State of Europe Forum 2016. The paradox of freedom - how can we sustain Europe's freedoms in the face of multiple threats?, Amsterdam - Main contents

date	May 8, 2016 10:00 - May 9, 2016 17:00
city	Amsterdam
location	Zuiderkerk
organisation	Dutch Presidency of the European Union (EU2016NL) i

The Schuman Centre for European Studies together with the Christian Political Foundation for Europe (CPFE) , organise the “State of Europe Forum” annually on Europe Day, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950. This is the recognised birthdate of what has become the EU. It is held in the capital of the country holding the presidency of the EU, (Budapest 2011, Copenhagen 2012, Dublin 2013, Athens 2014, Riga 2015…and now Amsterdam 2016).

Purpose

The aim of the SOEF2016 is to evaluate Europe today in the light of the vision of EU Founding Father, Robert Schuman, for Europe as a ‘community of peoples deeply rooted in Christian values’: equality, freedom, solidarity and peace. The forum is open for politicians, church leaders, civic leaders, educators, academics, media specialists, activists, and all concerned with the future of Europe. It aims to result in an action agenda for politicians, voters, churches, organizations and individuals.

2016 Amsterdam edition

The SOEF2016 is themed:

The paradox of freedom - how can we sustain Europe’s freedoms in the face of multiple threats?

This year’s forum will begin, as in previous years in Riga (2015), Athens (2014) and Dublin (2013), with a public celebration in a prestigious location: this year, the Zuiderkerk.

In Amsterdam-’the most liberal city in the world’ (Shorto)-we take a look at threats to Europe’s freedoms today. 2015 saw major challenges to the future of the European project, with the polarisation following the influx of Syrian refugees revealing ‘true’ values of many Europeans. Freedom is one of the EU’s stated values. But what does it mean? And how much do we believe in it? Freedom for all, or only freedom for ourselves? We aim to examine the paradoxical nature of freedom which requires boundaries and sacrifice to sustain.

SOEF2016 wants to address issues on: