Main topic of the discussion was the growing mistrust of the EU among Europeans. Many citizens perceive the EU as being too distant and too bureaucratic. As Dutch citizens prepare to cast their vote for the European Parliament on 22 May 2014, the debate could not be have been more timely. At a moment in history when mistrust among citizens goes far deeper than the economic crisis, we have discussed the future of the EU. The speakers proposed different scenarios: should we go back to the basics, undo the mistakes of the past? Dismantle the euro? Should we leap forward towards a fully-fledged political and economic Union? Or should we focus on finding new ways to involve citizens in the continent’s future? The public and panelists contributed to the discussion offering their views on immigration, EU borders, how Europe is perceived in the rest of the world and on the social and economical differences within Europe.

The programme featured two keynotes speeches:

The first one by George Pagoulatos, Professor European Politics and Economy, Athens University of Economics & Business; Member of the Governing Board, ELIAMEP, Athens, who presented the five strategic options of the New Pact for Europe,