consumption? And what are the young start-up leaders expecting from the European Union? To explore these questions, we sit down with Robin Angelé, one of the key decision-makers at Commown.

This event is part of a series featuring various European start-ups, aimed at showcasing the diverse landscape of Europe’s tech industry and its innovative solutions.

We take a break!

Three days of weekend are good, four days are better! We’ll extend our weekend a bit, see you again next week.

Smart Cities – How Urban Life Will Change

How smart are Europe’s cities? Discover how innovative technology transforms our lives, works, and relations in urban environments. Where are the limits? Are there only benefits? And how to ensure that no one is being left behind?

Discuss with citizens from all around Europe about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in this exciting field. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the frontiers of urban innovation during a compelling presentation and cozy exchange.

One of our team members, Alessia, presently working for an consulting group in Brussels, will host this session. She’s happy to spark a discussion and share her knowledge with us.

Inviting MEPs is as Easy as Cooking! (EU-Basics)

Level up your engagement! Join us for a laid-back session where we will teach you how to invite MEPs for local and digital events. Our team members will share their strategies, show you how to find the perfect MEP for your speaker, and explain the importance of choosing the right topic for your events.

Our workshop is like a cooking class, where we will guide you step-by-step to achieve the desired outcome. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and elevate your events to the next level.

Join our relaxed workshop and community event.

Protecting European Taxpayers’ Money From Criminals

Take the chance to attend our Zoom event with Titus Poenaru, Counsellor for Interinstitutional Relations at the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). EPPO is responsible for investigating and prosecuting a wide range of white-collar crimes, including misuse of EU funds, money laundering, and VAT fraud.

Since its launch in June 2021, the EPPO has received over 4,000 crime reports from EU Member States and private parties. In 2022 alone, it had frozen 359 million EUR from suspected criminals.

Join us on Zoom to learn more about EPPO’s work in safeguarding the financial interests of the EU. Titus Poenaru will answer questions about his role and the challenges of tackling such crimes.

Tracking Influence in the EU: Who does your MEP Meet?

Are you curious about the mysterious world of EU lobbying? Join us for a workshop to explore the new European Parliament transparency rules. Together we’ll discuss if they are effective enough. Plus, we’ll show you how to find out who your MEP is meeting with.

In small groups, we’ll brainstorm transparency concepts for the European Parliament. Take the opportunity to create ideas with others who share your passion for a more transparent EU.

The EU’s Plan To Connect The World – How Does It Work?

Democracy, transparency, equal partnerships and sustainability are some of the core values that characterize the European Union. A key role of the EU is to guarantee these principles in the EU area, enabling the creation of a fully democratic Union to be lived by its citizens.

Outside the EU borders, however, these values are often not respected across the world. The Global Gateway strategy (GG) aims at tackling this issue, merging two important functions of the EU external action. On one hand, it establishes partnerships with other countries across the globe, especially in relation to the African and Asiatic continent. On the other hand, the GG objective is to boost these principles outside the EU, creating valuable connections and benefits for the local communities involved.

Will the EU manage to achieve a fully connected, democratic and sustainable network within 2027? How will it face the difficulties of approaching different countries across the world? How will it manage to compete with other similar initiatives? What kind of projects the GG is implementing right now and what will be the effects in the upcoming future? David Ringrose, Head of Division of the Global Gateway, in charge of connectivity and digital transition, will tell us more about how the EU is acting externally through the GG.

The EU Citizen Panels – How Europeans are Co-Creating their Policies

Europe’s most prominent democracy project, the Conference on the Future of Europe, has brought together hundreds of thousands of Europeans to develop ideas about the EU of tomorrow. More than 18,800 proposals were developed. And now what?

Implementing continuous citizen participation was one of the citizens’ priorities. In December 2022, the European Commission started a new consultation process involving Europeans directly in the decision-making and law drafting of specific areas, such as reducing food waste.

But the main questions are still open: What happens with the results of those consultations? How many of those panels are planned, and how are they organized?

Together with Gaetane Ricard-Nihoul, as Senior-Expert at the European Commission, she coordinates and supervises the new citizen panels.

Easter Holiday, see you next week!

We wanted to send you an Easter postcard, but then we noticed that our piggy bank is empty. If you would like to be our Easter bunny, why not donate us a coffee (bottom left)?

How to Bring the Green Revolution to your Community

For more than years now, the EU Green Deal has been striving to achieve its environmental, climate, and biodiversity goals. But how can we motivate people to get involved? Well, the European Climate Pact is here to help. It’s an EU-wide initiative that empowers individuals across Europe to take action for the climate in their daily routines and contribute to creating a greener Europe.

Are you curious about the ‘European Climate Pact’ and how it operates? Who can participate, and how effective is it in strengthening the climate movement on a (trans)national level? Furthermore, are the resources for green actions readily available? Lastly, can social mobilization alone ensure that we reach net-zero?

Fons Janssen, the Climate Pact Ambassador and country coordinator for Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, has all the answers. He’ll explain how the program can boost the efficacy of your climate action efforts

How to Make the Eurozone Crisis-Proof?

Almost 340 million people share the euro as their single currency. What if a new crisis hits our monetary union? To be prepared for this, we discuss ‘How to make the euro area crisis-proof?’ with Rolf Strauch. Rolf is Chief Economist at the euro crisis fund – European Stability Mechanism (ESM) in Luxembourg.

We will speak about: What are the missing pieces in the euro area’s institutional architecture to master crises well in the future? Whether Europe reacted well to the pandemic? And which tools do the Euro rescue fund, ESM, have at hand to fight these economic hick-ups?

Together, we will explore the challenges and solutions for a prosperous and secure future for all of us.

Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your questions, share your suggestions, or exchange views with Rolf! 

A Platform for EU Activists – How Should It Look Like?

Civil society organizations connect Europe: Whether through this promotion of youth exchange, social projects, local European education, or Europe-wide participation formats. Thousands of volunteers contribute to European integration through their commitment.

But where do these thousands of volunteers meet to discuss current campaigns? Where can they find new comrades-in-arms and build partnerships? Despite the very active EU association landscape, there is still no central platform that promotes synergies between associations, institutions, and foundations.

Can we change that? Together with you, we want to develop a concept that turns out to be a hub for innovation. Be part of it, bring your creativity, and help to connect Europe across national borders,

Digital EU Referendums – Democracy Booster or Stupid Idea?

A week after digital voting in Estonia contributed to a record turnout since the country’s re-independence, we want to take a thoughtful step in this direction at the European level: Should there be digital referendums at the EU level?

Together with you, we will discuss two areas in this one-hour discussion event: The advantages and disadvantages of referendums on the European level and the possible technical feasibility. Would Europe-wide referendums endanger the balance of power? Can they provide a welcomed platform for populists? Should they be binding?

According to the motto by citizens, for citizens, this event requires no prior knowledge. Just join the event, grab a tea, and discuss with Europeans from all around the corner in a cozy group.

MeetEU General Annual Assembly

The European Year of Skills, the 2024 European elections and other major projects keep MeetEU busy. During our annual meeting, the members of the MeetEU association decide on financial planning, strategic directions and administrative planning.

Apart from that, we also use the annual meeting to recap our achievements of the last year and to find solutions for existing challenges.

Please note: This event is only open to MeetEU Members and the MeetEU Team.

The Future of Europe: What are the Citizens’ Visions?

Europe’s most prominent democracy project, the Conference on the Future of Europe, has brought together hundreds of thousands of Europeans to develop ideas about the EU of tomorrow. More than 18,800 proposals were developed. And now what?

Whether climate change, food safety, foreign policy, or technology. For one year, EU citizens were encouraged to share their ideas in all fields relevant to the future. The summarized results now have to be realized by policymakers at the European level. How is this going? Will all ideas be realized, and how can we be sure that they will not end up in drawers?

Together with Guillaume McLaughlin, we will discuss these questions. As Head of Unit in the Interinstitutional Future Reflection Unit of the European Parliament, he has been actively involved in shaping the project.

It’s a public holiday!

There will be no MeetEU event this Tuesday, but don’t worry. On our Discord server, you will find interesting discussions every day. Feel free to drop in!

Your Traineeship Opportunities within EU Institutions

Your internship is just around the corner and EU matters are close to your heart? Then you surely already thought about applying for a traineeship in one of the Institutions of the European Union.

There are many opportunities, and it can be hard to know which one is the right for you! What’s the difference between a Schumann and a Bluebook Traineeship? How do I apply? When do I apply? Which institution suits me best?

During our event Katharina, Verena, Marko and Mona are going to respond to your questions and share their experiences at the European Commission, the Parliament, the Council and the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the EU.

Interested? Join us!

I’m an IT Project Manager at the EU. Ask Me Anything

Bastien is an IT Project Manager at the European Commission in Brussels. He is part of a team working on a tool used by the Commission for decision-making processes. What does his work involve? How do you get such a job? What is it like to live in Brussels? During the one-hour session, Bastien will answer any questions that you have about his work, areas of expertise, and anything in between.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn about the work of an IT professional at the EU.

Where Have All Our Forests Gone?

In Central and Eastern Europe, forests are being cleared on a massive scale. Legally and illegally. Trees are seen merely as a commodity. The soaring energy prices could also boost logging this winter. Especially in member states where many people heat their homes with wood.

What can we do to protect Europe’s vulnerable forests? Let’s talk about that with ecologist Michal Wiezik, a Slovak MEP for the Renew Group and a member of the Environment (ENVI) committee at the European Parliament.

Join our conversation with Michal Wiezik!

Ukraine’s EU Membership: Perspectives and Challenges

Together, we will take a look beyond the current battlefield reports to Ukraine’s future in the EU. What are the challenges of Ukraine’s accession to the EU? What are critical must-happen-events to secure a win-win outcome 10 or 20 years from now?

Join us and exchange with Victoria Vdovychenko (Associate Professor, Faculty of Law and International Relations, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University). She will provide us with first-hand information.

EU Quiz – Fun Edition

Are you interested in Europe? Do you thrive on trivia challenges? Then mark your calendars for January 17th, because MeetEU is hosting a Kahoot Quiz where you can put your EU knowledge to the test and win amazing prizes! From politics to culture and history, this quiz covers it all.

Best of all, participation is free and the event will be conducted in English. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to showcase your EU expertise and walk away with some awesome prizes. Sign up now to reserve your spot!

Let’s Discuss EUrope Across Generations – But how?

How would you like to discuss Europe with a person which is 30 years younger or older than you? In a café? During a hiking trip? At a Europe festival? Or over a random digital platform?

The Europe we live in tomorrow concerns us all! That’s why we have to talk together about what it should look like. But often we discuss with people of the same age, whether at work, in university or among friends…

Let’s break out of this bubble! But how? Together with decision-makers, experts and you, we want to develop ideas on how to promote an exchange between generations on our common future in the European Union.

You are not an EU expert? Don’t worry, that’s an advantage. Just bring your creativity, and we’ll provide the rest.

By citizens, with citizens, for citizens – be there and join the workshop!

Should we Speed Up EU Enlargement?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is fundamentally changing the political landscape of Europe. A new iron curtain is drawn, going through, and dividing the continent. In response to this, the European Union opened a path to EU membership for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. How realistic is this? A look at the Western Balkans states does not give much reason to be optimistic. All six Western Balkan states are stuck.  Is it time for the EU to acknowledge this and enhance the process for the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia? How could this be done? And why would the EU benefit from it?

We will be discussing these questions with Adnan Ćerimagić from the think tank European Stability Initiative (ESI). Adnan (from Bosnia and Herzegovina) is ESI’s Senior Analyst for the Western Balkans and is researching EU policy towards the region.

EU Citizen Participation—Democracy Booster or Flop?

The Conference on the Future of Europe has produced a lot of citizens proposals as well as numerous pictures. Images that can be found on EU websites, in the media and even on our website.

But what about the recommendations of the citizens? Are they being used to shape the future of the European Union? What about their implementation? Or was it just citizen participation for the cameras?

In any case, with the Conference, the EU has taken a new step towards more citizen participation. Should and will this course be continued? And if so, how?

With Damian Böselager, Member of the European Parliament (Volt), we want to talk about the goals, possibilities and limits of citizen participation. How the results of Citizen Panels relate to our elected representatives in the European Parliament. And what needs to happen for citizen participation to succeed.

Home Parliaments – EU Holiday, Education, And More

Closed Session – prior registration required!

Most us are in favour of opportunities for citizen participation. The organization Pulse of Europe has developed a process which facilitates exactly this with a process they call “home parliaments”. The current session lasts till December 6 and deals with the following 3 questions:

  1. Should there be a joint European Public Holiday to commemorate Europe’s shared history and values
  2. Should history education in Europe’s schools provide more common European content and go beyond national narratives?
  3. Should EU enlargement be accelerated for countries with candidate status?

If anybody of you is interested in discussing these topics and feeding the results of our discussions to high level European politicians, write to us [email protected].

EU’s Foreign Aid – How to Create Lasting Change?

Whether it’s funding large infrastructure projects like wind turbines in Egypt or supporting farmers in Cameron, the European Union finances and coordinates a wide range of projects with partners around the world. Let’s speak about this with Maria from the European Commission.

The EU’s development cooperation aims not only to improve the life of people in developing regions, but also to help create a climate-friendly future by promoting sustainable initiatives.

How does the EU try implementing lasting changes through its projects? What are its goals, and how does the funding of a project in developing regions work?

Join us and learn more about the EU’s efforts in the field of development cooperation.

Green Hydrogen – How The Transition Should Look Like

Green hydrogen is on everyone’s lips, whether it’s fuel for planes and cars, as a gas substitute, or for generating and storing electricity. This key technology is designed to enable the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies and is an important element in combating climate change. But what is green hydrogen at all?

We will discuss this with Lars, who has studied the establishment of hydrogen technologies in the Netherlands. He will explain to us how the use of hydrogen as an energy source works, if it is really green and when it will be fully implemented.

Want to learn more about this topic? So do we. Be there and sign up.

Find your timezone:
19:00 CET (Brussels Time) | 6pm Ireland, Portugal, UK | 8pm Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Romania, Lithuania

A Stronger Europe Without National Vetoes?

Be it the sanction policy against Russia or a joint declaration criticizing China’s Hong Kong ‘security law’ – EU decisions are regularly blocked by the veto of a single member state. Many EU citizens say this hostage-taking on foreign policy must end. They call for making majority voting the rule. On the other hand, there are smaller EU member states that fear being outvoted. And there are the Eurosceptic governments, which believe that European integration has already gone too far.

What is your opinion? Would the EU be stronger without national vetoes? Or do unanimous decisions actually strengthen European integration?

Let’s discuss this with our guests:
• Omri Preiss, Managing Director of Alliance4Europe
• Gabriele Bischoff, Member of the European Parliament (S&D)

? Tuesday, 08th November
? 19:00 CET (Brussels Time) on Zoom | 6pm Ireland, Portugal, UK | 8pm Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Romania, Lithuania

Our Trip to Brussels—Find out what we’ve experienced

Last week, the MeetEU team participated in the LevelUp! Youth Event in Brussels. What did we do there? Which people did we meet? What was the vibe? …

Join our informal chat to meet the Team behind MeetEU and learn about what we’ve experienced in Brussels. Don’t forget to bring a tea and join the exchange!

Stability in Unstable Times? What the ECB can – and cannot – do

In September 2022, consumer prices in the European Union shot up 10% (!) compared with the same month a year earlier. Inflation eats up our salaries and savings. Whether it’s at the cashier or when paying the electricity bill.

While the U.S. or the U.K. have raised interest rates sharply, the European Central Bank (ECB) has made comparatively small increases. Will this be enough to improve the situation?

To learn more join us on Zoom: With Gabriel Glöckler, Principal Advisor at the ECB, we will be discussing how the ECB is dealing with this crisis, what consequences we can expect and why it is proceeding so cautiously.

Green & Sustainable Flying — Possible or Dream?

Last time you flew on vacation was five years ago, and you still feel guilty? That’s understandable: air travel is one of the most environmentally damaging ways of getting around, but it’s also often the only option or the cheaper than the train ride…

Together with you, we want to take off into the world of aviation and discuss whether air travel can be more environmentally friendly in the future, or whether this is greenwashing.

We are happy to welcome Mr. Pedro Castro (Aviation Consultant & Portuguese MP). He deals with this issue critically on a daily basis and will explain to us that CO2 emissions are not the only problem in the aviation industry.

During this event, you won’t be able to collect miles but interesting information. Register & book your seat (for free…)

How To Lobby For A Greener & Social Europe

What lobbyists choose to promote has consequences for society. Alex Braley is part of a new generation of lobbyists in Brussels who are innovating and doing Sustainable Public Affairs – the practice of lobbying for more ambitious environmental policies or better enforcement of the current regulations.

As the advisory firm #SustainablePublicAffairs’ Head of Practice for circular economy, Alex works every day to bring higher sustainability ambitions and approaches into EU legislation.

But what does that actually mean: lobbying? What is a circular economy? How do you influence legislation and what makes this type of advocacy so important?

We are happy that Alex Braley will give us an insight into his daily work and the important issues he advocates for.

Digital Markets Act—Opportunity or Limitation?

The Digital Markets act is a proposal from the EU-Commission, which has been accepted by the EU-Parliament and the Council of the European Union. It aims to tackle issues with so called “gatekeepers” and introduces new rules for big platforms and how they are allowed to operate.

The DMA (Digital Markets Act) should ensure fair and open markets for all digital companies, but what exactly is a “gatekeeper”? What rules will be implemented and what do they mean for the future of the European Union? How does the legislation compare globally? Will it bring the opportunities it is supposed to?

Join us on Tuesday the 27th of September (19:00 CEST) to discuss all of this with Michael König, the Adviser for Platform Regulation, and the Digital Markets Act in the European Commission DG CONNECT. As front-line negotiator for the Digital Markets Act, he will be able to help us understand the DMA and its implications.


We look forward to seeing you at this free event ?

Become a Minister for one day— Simulation of the Council of Ministers

Become a Minister for one day— Simulation of the Council of Ministers

Preparation Meeting “Become A Minister for one Day”

You got one of the coveted places for our simulation of the Council of the European Union? Then be sure to come to our introductory meeting. Here you will get all important information—we are looking forward to you! 

In cooperation with BETA Serbia and BETA Poland.

Italian Election – Why does it matter for the EU

Italy votes! Europe’s third-largest economy is facing an election that will influence not only national politics, but also the Europe of tomorrow.

Domestically, there are major challenges ahead: Unemployment, high energy prices, social division and rising costs of living. How will the parties respond to these? What is in the election programs? And what are the current poll results?

Find out at our community event! Organized by MeetEU members from Italy.

The Euro: Creation, Management and Current Challenges

If you live in one of the 19 euro countries, you have probably often asked yourself where this piece of paper with a number and the € sign gets its value from. During this event, we will to get to the bottom of this question together with the Central bank of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In the joint event, we will look at how the euro has replaced national currencies since 2002 and has become an integral part of everyday life for over 300 million Europeans. An everyday component, about which one also sometimes worries. Greek crisis, Corona and the war in Ukraine—the common currency has already survived many crises.

How is European financial policy responding to the current challenges and rising prices? And what role do banks play at the European and national level?

Let’s find out together!

In cooperation with the Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Germany

Russian Disinformation in the European Union 

Whether on media broadcasters or on social media, Russia has used disinformation campaigns to create narratives as far back as the 2008 invasion of Georgia. One strategy: Spreading conflicting stories about events in order to create uncertainty.

The Russian government is also using its influence on state-funded media houses in the Ukraine conflict. Already more than 5000 cases of misinformation related to Ukraine were collected by EUvsDisinfo since 2014. This is a project of the European External Action Service to counter disinformation campaigns.

We would like to find out more about how the European Union is responding to these campaigns and what impact they are having beyond continental borders.

Therefore, we are very happy to welcome Lutz Guellner from European External Action Service, an expert on Russian disinformation.

Join us and learn more about this important topic!

French Council Presidency 2022 – What happened in the EU since January?

The French EU Presidency (PFUE) is marked by the war in Ukraine, which has shifted the priorities in current EU policy. At the same time, France’s Presidency was seen as extremely ambitious and wanted to advance major projects of the European Union, including new laws for the digital space, a Western Balkans conference, and the strengthening of police cooperation. In this crucial situation, the French government(s) had to respond to the new challenges at the European level. 

What is the overall balance of the six-month PFUE, which achievements have been made, and how has France reacted to the war in Ukraine during the Presidency? 

As head of the Representation of the European Commission in Paris, Valérie Drezet-Humez has a special insight into what is happening from a European perspective. Join the Webinar and exchange with her.

With Ms. Valérie DREZET-HUMEZ , Head of the Representation of the European Commission in France 

The Next Generation of Democracy Makers

Yes, all these things are available, realized by volunteers from across the EU.

Get to know the minds behind those (digital) grass root projects and ask your questions.

With:
MEPAssistant
Hoog
Forum Götterfunken
Into Europe
MeetEU

By citizens, with citizens, for citizens – be there and join the discussion!

Sitting on the sofa and discussing Europe with people from across the Continent? Watching MEPs gaming and talking about current affairs? Becoming smarter with easy-to-understand videos on complex EU issues? …

Yes, all these things are available, realized by volunteers from across the EU.

Get to know the minds behind those (digital) grass root projects and ask your questions.

With:
MEPAssistant
Hoog
Forum Götterfunken
Into Europe
MeetEU

By citizens, with citizens, for citizens – be there and join the discussion!

Unreliable Renewables? Is Nuclear Energy the Solution?

In the European Union, it has been possible to find a common approach in many fields. But when it comes to the future of a (green), sustainable energy policy, the approaches to one key topic are handled completely different in the capitals: nuclear energy.

While in some countries nuclear energy is seen as the only way to produce CO₂-poor affordable energy, others doubt its economic viability and compatibility with the environment, in addition to its safety.

But do we need nuclear energy at all? And how independent does it make us?

Let’s discuss this in a community event.

The Conference Is Over, What’s Next?

On May 9, the Conference on the Future of Europe was ceremoniously closed with the words: “We are at a defining moment of European integration and no suggestion for change should be off-limits” by Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament).

For one year, citizens of the European Union were asked what the EU of tomorrow should look like. Hundreds of thousands took part in this historic democratic project, discussing their ideas, meeting with fellow Europeans, and developing recommendations on current and future challenges.  

Now that the final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe has been submitted to the EU institutions – what’s next?

What is going to happen with all these ideas?

We’ll put this question to Richard Corbett. He is a member of Conference on the Future of Europe Common Secretariat and one of the key figures in this process.

Communicating the EU Asylum and Migration Policy  

The war in Ukraine has led to millions of refugees, especially in Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. These countries are doing their best to welcome them while proofing solidarity among the member states.

Does the current situation represent a turning point in the European Union’s migration and asylum policy? How is the EU dealing with this crisis and is it succeeding in communicating its policy to EU citizens?

Let’s talk about it with Tina Zournatzi from the European Commission’s department for ‘Migration & Home Affairs’.

Let’s reduce EU educational inequalities – But how?

1 in 4 children in the EU is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. These children are more likely to underperform at school and have difficulty finding a decent job as adults.

This inequity has been reinforced by school closures during the coronavirus pandemic. Children from disadvantaged families often lack internet access, parental support or an adequate educational environment, which made learning more difficult for them.

This inequality must end. Because children are our future. What can the EU do to promote equal educational opportunities and stop social or geographical discrimination?

Let’s discuss this with Victor Negrescu (MEP S&D), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education. Ask your questions & share your ideas!

The Czech EU presidency in 2022 – What can we expect?

The Czech Republic is taking over the Presidency of the ‘Council of the European Union’ from July 2022. In the ‘Council’ government ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

For an EU country, the Presidency is an important tool to influence EU politics. The country holding the presidency sets the EU’s agenda and priorities during this period. In other words, it becomes the center of EU policy-making for half a year.

So what’s on the Czech’s republic agenda? Will the new pro-European government of Petr Fiala be able and willing to set an ambitious agenda for further integration of the Western Balkans? How will it contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine? And what are its plans for strengthening European defense capabilities?

With Martin Exner (STAN), Member of Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Europe Day – What Does It Mean to You?

On 9 May is Europe Day. On this day, citizens all over Europe celebrate the ‘Schuman declaration’ considered to be the beginning of what is today’s European Union.

How did you spend Europe Day 2022? Did you fly your flag? Did you attend any Europe events or celebrations? Did you perhaps even start an activity yourself? Or do you simply not care about Europe Day?

Let’s have a chat about the meaning of Europe Day for us. Whether it would be a good idea to make May 9 a public EU holiday. And whether there is something like a common European identity we celebrate on Europe Day.

Are we fit for 55?

For some time now, we have been hearing about the ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).

The fit for 55 package includes several proposals to revise and update EU legislation. It aims not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to be socially acceptable and not restrict competitiveness.

With the war in Ukraine, once again, the situation has changed considerably. So, what can we expect from the package? To answer these and other (your) questions, we have invited Professor Sebastian Oberthür.

As an expert in international environmental policy, he will help us to better understand the plan and the current situation.

EU Defence, What Does it Mean to You?

European battle groups, greater cooperation between member states, or even a common European army? The ideas about how the EU should regulate its defence are diverse.

But it has been clear since 2014 at the latest that a common military strategy is fundamental to responding (deterring) global threats. The strategic compass to be published in March is intended to create the appropriate framework for this.

Should the EU cooperate more closely in the defence sector? What form can cooperation take, and what challenges do it pose? Discuss with us!

Orban won big! Quo vadis, Hungaria? The EU in challenging times!

The Russian attack on Ukraine is dominating the news cycle. The EU is facing a major challenge regarding unity and strategy, which could challenge its survival. Under the cover of these critical events, the Hungarian election did not get the attention it deserves.

In the meantime we know the result: Victor Orban, always challenging the EU and Brussels, won a decisive victory last weekend.

In the course of today’s MeetEU event, we want to get a better understanding of why the Hungarian elections turned out as they did and what we can expect from Hungary going forward.

Can there be an AI based on European values?

Artificial intelligence brings many benefits. But there are also concerns, e.g. about facial recognition and algorithms influencing elections.

How can the EU protect its citizens from those risks? Will it be possible to create an AI grounded in European values – without falling behind in the global tech race?

Let’s talk about it with Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament and responsible for EU legislation on AI.

How to reduce our dependence on Russian energy supplies?

41% of the European Union’s natural gas imports come from Russia (Eurostat 2019). The member states of the EU send billions to Moscow every year and at the same time decide on economic sanctions with the aim of exerting pressure on Putin’s government. For many, this seems contradictory.

To make matters worse: Russia is also a major supplier of petroleum oils to the EU. So what can the EU do to become more independent? How quickly can our import sources be diversified, and most importantly, what if Russia turns off the gas tap tomorrow?

Let’s talk about it with an expert from the European Commission.

How to reach more young people? Conference on the Future of Europe

In November, we launched a campaign to raise awareness among young Europeans about the Conference on the Future of Europe. We have prepared material such as videos, a teachers’ website and an email template for students in all EU 24 languages. But we are not done yet, find out what’s next and how to get involved!

War in Ukraine – What’s next, EU?

The images from Ukraine shock us all, and the situation will inevitably lead to changes within the EU. On the one hand, it is a matter of integrating refugees; on the other hand, Russia’s invasion also calls into question Europe’s security policy to date.

Will the conflict lead to closer cooperation between the member states? Will the current situation put the issue of European Strategic Autonomy and defensive capability on the front burner?

The Europe of tomorrow, let’s work out proposals! Homeparliament by Pulse of Europe

With Klaus, MeetEU team member and active in Pulse of Europe we will participate in the next round of House Parliaments. What will we discuss? The role of the Council, ecological issues and more. You will receive an information package prepared by Pulse of Europe when you participate.

This event is exceptionally not a walk-in event, please register in advance at [email protected].

Be part of the next Generation of European Parliament Trainees! 

Be part of the next Generation of European Parliament Trainees! 

Together with a current trainee of the European Parliament at the liaison office in Munich, we will take a look at the Schumann internship: What are the tasks? Why should you apply, and most important: How can you apply?

Afghanistan – A wake-up call for an EU Feminist Foreign Policy? 

Traditional foreign policy focuses on military strength and national interests. Human rights play a subordinate role. More and more countries are therefore backing a ‘feminist foreign policy’. But what exactly is that supposed to be? Will it make our world more peaceful? And was the Taliban takeover in August 2021 a wake-up call for a new feminist EU foreign policy?

A chat with Hannah Neumann, Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA). She is Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee. Before joining the European Parliament, she worked as a consultant for peace projects.

Universal Basic Income in Europe – Is it possible or a utopia?

Universal basic income is a government program to alleviate poverty through periodic, fixed, direct payments to every citizen. Is it possible to apply this at a European scale? What advantages and disadvantages does it have?

Come discuss this topic with MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA).

Francisco Guerreiro has been producing a 12-episode documentary called “UBI: A path to freedom”, approaching the subject in a pragmatic way, with more than 50 interviewees with different perspectives on the subject.

A greener Europe – What should be done?

In May 2020, the European Union launched the Conference on the Future of Europe, nearly 13000 ideas were shared by citizens in 10 categories. During our event we will discuss some of the more than 2000 ideas on climate change and environment.

We will take a closer look at the most popular proposals and review, what we can support and what we might want to add. Just bring curiosity, we will prepare the rest!

Organized by MeetEU member Klaus. 

Snap elections in Portugal – What will the future look like?

As Portugal’s state budget was not approved by parliament, the president of Portugal dissolved the parliament and called the citizens to vote on January 30th.

Will the Socialist Party led by António Costa be able to stay in government and achieve a majority, or is Portugal going to have a different government? Come learn more about Portugal and its political parties on the 18th of January!

This event is organized by two political sciences students and MeetEU members from Portugal.

Conference on the Future of Europe – From the view of a participant

Hundreds of randomly selected citizens met in different European cities in order to discuss how our future in the EU should look like. During the four panels, they exchanged different views and worked on the proposals which will be later on discussed in the plenary. 

One of the participants will share his experiences, tell us what he enjoyed and what was difficult for him. 

Q&A session with Vasco, randomly selected representative of the Conference on the Future of Europe in the “Digital Transformation” area.

Register here – and we’ll send you an email reminder with the login details close to the event.

(Please note: You won’t get a confirmation email after registration. We will only send you a reminder email with registration details shortly before the event.) 

A day in the shoes of a Member of the European Parliament

MEPs are our representatives in the European Parliament, one of the three legislative branches of the EU. But what does that mean? What does an MEP actually do? And what does the day in the shoes of one entail? Find out more as we go through a day in the life of Maria Walsh MEP for the European Peoples Party in the midlands-north-west constituency of Ireland and ask her your questions on the role of an MEP.

How to Counter Foreign Interference?

Foreign interference is on the rise over the globe. Both the EU and Taiwan face unprecedented challenges and hybrid threats. What is the EU doing, what is Taiwan doing, and what can we do together?

Let’s talk about it with Member of European Parliament Markéta Gregorová (Piráti Czechia/Group of the Greens/EFA). Recently, she participated in European Parliament’s Taiwan visit to discuss disinformation and foreign interference there.

China’s Propaganda Efforts in the European Union

What influence does the Chinese propaganda machine have on political opinion in Europe? What alternative narratives are being tried to establish? Which problems are made to disappear? And how can Europe respond to those attempts?

Let’s talk about that with analyst Ivana Karásková, founder of MapInfluenCE, an international project mapping China’s influence in Central Europe. Ivana presented her research to Members of European Parliament and US Congress. Her research findings appeared in international newspapers, such as the The New York Times and Le Monde.

Conference on the Future of Europe – Let’s spread the message

Our future is at stake, but how many of our friends and family know about the opportunity to  shape it? Not enough! Even though much of the program is already behind us, let’s focus on the last weeks to motivate even more citizens to participate at the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Together with you, we want to discuss what the citizens of Europe can do to make the conference more known. At the same time, we invite you to participate in our new advertisement project, which will start next Tuesday!

A federal Europe – What are you talking about?

There is a lot of talk about a federal Europe, a United States of Europe. But what precisely is that? And why might we want more or less of it? In this event we want to explore different national perspectives and look for an overlap. We invite you to participate!

What if the EU became a federal state?

One of the most supported ideas on this year’s European Youth Event was a European Federation. How would it operate? What would it implement? And what would it mean for the future of the European Member States?

In our workshop, we will first examine the pros and cons of this scenario. Then we are going to work together to reshape Europe’s future by keeping in mind a European Federation.

EYE2021 – A trip to Europe: What we did and what’s next?

MeetEU had the great opportunity to participate in this year’s European Youth Event. More than 4,500 young people met in European Parliament in Strasbourg to give or attend workshops, to exchange views, meet with EU policy makers and inspire each other.

Join us to learn more about our activities there – right in the heart of European democracy.

Citizen-Mayors Talk – How To Realize The Green Deal in European Cities

As part of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the transnational Project MeetEU.eu organized a citizen-mayors
online event about the implementation of the European Green in the cities of Europe. As speakers, we welcomed Jeanne
Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg, and Katrin Habenschaden, second Mayor of Munich. The Event was structured in two
parts, first a Q&A and Ideas exchange on these questions:

I. How does your city maintain or even maximize green open
spaces?
II. What does your city to decarbonize city and suburban
transport?
III. What does your city to decarbonize buildings?

In the second half of the Event, citizens developed ideas regarding the three topics in breakout rooms. After, we came back to the plenary and discussed the ideas with Katrin Habenschaden.

I. Green spaces (Protecting existing & creating new ones)
II. New mobility concepts for goods and person
III. Speed up the decarbonizing of buildings

Elections in the Czech Republic: What it means for Europe

Next weekend, Czechs are heading to the polls. We speak with Adam Trunečka Vice President of Mladí Evropané – YEF CZ , to find out first-hand what is at stake in these elections.

Adam will explain to you the Czech political scene, who could form the next government, how this might affect the EU.

Adam, 21, is a political sciences student at Charles University in Prague. Currently, he is also an activist in the Stand For Something campaign, which encourages young people to engage with the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Stories from Europe – Tell us about your summer!

Most of us enjoyed the summer, travel was possible again, you could meet family and friends or spent the warm days in your region. Let’s talk about it! In a small round we want to show pictures, laugh together and hear your interesting stories.

If you haven’t traveled, don’t worry: your stories can be older.

European Expectations – What the New German Chancellor Should Deliver 

Poland’s freedom icon Lech Walesa believes powerhouse Germany should lead either a deeply reformed, or an entirely rebuilt European Union, in the wake of a possible Brexit. (Euractive 2016)

or

Germany with its tightfisted approach on Eurobonds, common debt and spending should get out of the way and leave the European leadership to more progressive countries like France and Italy. 

It is between these two positions that the expectations of European citizens vary.

Please be prepared to discuss the expectation of your fellow countrymen and -women! After a short introduction, you will have the opportunity to express your opinion.

Norwegian Election and a Post-oil Europe

Norway is today the second-largest exporter of natural gas to the EU, behind only Russia. Although not an EU member, through EEA and EFTA, Norway plays a significant part in EU energy policy supplying oil and between 18%-25% of the EU’s gas demand. For Norway, oil and gas equals about half of the total value of its exports, making them the most important export commodities in the Norwegian economy.

With a fragmented electorate, though, any Norwegian government coalition building looks to be dependent on the smaller parties, and they are calling for an end to oil and gas exploration. In a surprise move after trailing in the polls and with just two weeks before the election, incumbent Prime Minister, Erna Solberg’s government proposed overhauling how it taxes the companies that extract petroleum.

Some say, the changes risk calling into doubt the stability of the petroleum-based foundation of the Norwegian fiscal system and risks upending current EU energy policy. What does this hold for a post-oil Europe and how will it impact the politics of Norwegian oil and gas importers (Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Belgium, Denmark and others)?

Experience the EU from within – Q&A with Carolina, former Blue  Book Trainee at the European Commission

Would you like to work at the heart of the European Union? Attend meetings and public hearings in a multicultural environment? Research hot political topics and support the management of cross-EU projects? Don’t dream about it – give it a try! Anyone, regardless of age, can apply for a Blue Book traineeship at the European Commission. A Bachelor’s degree and good language skills are required. The duration of the internship is five months. Applications will be accepted starting August 2nd.

Carolina, a Blue Book trainee in 2020, tells you how to apply, what skills are required and what else you should know.

Register to join! https://meeteu.eu/registration/

Carolina is looking forward to answering your questions!

EU Election Proposal – Where are we standing today?

A lot has happened since we started developing the proposal: an exchange with MEP Daniel Freund, a detailed working paper, numerous discussions with you and European law experts – we are well on our way.

The feedback has left us with the question: What roles do European political parties play in our proposal? Is it enough to look only at European political groups? We are looking for answers to these questions, and you can help us find them!

Read the proposal and share your opinion during the event.

Slovenian Presidency: What are the main priorities?

Slovenia took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, moving to the center of European political events. However, the presidency comes at a critical time when many important issues need to be addressed, including the management of the Corona crisis. Under the motto “Together. Resilient. Europe.” Slovenia has set four priorities for the Presidency: recovery and greater resilience of the EU, reflection on the future of Europe, strengthening of the rule of law and European values, and security and stability in the European neighborhood. So what does it mean for Slovenia to hold the presidency? How will it implement its priorities? Who is involved in the presidency? What else is important to know? On Tuesday, July 6, at 5:00 CET, Nastja Klimencic Schmidt from the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Ljubljana, will introduce the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency and answer all your questions on the topic. The online event will be held in English on WebEx.

Summer is coming – Where are you going?

After a year of global pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing, this year we have again the opportunity to cross EU borders without big hurdles and experience the diversity of our Union.

Will you take the opportunity to catch up on all the trips you couldn’t make in the last months, or will you spend the summer relaxing at home?

Join us for a laid-back Tuesday evening talk – and see what everyone else is planning.

For new members, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with the MeetEU team.

This event will take place on Discord.

Mercosur & the EU – What brings the future?

In June 2019, a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay) was reached. Since then, news about the high use of pesticides, the danger for food safety and the increasing environmental impact of extensive agriculture in the regions have been accumulating. Paris in particular has increased the pressure, officially due to environmental concerns.

At the same time, the Portuguese Presidency is pursuing the goal of moving the agreement forward. What could we expect by the end of the Presidency? What does the delay mean for the general relationship with the trade bloc, and is the agreement compatible with the fight against climate change? And most importantly, could the Brussels effect lead to positive change (e.g. environmental protection in production) in the South American countries?

This event will take place on Zoom.

Register here to receive an email reminder with the login details.

Make Europe Grant’s again

Grant Gallacher is a young ‘Scottish Comedian Of the Year’ finalist fresh off his last sell out European tour, he has also appeared on BBC Radio Scotland, STV and has performed at both the Edinburgh Fringe and Glasgow International Comedy Festival for the last five years.

He now lives in Prague, hosts both the Making Europe Grant‘s Again podcast and the YouTube channel VisualPolitik, He is touring comedy shows all around Europe. Grant has been described as “Definitely one not to miss”, mostly by his mum.

Don’t miss our next event! Tuesday 15th June, 18:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time). Grant is going to tell us how he fled Brexit, how he came to be the host of one of the most successful political YouTube channels (over a million followers), about his podcast and how the beer in Prague is!

EU-Russia Relations in Shambles?

The frequency of confrontations between the EU and Russia once again seem to increase.

Mrs. Yana Toom from Estonia and part of the EU-Russia parliamentary cooperation committee is going to explain to us what’s at stake.

Don´t miss this unique opportunity to hear the situation explained by an expert and directly ask your questions to an MEP!

This event will take place on Webex.

Regional Differences in Europe – How Can we Overcome Them?

Europe is known for its famous cities like Paris or Rome. On the other hand there are rural areas like Alentejo and Transylvania. Having different regions with different economies and different needs in a united Europe presents us with great challenges.

To correct these imbalances the EU has launched several funds to strengthen economic and social cohesion, such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

What are these funds about, and where does the money go? Have these funds had any effect so far? Join us on our conversation with Pedro Marques, MEP S&D.

This event will take place on Webex.

The Conference on the Future of Europe – What Difference Can It Make?

“The future belongs to all of us and we should not take these decisions alone in the Brussels bubble”, said Iraxte García-Perez, President of the S&D Group, referring to the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE).

But will the EU institutions seize this great opportunity to share their legislative power with EU citizens? So far, European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU, only committed to examine the final outcome swiftly, without a specific roadmap regarding citizen’s input. Many citizens wonder: Will the Conference result in simple work documents or initiate treaty changes?

Share your hopes and ideas about the Conference on the future of Europe with Ms. García-Perez, member of the CoFoE Executive Board: Learn how the Conference is organized and how it could become a “game changer” in EU policy.

This event will take place on Webex.

Please register here to receive a reminder with the link.

Saving United Europe by Fixing the Election Process

This is what we will talk about on May 18 with Daniel Freund, who was elected MEP for the Green Party in 2019.

Elections for European Parliament lack focus on Europe. They are run nationally, by national politicians on national campaign platforms focusing on national issues.
In our talk we will zero in on two specific proposals to change that: First, the introduction of „Transnational Electoral Lists“, a concept that has been in the making since the ´90s. Second, the introduction of „Transnational Campaign Platforms“, an idea developed by the MeetEU team and submitted as a proposal to the Conference on the Future of Europe platform.

In our talk with Daniel Freund we expect to hear first hand from a frontline politician how he rates the pros and cons of these proposals as well as the likelihood of their adoption.

Join our talk on May 18th at 20:00 CEST to listen in and bring your thoughts to the table.

This event will take place on Webex.

EU’s Fight Against LGBTQI+ Discrimination

On May 12th, we talk with Maria Walsh (EPP), a member of the Irish LGBTQI+ community, who was elected an MEP in 2019.

What is our talk about? The EU was built on the fundamental values of respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and rule of law. These values are what unite all member states. Unfortunately, many EU citizens are not treated equally. EU member states ignore the rule of law to discriminate against EU citizens that are members of the LGBTQI+ community.

Despite the pressure of many activists and MEPs in the area the EU is still dragging its heels. The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) is an opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns on the treatment of their fellow EU citizens based on their identity. How can the CoFoE help EU citizens to achieve this?

Join our talk with Maria on Wednesday afternoon, May 12th.

This event will take place on Webex.

Active for gender equality! What is the EU doing and is it enough?

“The feeling of complete equality in the sibling line of my family was followed by a cold bath of disillusionment after the birth of my first child. As a young adult woman, I decided to fight violence against women and founded the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Hotline with other women in Rosenheim. Since that time, I think: Knowledge increases pain. But looking away is no longer possible.”

– Maria Noichl, European politician from Rosenheim, born in 1967, two sons, four grandchildren, trained specialist teacher for nutrition and design.

The Corona crisis has highlighted the gender inequality, while at the same time the current generation is growing up with the name “Generation Equal.” A contradiction, because many grievances existed before the pandemic, such as unequal pay for the same work and disadvantages in the labor market due to family situation.

“Equality for all and equality in all its senses” is one of the guidelines of Ursula von der Leyen. Fittingly, the European Commission has set up a Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, which addresses the current gaps. As the second program of its kind, it will have to address various challenges, the rising number of femicides and growing economic inequality.

What measures are being taken by the EU institutions and are they enough to achieve the gender equality already established in the 1957 Rome Treaties? Let’s talk about it with Maria Noichl, MEP S&D.

Speaker:
Maria Noichl (MEP S&D) 

One Year MeetEU – What brings the future

Dear MeetEU friends, one year ago we started this project and at that time we never imagined to be able to connect so many interesting Europeans. It is not only our guests – whether MEPs, activists, scientists or EU experts, but especially our members who have made this project what it is today.

The team behind MeetEU has dealt with many issues, not everything has always gone as planned, but looking back it has been a great time where you have given us the motivation to keep going.

“Keep going” is the word of the hour, every project is finite – MeetEU too. But we are not thinking about that at the moment, rather we have to use all our experience now to become active in the context of the conference on the future of Europe and turn all that knowledge we have built up into action now.

Let us take this step together, each of us in the areas that are particularly important to her or him. Let’s talk about Europe, let’s move it forward! Its up to EU!”

– Your MeetEU Team

In this event we want to talk about the past and at the same time think about the future. We will introduce you to May, which will offer MeetEU many new opportunities. We are looking forward to hearing you, bring cakes!

EU Migration Policy –  European (political) Family Drama 

Migration raises high hopes and deep fears: hopes for the migrants themselves, for whom migration often embodies the promise of a better future (Haas, p.1, 2019). At the same time, migration is met with ambiguity in the several European Member States and over the past couple of years, anti-migration views have grown among its European citizens.

Since 2015, the European Union has implemented several measures to control migration flows better (European Council, 2021). Europe is reshaping its EU Migration Policy, with deals like the EU-Turkey Migration Deal, expanding the border protection agency Frontex and trying to distribute migrants equally among its Member States.

What is the EU Migration Policy, what kind of deals has the EU in place and does it work? In this first session on MeetEU, we will discuss current policies and current events and explain the different types of migration. In our second session, we will attempt to invite an MEP and try to come up with solutions for a better migration policy.

FFF Climate Education Team

Do students understand the climate crisis to its full extent and complexity? The answer is no.
In our exchange we’ll be exploring the tools of developing an elaborate way of fighting the climate crisis.
Climate education has for years been an underrated topic – we’re here to change that once and for all. Join our presentation to find out about our demands and the pressure we plan to put on the European governments.
One does not simply miss out on that!

Who we are:
The Climate Education Team is a group of 80 young activists from 35 European countries, we are part of the Fridays for Future movement. The goal of our project is to get extensive climate education implemented in every educational institution across Europe. Our vision of climate education is a comprehensive curriculum rooted in sustainability and fostering humanity’s connection to nature. It aims to provide a holistic understanding of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis and its underlying causes and consequences, facilitate the development of sustainable innovations and solutions and empower students to actively engage in creating a just, sustainable society.

In cooperation with scientists we have formulated six main demands about climate education aimed at the governments of European countries. During our presentation we will present our long-term plans and visions about climate education.

ERASMUS – What’s the outlook for student exchanges between the UK and the EU?

Earlier this year, the UK not only left the European Union, it also withdrew from the Erasmus+ programme. The UK left Erasmus after 33 years and hundreds of thousands of participants. Instead, the UK has introduced the Turing-scheme, which is not considered by many to be an adequate replacement. Together with the Erasmus Student Network, we want to talk about the future outlook of student exchange between the UK and Europe.

Our Guests:

  • Kostis Giannidis, President, Erasmus Student Network;
  • Jacob Duane, President, ESN UK;
  • Natalia Flis, Education Officer, ESN UK

This event is going to take place on WebEx. Please register in advance before to join 

Bulgarian Parliamentary Election – Who is Who?

Bulgaria’s parliamentary election is held on April, 4. Before that, we take a look at the electoral system, the national parties and what’s at stake for Europe.

The Eurobubble on Twitch? An MEP-Assistant Presents His Project

First created to have a few laugh about the life as a parliamentary assistant, Mepassistant became one of the main satyrical (but not only) figure of the Eurobubble Twittosphere.

After leaving the European Parliament, he recently launched the first-ever Eurobubble channel on the popular live-streaming platform Twitch. This channel, through interviews and other events, aims to put faces on the European Union, learn about it, and to recreate positive contact and interaction between EU experts and EU citizens.

How did he come up with the project? Why Twitch? How does the organization work in the background and what is his motivation?

Let’s talk with him about how he realized his project and what challenges he faced. He will answer your questions and use your ideas!

Speaker:
MEPAssistant

This event is going to take place on Discord.

EU Election – Do they lack Focus Europe (2/2)

3 weeks ago together we looked at the process for picking the people charged with shaping Europe’s future. And we identified some weak spots in the process. This time we will look at a few ideas to improve on the process and give it a better focus on European issues.

Be sure to bring your Ideas and join us! 

Speaker:
Klaus from Pulse of Europe

EU for Climate – Let’s Act Now!

An Event in cooperation with Fridays for Future and Youth for Climate.  

On March 19, people around the world will take to the streets to once more raise awareness on the importance of opposing government policies that still do not take the 1.5 limit as an absolute must, even during the pandemic. In the EU alone, more than 130 rallies are planned in various cities.

What are they demanding from European politics, what are their fears and hopes? Why is the demand for “climate justice” crucial, and what does it entail? And what can we personally do against climate change?

Let’s get into a conversation, together with climate activists from different European countries we will talk about the current challenges for society and politics.

Portuguese Presidency: What are the main priorities?

Speaker:
Pedro Valente da Silva, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Portugal

Under the Portuguese Presidency, the EU should focus on three priorities: promoting a recovery that is “boosted by the green and digital transitions, ”delivering the “Social Pillar as a key element for ensuring a fair and inclusive green and digital transition” and “strengthening the strategic autonomy of a Europe that is open to the world.”

How can these objectives be achieved, in particular, those related to the social pillar?

Let’s talk about it with Pedro Valente da Silva, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Portugal.

This event will take place on Webex.

EU Elections: Do they lack Focus on Europe? (1/2)

Together we will take a look at the process for picking the people charged with shaping Europe’s future and discuss tweaks to the process. Be sure to bring your Ideas and join us! 

Speaker:
Klaus from Pulse of Europe

This event took place on Discord. 

Corruption – causes, effects, methods to prevent

Corruption is a complex phenomenon. It occurs in all societies, regardless of the political system, region or religion. The vast majority of people despises corruption. How can it then be that it is so resilient? The presentation discusses a few aspects of the many causes of corruption, their effects and methods how to fight back.

Speaker:
Dr. Michael Heisel, Transparency International

This event will take place on Zoom.

UK-EU Defence and Security Cooperation after BREXIT

Speaker: Dr. Ulrike Franke, European Council on Foreign Relations

Brexit has taken place, but when it comes to questions of strategic security and defence, the EU and the UK will need to continue cooperation. The UK remains in NATO, and it continues to share many strategic interests with the EU and its member states.

So what actually changed with Brexit? The EU has moved forward and established several defence cooperation projects, from PESCO (the permanent structured cooperation) to the European Defence Fund EDF. Partly, this was made possible by the UK’s exit, as the UK had been critical of more extensive European defense cooperation.

What will the future of UK-EU cooperation on defence look like? Is the UK interested in participating in EU projects such as PESCO and EDF, or will it rather seek to cooperate with individual EU member states? What are the economic interests behind close cooperation and is there any alternative?

Since Donald Trump’s presidency in the U.S., EU countries have realized that they need to prepare for the challenges of a changing world more independently. Will the UK, even with the Brexit, strive to position itself security-wise with the EU in this rapidly changing world? Let’s talk about this with Dr. Ulrike Franke.

This event will take place on Discord, for more information about how to join click here.

The German Council Presidency – Enormous Challenges, Historic Solutions?

-Michael Gahler (MEP in the EPP Group)

In July 2020, we welcomed Thilo from the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Berlin, who told us about the goals and challenges of the next six months under the German Presidency. Now, seven months later, we would like to look back on progress made during the German Presidency. Our guest will address the challenges of the pandemic for the EU and explain how the German Presidency has responded. What solutions were found to problems and did the decisions taken break new ground? How far have other goals (e.g. EU-China investment agreement) been achieved, which were set long before the pandemic?

Let’s talk about this with the MEP Michael Gahler…

… who has already experienced some global challenges since his first election to the European Parliament in 1999. Today he is the foreign policy spokesman of the EPP group.

This event will take place on WebEx, for more information about how to join click here.

The Situation in Belarus – What Significance Does It Have for the EU?

– Sebastian Gerhardt (diplomat at Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU)

The demonstrations in Belarus continue, and the government in Minsk, even after massive international pressure, is not willing to comply with the demands for a new, free and fair election or even a resignation. How did this come about? What has been the EU’s position in the past and what is the country’s significance for the European Union?

Let’s talk about this with Sebastian Gerhardt, who worked for the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany as an expert on Eastern Europe in Moscow and now uses his knowledge for the Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU.

Let’s watch Europe! BIG TECH In the EURegulations & Opportunities  

Debates about the big five (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple) have increased in recent years, while at the same time news about record fines and competition violations have piled up.

Together we will watch a video from TLDR Europe and then talk about whether and how the EU should regulate big tech companies.

Strategic autonomy – Can a United Europe do without it?

“The strategic independence is our new common project for this century,” said EC President Charles Michel. Emmanuel Macron has been applying strategic autonomy to everything from France’s defense sector to European industry …

What is it? What is it not?

Come join our exploration of EU’s latest catchphrase. As always followed up with a lively discussion among committed European citizens.

Thank you Klaus (Pulse of Europe) for organizing this Event!

ERASMUS in Lithuania – my adventure in the Baltics

with Lars Berndt, ERASMUS student from the Netherlands

“Lithuania, a destination unknown to many Europeans. One of the three Baltic states, a gem in the North-East of Europe. With only a population of roughly 2.7 million people, of which most of them live in the main capital Vilnius. This is where my story begins, along with many other Erasmus students. My name is Lars Berndt, a student in European Studies from The Netherlands. I have stayed in Lithuania for almost a full semester, learned about their history, culture, seen the beautiful wilderness and met new people from all over the European continent.”

MeetEU Christmas Quiz

How much do you know about the EU? Find out in the MeetEU Christmas Quiz! Besides a lot of interesting questions (… and answers) you have the chance to win great together.eu merch.

If you make it to the top 3, you can expect an

EU Christmas parcel with branded badges, bags, can openers, flags, etc. A big thank you to  our prize sponsor: the European Liaison Office in Berlin.

What you need to prepare:

  • You need your smartphone (for choosing the answers) and another device, e.g. PC or notebook, with the Discord app installed (to see the questions).
  • On the device with Discord installed you have to join our live stream in Talkroom 1. To do so click the LIVE button.
  • On your smartphone, go to https://kahoot.it and enter the game code that will be displayed in our live stream (Talkroom 1)
  • On Kahoot, please choose the same name that you use on Discord.

European stories – Our adventures!

No matter if it’s for work, study or just to explore. We have all traveled through Europe and experienced exciting stories. Let’s talk about them! Meet interesting people, listen to thrilling situations and share your own favorite adventure with us on MeetEU!

The European contribution to the climate crisis. Will EU mitigate emissions at the necessary rate?

Martin Hojsík (Slovakia), MEP Renew Europe

Timothée Galvaire, Assistant of Pierre Larrouturou (France), MEP Socialists & Democrats

It is about our future! In December, climate policy decisions will be made that will define the goals for the next decades. Your opinion interest us! Together with representatives of the European Parliament you have the opportunity to discuss the upcoming political appointments:

  • On 12 Dec, we will be celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, but what is there to be celebrated? Have the European countries, gone anywhere near the climate goal we should have reached after 5 years of the COP 21 meeting?
  • On 10-11 Dec, at the Summit of the Council of the EU in Brussels, the heads of states and governments of the 27 countries will meet to decide upon the 2030 emissions reduction target. Will the Council of the EU come up with a bold target, that meets the urgency and scale of the challenge we face?
  • It will also be decided whether to introduce a TFT (= Tax on Financial Transactions) to finance climate, health and social issues: Pierre Larrouturou, who is the current budget rapporteur for the European Parliament, went on hunger strike for 18 days in Brussels, to break the resistance of French and German governments against the introduction of this Tax.

Our guests will be asked to give their thoughts in three successive rounds – after each round there will be plenty of time for all participants to enter into contact with them and ask questions directly. You’re in?

__

A  short overview about the TFT can be found here: Tax on Financial Transactions 

Thank you Claudine for sharing it! 

Africa and the EU – Together towards a better future?

With Hildegard Bentele, MEP,
Group of the European People’s Party, Member of the Committee on Development

The African continent is growing the fastest in the world, the population is longing for prospects and countries like China are increasingly intensifying their relations with the countries in the region. In the last two years, the EU’s priorities in Africa have focused particularly on building a pan-African union, investing in the population, for example by promoting education, and integrating a common African market. How does the future of cooperation between African states and the European Union look like and by which common interests is it driven? What foreign policy significance does Africa have for the EU?

Freedom of speech –a predetermined breaking point for our society?

The session is organized by Klaus from Pulse of Europe.

The murder of Samuel Paty in France again has put the flashlight on the basic human right of Free Speech and those who reserve the right to kill if their feelings are hurt by somebody exercising this right. Yet from suppressing political opinions, hate speech to the battle about the validity of science and sheer manipulation in times of social media there are numerous issues in between.

We want to spend this session on understanding where we actually stand, what is at stake and discussing the issues.

Live Report from Brussels: the New EU Climate Law

Speaker:
Michael Bloss, MEP, Greens/European Free Alliance

The EU aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The new EU climate law will form the basis for the transition to a green economy. As you may imagine, there are different opinions on this in the member states;) One of the negotiators is MEP Michael Bloss. Tuesday night, he‘ll tell us where we stand now and what the biggest sticking points are.

Transnational European HomeParliament

The project – set up by the civil society organization Pulse of Europe – is organised under the patronage of President Ursula von der Leyen.

What is it about? In groups of 4-8 people, you discuss the Future of European Solidarity.

The 3 core questions are:

  • Should wealthy EU member states provide more economic support to member states that are particularly hard hit by crises?
  • Should the EU invest more in social policy measures to tackle social inequality between the member states?
  • Should the EU, in the interest of future generations, primarily focus on environmentally friendly innovation and jobs?

Download for participants

The results of the discussions are sent to Ms. von der Leyen and 29 members of European Parliament, such as Manfred Weber, Othmar Karas, Gabriele Bischoff, Fabienne Keller, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Martin Schirdewan, Ska Keller, Pedro Marques, Lukasz Kohut and Damian Boeselager. They will comment on the results on a digital platform and will invite you to this discussion.

Nini Tsiklauri presents her new book:‘Lasst uns um Europa kämpfen’

Nini Tsiklauri is an actress, writer, political activist and passionate European, who grew up in Hungary, Georgia and Germany. As an actress, she is known for ‘Die Wilden Kerle’ and ‘Schloss Einstein’.

Nini studied political sciences in Austria. She is also an initiator of the PulseofEurope movement in Austria. Her new book „Lasst uns um Europa kämpfen“ (Let’s fight for Europe) offers a new perspective to understand and feel the European Union. Nini charges Europe with strong emotions and provides a do-it-yourself rescue plan for the EU. A very private and at the same time highly political book.

Please be informed that the reading is in German. Questions can be asked in English.

Green Deal: Will the pandemic turn out green?

Speaker:
Delara Burkhardt, MEP, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

The European Commission defined the Green Deal as a roadmap to transform Europe into a sustainable and carbon neutral continent by 2050.

However, will the pandemic push that goal to the background? Or has the COVID-19 crisis shown that we can take radical and immediate measures? That is what we’d like to discuss with Delara Burkhardt, MEP and a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

Child Rights and Germany’s 2020 EU Council Presidency

The German Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2020 comes at a crucial time for children: We are facing an unprecedented crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic and we entering the Decade of Action to deliver on the SDGs until 2030. Progress for children has been significant globally, but challenges to the realization of all rights for all children everywhere, especially the most vulnerable ones, remain.

We want to discuss UNICEF’s recommendations for the German EU-Presidency such as a comprehensive EU Child Rights Strategy, an impactful partnership between the EU and Africa for children and a child-focused humanitarian response

Speaker:
Lydia Berneburg, UNICEF Germany

European HomeParliaments by Pulse of Europe

We like to present you a cool initiative: the European HomeParliaments by Pulse of Europe.

What is it about? A HomeParliament is a meeting of 4 to 8 people who discuss an European question. Anyone can become a host of such a HomeParliament. The citizens’ movement Pulse of Europe provides you with all the documents.

The results of your discussions do not end up in a drawer somewhere, but are sent to EU policy-makers, like Ursula von der Leyen, Manfred Weber, Ska Keller or Damian Boeselager.

Hendrik Michel from Pulse Of Europe Frankfurt will show you how it works and how you can participate.

The 3rd round of European HomeParliaments takes place from 19 September to 1 November 2020.

Speaker:
Hendrik Michel, Pulse of Europe Frankfurt

Let’s meet, MeetEU!

A half year is over, we would like to use the opportunity to look together with you over the past months and talk about the future of MeetEU.

The State of the Union speech of Ursula von der Leyen in front of the European Parliament

On 16 September, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver the annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament. Afterwards the Members of the European Parliament will discuss the main challenges for the coming year. The day before the speech, Georg Pfeifer, Head of the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Germany, and Jörg Wojahn, Representative of the European Commission in Germany, will give an online briefing on the upcoming speech and answer your questions.

Workshop: Introduction to the EU-institutions

How is the European Parliament elected? How do the EU Institutions work together? And how does the EU pass new laws?

These and more questions are touched upon in our workshop. You will gain valuable knowledge about the European Union and its institutions or refresh the knowledge you already have. This will prepare you to follow EU politics more closely and understand the processes that unfold in Brussels.

So join us on 11 August 2020 at 18:00 CEST and learn more about the EU-Institutions.

Every participant will receive a certificate of attendance by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Germany.

Speaker:
Frank Burgdörfer, Expert in Team Europe of the European Commission, Lecturer for European Policy at the University of Koblenz-Landau

Conspiracy Theories in the Coronavirus Pandemic

Prof. Butter is Vice Chair of the COST Action “Comparative Analysis of Conspiracy Theories” and Principal Investigator of the European Research  Council (ERC)-funded project “Populism and Conspiracy Theory (PACT). The project investigates the significance of conspiracy theories for populist movements in different European countries (Austria, Hungary, Italy, Poland), Brazil and the United States.

Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Michael Butter (University of Tuebingen)

The Western Balkans: EU members of tomorrow? – Progress and challenges in the accession process

The Western Balkans play the central role in the EU’s enlargement plans, but how likely is it that the accession conditions can be met in a region where other global actors are increasingly trying to assert their interests?

Let’s talk about this with Michael Gahler, MEP & Foreign Policy Spokesman of the EPP

Speaker:
Michael Gahler, Member of the European Parliament

Brexit Talk with #EUsupergirl Madeleina Kay

What is it like to be young, pro-European and British while the UK has officially left the EU on 31 January 2020? The withdrawal of the UK from the EU, which became widely known as Brexit, agitated British society in many ways. In the course of Brexit, Madeleina Kay became a vocal pro-European activist in her country, which earned her the name #EUSupergirl.

On 4 August 2020 at 18:00 CEST she will share her experiences of the last years and will show you Brexit from a very personal angle.

Assessing the European recovery and budget package – A glass half full or half empty?

What you need to know about the Columbus laboratory and other ESA projects

What is Europe actually doing in space? What is the Columbus module? And what is ESA?

Speaker:
Lucas, German Aerospace Center (DLR)

EU Election Proposal – Where are we standing today?

A lot has happened since we started developing the proposal: an exchange with MEP Daniel Freund, a detailed working paper, numerous discussions with you and European law experts – we are well on our way.

The feedback has left us with the question: What roles do European political parties play in our proposal? Is it enough to look only at European political groups? We are looking for answers to these questions, and you can help us find them!

Read the proposal and share your opinion during the event.

German Presidency of the Council of the EU

Germany is set to hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July 2020. Many pressing topics need to be solved, such as Brexit, the long-term budget of the EU and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. What could it mean for Germany to preside over the Council of the EU? How can it shape the presidency? Who is involved? What will be important?

Speaker:
Thilo, Press Officer at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Berlin

First generation academics as European bridge builders? – Why social diversity in EU institutions matters

People with a migration background and those from non-academic families are strikingly underrepresented in the work environment of the EU. The initiative “ArbeiterKind Brüssel” wants to encourage more first generation academics to study or work in Brussels and at the same time raise awareness in the European quarter about their special skills and qualities – for instance as ambassadors of the European idea which can comprehensibly explain EU affairs to broader parts of society.

Speaker:
Benedikt from the initiative “ArbeiterKind Brüssel” (literally ‘Working class child Brussels’).

Situation of the Judiciary in Poland

Let’s analyze together: Where do we stand? How did we get there?

Speaker:
Klaus, Pulse of Europe

The EU Immune System: The Infringement Procedure How does it work? Does it work?

You have no idea what we are talking about? Great. You definitely should join our talk next week;)

Speaker:
Klaus, Pulse of Europe

Career Opportunities within the European Institutions

If you are interested in a career within the EU institutions, make sure to join us in Talkroom 1.

Speaker:
Jill (PR Officer), Astrid (PR Officer) and Annika (Trainee) from the European Parliament Liaison Office in Berlin

How can the European Union provide equal education for all?

Poverty and social exclusion are depriving many European children of educational opportunities. What can the European Union do to guarantee every child a fair start in life? How can it ensure access to higher education for all ?

Speaker:
Moritz Wille, high school student in Germany

Factual overview on the EU’s financial response to the Corona crisis

After the talk you can ask questions and discuss with us how can we combat the economic fallout, what long-term recovery strategy we need and if there should be a spending control on EU level.

Speaker:
Willemijn de Jong, PR Officer and former official at the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) Secretariat of the European Parliament, the Netherlands

The Challenge of Mastering the Pandemic and its Economic Impact jointly

To give you some background: On May 19th (18:00 CET) we’ll have the exclusive opportunity to talk to Willemijn de Jong, PR Officer, Liaison Office European Parliament Netherlands, about the EU‘s financial response to the Corona crisis. In preparation of this event we want to identify what we deem to be the key questions so that we can get real benefit from the availability of this EU PR Officer.

See and Change / Book Reading with Leonhard Hepermann

Speaker:
Leonard Hepermann, a young German together.eu volunteer. His book is about what should the new Europe look like? How do we manage the ecological transformation? After the reading you can ask questions to Leonhard and discuss visions for a future Europe.

Coronavirus app – what’s going on in your country?

Several EU member states are designing smartphone apps to help track the spread of Covid-19. Tell us what is the situation in your home country? Should the app be mandatory or voluntary? What about data privacy versus public health? Will Europe succeed in pushing through a common standard?

Introduction by Klaus, Pulse of Europe

The pandemic as a fresh start for a more climate-friendly Europe?

Speaker:
Lars, Bachelor student European Studies, the Netherlands

The pandemic as a fresh start for a more climate-friendly Europe?

Speaker:
Lars, Bachelor student European Studies, the Netherlands

How European do you feel?

Most of us on this server are European citizens – but what does it mean to feel European? Get you a cold drink (or a hot coffee) and tell us.

ERASMUS and Covid-19 – Your questions please!

“I wanted to go on ERASMUS this summer – can I leave the country?” — “I have already booked my trip to start my ERASMUS semester – but my host country has closed its borders. Will I be refunded?” ERASMUS in the time of coronavirus raises many questions.

Speaker:
Michel Boehm from ERASMUS Student Network Germany (ESN)