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European Union Representatives to Present Forum on the EU's Future Nov. 24

Story posted November 17, 2008

What is the future of the European Union?

Bowdoin College will host a forum addressing this question, featuring four representatives from the EU, at 4 p.m. Monday, November 24, 2008, in Main Lounge, Moulton Union. The forum is open to the public and admission is free.

In the past decade, the European Union has marked several historic achievements. In 2002, it launched the Euro, a common currency since adopted by fifteen states. The EU also engaged in an unprecedented expansion, adding 12 new members since 2004 for a total of 27 member states. The Union now hosts 495 million citizens, a market larger than that of the United States.

However, challenges for the European Union loom on the horizon. The global financial crisis places pressure on the monetary union. The possibility of further expansion to include Turkey and the Balkan states is highly controversial. A treaty establishing a European Constitution designed to streamline governing institutions was never ratified.

Should the EU now be focusing on broadening its membership to spread freedom and prosperity throughout Europe? Instead, should the EU focus on deepening integration and increasing its legitimacy among the citizens of current member states?

Four representatives of the European Union will speak to these questions and others in this lively forum on the future the United States' most important ally.

The participants will be:

François Gauthier, Consul General of France
Constantin Orphanides, Consul General of Greece
Carlos Robles, Consul General of Spain
Bernd Rinnert, Deputy Consul General of Germany

The panel discussion will be moderated by Laura A. Henry, assistant professor in Bowdoin's Department of Government and Legal Studies, the event's sponsor.

For more information call 725-3295.

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