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Jun 21 2018
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Crossing Borders (Janów Podlaski)

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Context

The title of this year’s GEF Green Summer Academy in Poland is ‘Crossing Borders’, a phrase charged with meaning and symbolism, considering the fact that the event will be taking place near the borders of Poland with Belarus and Ukraine, as well as within a region with diverse cultures, dialects, languages, and religions.

About the event

The event includes several major themes, such as:

  • The future of Europe in the context of changing geopolitics and the upcoming European Parliamentary elections
  • Climate change and preparing for the COP24 Climate Change Conference in Katowice
  • Green visions for farming, nutrition, and rural development
  • Green visions for local governance, with particular emphasis on regional assemblies, and transition cities in alignment with the ideals of the Commons and urban movements

Through several workshops, round tables and expert debates, the event will feature discussions on fighting pollution, cities of equal chances, preventing corruption and the role of art and artists in citizens-led activism and the political transformation of Poland in a European context. The participants will also engage with the local community and local activists and learn about new green transborder initiatives and opportunities.

Through its diverse programme, the Green Summer Academy in Poland connects the dots between politics and society at local, regional, national, European and global levels.

Programme

Thursday July 12

16:00 – 19:00 Local expeditions in small groups

17:00 – 19:00 Meeting with local active inhabitants on projects of local development opportunities in a transborder context

Friday July 13

9:30 – 10:00 Opening speeches

10:00 – 12:00 What future for the Eastern Europe in EU?  (Debate)

Speakers: Rebecca Harms (Member of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament), Paweł Kowal (College of Europe, Natolin), Małgorzata Tracz (Partia Zieloni, Poland), Michał Sutowski (Krytyka Polityczna), Moderator: Bartłomiej Kozek (GEJ), Adam Ostolski  (GEJ, Krytyka Polityczna, Partia Zieloni)

12:00 – 13:45 Creating Socio-Ecological Societies through Urban Commons Transition. Lecture ‘Cities in transition’

Lecture: Dirk Holemans (Green European Foundation Board Member and Director of the Flemish Green Think Tank Oikos

Cities in transition 

Speakers: Dirk Holemans (Ghent in transition with Michel Bauwens), Sergi Alegre (El Prat and Barcelona),  Hanna Gill-Piątek (innovative revitalisation in Łódź), Marcin Gerwin (citizens’ panels in Gdansk and Lublin), Roger Manser (London Great Parc), Moderator: Dagmara Misztela (Partia Zieloni, Poland)

14:45 – 15:45 Artists as change makers (Debate)

Speakers: Ela Hołoweńko, Cecylia Malik, Michał Kasprzak, Joanna Kessler. Moderator: Gert Roehrborn

15:45 – 17:45 Panel debate 

  • Food and farming past revolution and its consequences (Key note), Thomas Waitz, MEP, EGP Committee 
  • The CAP today and tomorrow, the Green perspective (Key note), Andrzej Nowakowski (GGEP) 
  • From industrial agriculture to agroecology and food sovereignty? (Debate), Andrzej Nowakowski (Advisor on Agriculture and Rural Development in the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament), dr Katarzyna Bańkowska (IRWiR PAN), Izabela Mier (Cooperative Dobrze), Ben Lazar (Nyeleni Polska/permaculture), Dorota Metera (expert in certification), Maria Staniszewska (ecological NGO), Adrian Sulikowski (conventional farmer/Green Party), Katarzyna Jagiełło (Greenpeace), Justyna Zwolińska (SGGW, Poland). Moderator: Ewa Jakubowska-Lorenz, (HBS Warszawa)

18:00 – 19:45 Parallel programme in Janów Podlaski and Biała Podlaska

21:00 – 22:00 ‘No Problem!’ by Yasmin Kidwai, documentary projection

Saturday July 14

9:00 – 11:00 Parallel Sessions I 

  • Future of work (Adam Ostolski, Bartlomiej Kozek)
  • Economy and climate change (Roger Manser, Przemek Stępień)
  • Rivers exchange of knowledge part I (Alesia Basharymava, Volha Kasevitch, Uladzimir Zuyeu, Petro Hrystiszyn, Heorhiy Veremiychyk, Oleksandr Husiev, Sascha Maier, Mikhail Durkin, and members of the Save the Rivers Coalition, moderators:  Ewa Leś, Sascha Maier)

11:30 – 13:00 Parallel Sessions II

  • Seminar ‘Green farming: Campaigning against GMO, why and how’ (Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart (Strefa Zieleni), Juliette Leroux (Greens/EFA)
  • City of Open Chances (Hanna Gill-Piątek, Aleksandra Kołeczek)
  • Rivers exchange of knowledge part II (Iza Zygmunt, Maria Staniszewska)

14:00 – 16:00 Parallel Sessions III 

  • Green media for the climate (Beata Nowak, Bartek Kozek, Jamie Kendrick (GEJ), Annabelle Dawson (GEJ), Monika Matus (Democratic Action), Wojciech Szymalski (Institute for Sustainable Development), Ilona Jędrasik (Client Earth Lawyers for Earth), Hanna Schudy (EKO-UNIA), Monika Sadkowska (RT-ON), Marcin Harembski (SMA/CAN + Climate Coalition) and others, Moderator: Katarzyna Ugryn)
  • Green regional program: clean air, green jobs, integrated public transport and enthralled hunting (Małgorzata Tracz and Paweł Pomian)
  • Rivers working groups E30 and E40 coalitions (Ewa Leś, Sascha Maier, Maria Staniszewska, Petro Hrystiszyn)

16:30 – 18:30 Parallel Sessions IV

  • Towards COP 24 (Roger Manser (urbanist), Beata Nowak (Zielone Wiadomości), Monika Matus (Democratic Action), Wojciech Szymalski (Institute for Sustainable Development),  Ilona Jędrasik (Client Earth Lawyers for Earth), Hanna Schudy (EKO-UNIA), Monika Sadkowska (RT-ON), Marcin Haremski (SMA), Patryk Białas (Skype), Maciej Smykowski (Partia Zieloni), Katarzyna Ugryn (HBS), moderators: Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart (Strefa Zieleni), Artur Wieczorek
  • Seminar ‘Green farming: How organic farming can be developed in Poland and EU’ (Monika Styczek- Kuryluk, Andrzej Nowakowski, Dorota Metera, Dr. Katarzyna Bańkowska, Ben Lazar, Rober Kuryluk, and others. Moderators: Iza Mier, Julia Rokicka)
  • Rivers plan of action (Izabela Zygmunt, Ewa Leś)

18:45 – 19:30 Summary and closing

Sunday July 15

7:00 – 9:00 Local expeditions in small groups

 

Participation fee:

The full fee of 500 PLN (570 PLN with transfer) should be paid by bank transfer to the account of Fundacja Strefa Zieleni:

66 1020 1097 0000 7602 0237 0450, title: ‘Green Summer Academy participation fee’

(from abroad: IBAN: PL66 1020 1097 0000 7602 0237 0450, Swift/BIC: BPKOPLPW)

The lower participation fee is possible when registering before June 25

Registration/more information:

Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart +48-664673700 ewa.sufin@strefazieleni.org

Urszula Sadlowska +32 (0)2 234 65 73 urszula.sadlowska@gef.eu

 

The Green Summer Academy “Crossing borders” is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Fundacja Strefa Zieleni and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

The debate on transitioning cities towards the Commons is organised as a part of the international project “Creating Socio-Ecological Societies through Urban Commons Transition” by the Green European Foundation with the support of Fundacja Strefa Zieleni and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Jun 12 2018
Love0

Colours of Green (Graz)

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Context

Following the loss of the Austrian Green party during the national elections in 2017, the entire Austrian Green movement is at a crossroads. ‘Green Repositioning’ aims to start a process of re-organising the Green movement and to come up with a new Green narrative that links ecological and social concerns and lays out how to master the Great Transformation based on solidarity and resilience. A clear positioning and a joint understanding of socio-ecological politics based on Political Ecology will become a cornerstone in reinventing the Austrian Green movement. This ‘Green Repositioning’ project consists of several different events throughout the year all over Austria.

Within this framework, GEF will organise a Summer Academy with the support of Grüne Bildungswerkstatt.

About the event

Three key areas – six workshops – one Green identity. Following this motto, the Summer Academy will function as a laboratory within the ‘Green Repositioning’ project currently implemented by the Austrian green foundation Grüne Bildungswerkstatt.

Following the Regional Ideas Lab, organised by the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and the European Green Party on the days before the Summer Academy, the event will continue lively debates with change makers and pulse generators from all over Europe.

The aim is to develop working theses for the following three key areas that were identified:

  • Environment & Ecology
  • Democracy & Media
  • Economy & Future of Work

The project ‘Green Repositioning’, including the GEF Summer Academy, aims to contribute to a new Green narrative that answers the question ‘Where will the Green movement be in 2030, and how can it contribute to a better future?’.

Three workshops will be organised in English. The detailed programme will be available on this website soon.

Registration

Register now for the GEF Summer Academy in Graz by following this link.

The participation fee for the event is 60 Euro (including catering during the event). For further questions, send an email to sommerakademie(at)gbw.at.

May 28 2018
Love0
Democracy

Good Governance, Good Practices (Valletta)

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Context

During recent years, examples of bad governance, such as the Panama Papers, the Luxleaks, Dieselgate as well as the Paradise Papers, and so forth, have emerged and raised questions about the rule of law, and fueled the rise of populism and EU scepticism. Not the least, Malta, the smallest of the European Member states, has come to the fore as a prominent journalist, who was investigating the Panama papers, was murdered in 2017.

An exchange on best practices of good governance on a European level is therefore urgently needed.

About the event

The one-day conference will discuss good governance in Malta and in the EU. Amongst other topics, the role of public services in Malta and the current state of play of governance in the European Union will be addressed. This project will enable participants to discuss issues and the way forward both on a local and EU level.

This public event will gather Green politicians and activists, civil society activists and journalists to discuss these matters while providing a platform for networking among Greens and civil society organisations active in the field.

Programme

9:00 – 9:30 REGISTRATION

9:30 – 9:40 WELCOME:

Danika Formosa, Project Co-ordinator, Ceratonia Foundation

09:40 – 09:50 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: THE EUROPEAN GREEN MOVEMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE 

Aurélie Maréchal, Director Green European Foundation

09:50 – 10:10 THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE 

Dr George Vital Zammit, Deputy Dean (FEMA), Lecturer, Department of Public Policy

10:10 – 10:40 CLIENTELISM AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: IS CO-EXISTENCE POSSIBLE?

Prof Godfrey Pirotta, Professor at the Department of Public Policy, University of Malta

10:40 – 11:00 SPEAKERS DISCUSSION WITH PARTICIPANTS 

Chaired by Mario Mallia, Deputy leader of Alternattiva Demokratika

10:45 – 11:00 COFFEE BREAK 

11:00-12:00 THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY OF GOVERNANCE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Nóra Köves, Human Rights Activist, Fundamentum

Ioana Banach, Deputy Director Green European Foundation

Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart, Director Fundacja Strefa Zieleni

12:00 – 12:20 GOOD GOVERNANCE AN ESSENTIAL BUILDING BLOCK FOR MALTA’S REPUTATION

Dr Harry Vassallo, Former Chairman Alternattiva Demokratika

12:20 – 12:50 SPEAKERS DISCUSSION WITH PARTICIPANTS 

Chaired by Mario Mallia, Deputy leader of Alternattiva Demokratika

12:50 – 13:00  CLOSING REMARKS

Carmel Cacopardo, leader of the Green Party

Registration

The registration for the this event can be found here
If more information is required, feel free to contact us on: ceratonia@alternattiva.org.mt

To stay tuned for GEF updates, follow us on Facebook or Twitter to learn about our other activities.

 

Mar 12 2018
Love0
UBI - Basic Income

Universal Basic Income – a Green Answer to the Future Challenges of the Labour Market? (Antwerp)

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Context

In 2017, the Green European Foundation started, with the support of different national partner foundations a transnational project on basic income with the objective to refine the concepts behind Universal Basic Income and contribute to the Europeanisation of the debate while taking into consideration the huge differences of social security systems across Europe. To this end, we formed a basic income expert group with representatives of Spain, Catalonia, Switzerland, Germany, Serbia, Belgium and Greece. In 2018, the focus of the ‘Basic Income for all EU Citizens?‘ project lies on the financial concepts and on formulating first ideas for a European pilot project on basic income that can deliver comparable results for different European countries.

About the event

During this session, we aim to make the link of those discussions to the broader debate on the future of work and whether basic income can become part of the Green answer to the challenges the labour market is currently facing. At the same time, the session shall serve as an opportunity to exchange on examples and different ideas of Green parties across Europe.

We will organise an interactive session, using the “fish bowl” method: the discussion starts in a semi-circle with one moderator and the three panelists and two empty chairs; after the  first input by the moderator and the three panelists, the audience is invited to fill the empty chairs and take the role of panelists themselves; after the input the chairs have to be left to other participants.

Finally, the workshop will provide an opportunity to present the results of a planned survey we launched on the state of play of the UBI debate within the different Green parties across Europe as well as in the national public discourses.

Moderators

Ville Ylikahri, GEF Board Member, Secretary General in the Green Cultural and Education Centre – Visio in Finland, representative of project expert group for Finland;

 

 

Susanne Rieger, GEF Co-President, responsible for European issues and European relations in the Catalan Green foundation Fundació Nous Horitzons (FNH), Project coordinator of the GEF transnational project on Basic Income.

 

 

 

Speakers

  • Wolfgang Strengmann-Kuhn, Member of Parliament, Germany
  • Julen Bollain, Member of the Basque Parliament, economist & researcher specialised in unconditional basic income, Spain
  • Predrag Momcilovic, Executive Committee Member Federation of Young European Greens, journalist, PhD student on political ecology and degrowth, Serbia
  • Irina Studhalter, Local Councillor Lucerne & political campaigner, Switzerland
  • Natalie Bennett, politician and journalist, former leader of Green Party of England and Wales, United Kingdom

 

Stay tuned for updates

Subscribe to our Facebook event, where you will receive reminders and the latest news on content. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to learn about our other activities.

 

Jan 31 2018
Love0

The Potential Impact of Brexit on the Prospects for a Green Transition in Europe

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Context

In a referendum on 23 June 2016, 51.9% of the participating UK electorate (the turnout was 72.2% of the electorate) voted to leave the EU. On 29 March 2017, the British government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union. The UK is thus on course to leave the EU on 29 March 2019.

This event has enormous implications not only for the future of the EU as a polity, but also for the green transition to a sustainable society and economy which is the fundamental aim shared by Green parties across Europe. The Green European Foundation therefore decided, with the help of its national project partner organisations, coordinated by Green House think tank in the UK, to hold a series of public discussion events over the course of 2017 to explore those implications.

About the project

The project aimed to examine these questions on a comparative European basis, involving selected EU member states for which Brexit raises particularly pressing issues, related either to their relationship with the UK or to their own national political situation (or both).

The rationale behind the project was two-fold. Firstly, it was intended to provide a platform for the exploration of the possible short- and medium-term impacts of Brexit on environmental and economic policies directly affecting the transition to sustainability, both in the UK and in the rest of Europe. Secondly, it was motivated by the belief that the Brexit decision in the UK raises urgent and difficult questions about the continuing coherence and effectiveness of the EU as a polity, at least in its current form, and whether it still represents the best vehicle for the achievement of sustainability in Europe in the long term.

The results and key finding are summarised in this paper. Free digital version is available for download below.

Dec 11 2017
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Green Salon: A Green Vision on Future Scenarios for European Defence

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The project aims at creating a sheltered space for Green-minded politicians and experts to critically explore political issues and build sharp answers to today’s challenges.

A Green Vision on Future Scenarios for European Defence

The first Green Salon – A Green vision on future scenarios for European defence – took place in Brussels on 18 October 2017. It was an invitation-only event that addressed Greens from the European and national level as well as independent experts and thinkers from across Europe to feed-into the debate with their expertise and assist Greens in discussion and fine-tuning their ideas and positions.

The first Green Salon addressed the topic of the future of European defence, which has re-emerged on the European agenda, raising questions as to its direction, ambitions and goals that urgently need to be addressed.

Format

The opening reflections of the two main contributors, Nicoletta Pirozzi, Istituto Affari Internationali, and Sven Biscop, Egmont Institute, served as a spring board for the debate. After their input, an open discussion between all participants under Chatham house rules formed the core of the event and was moderated by Kristine Berzina, German Marshall Fund of the United States.

The two main contributors’ role was to launch the debate by ‘feeding’ the audience with information and provocative food for thought on the current state of play and debates around European defence, thereby enabling participants to engage into discussion.

Following the event, two videos were produced, focusing on:

  • The explanation of the Green Salon concept:

  • A summary of the debate on the future of European Defence Policy, featuring 3 speakers (Nicoletta Pirozzi, Kristine Berzina and MEP Bodil Valero):

 

Nov 03 2017
Love0

EGAT session on EU politics in Czech Republic

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Training in Czech Republic for green-minded, young and curious minds

As part of our transnational project “European Green Activists Training”, which this year consists of training sessions for young Green activists from Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Croatia and Malta, we are organising a special training weekend with a focus on the European dimension between 15 and 17 December 2017 in Czech Republic.

During this weekend, we will discuss how political processes at the national and European levels can be realistically influenced. The participants will gain a critical insight into how the EU works and we will provide space for discussion about ongoing challenges and specific policies together with relevant guests and experts.

As a special element of this training, the participants will gain an exclusive access to our online course IMPACT EUROPE – which will enhance their critical understanding of the European Union, provide them with an analytical overview of the Green movement in the context of contemporary politics at the European level, as well as with insights into ways of generating political impact as a European citizen.

Application process closed

The deadline for applications was 08 September 2017. Stay tuned for similar opportunities next year and shorten the wait by going through our online course!  For more information about this opportunity, please visit Akumulátor webpage.

Nov 02 2017
Love0

Greens in Negotiations, EGP Council Karlstad

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Join the Green European Foundation and the Heinrich Böll Foundation European Union for a new workshop in their “Greens in government” series!  This event will take place at the upcoming EGP Council in Karlstad, on Saturday, 25 November 18h45-20h30. During this workshop we will dive in the preliminary stage of governing and discuss first-hand insight with Green parties’ representatives who are or have recently been in a negotiation process to enter a coalition government. The participants will get useful insights into relevant questions, such as:

  • What makes a deal (un)acceptable?
  • Should Greens engage with everyone? 
  • What are reasonable conditions for a coalition government? 

 

Nov 02 2017
Love0

Reinforce the Green Network through Digital Learning, EGP Council Karlstad

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Context

The Green European Foundation promotes education and training and provides opportunities for building capacity and encouraging networking amongst Green actors across Europe. To this end, we have developed, together with the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, an e-learning programme, which uses information and communication technologies as a platform for sharing best practices and learning activities.

Workshop at EGP Council in Karlstad

This workshop will discuss the potential of online learning programmes as a means to empower green activists, parties, foundations and ultimately citizens. A particular focus will be placed on assessing the resources available and training needs ahead of the 2019 elections. This event will take place on Friday, 24 November, 13h30 – 15h15.

More information available on our Facebook page.

Participants will receive a copy of the GEF & Greens/EFA publication “How to develop an online course”, which is aimed at Green organisations, Green parties, civil society initiatives, educational institutions or any other actors interested in developing online courses as tools for political education.

Nov 02 2017
Love0

Impact Europe: Online Course for Green Activists

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Within the framework of the Capacity Building programme, the Green European Foundation, together with the Green Group in the European Parliament, developed an online educational platform, which is currently hosting the Impact Europe module – an online course, primarily for young, green-minded citizens, who want to influence the decisions made at European level and shape their own future. Throughout this course, we analyse the past, present and future of the EU, the battles Greens carry continuously at European level and why they matter, as well as ways in which you can become engaged in order to shape the future of Europe – the Europe you want to live in.

WHAT IS THE COURSE ABOUT?

Based on unique content, this course serves as a stimulating learning environment which provides a critical understanding of the EU and the functioning of its institutions. Impact Europe addresses some of the most pressing issues in Europe: the Future of the European Union, Trade, Environment and Food Safety, Migration etc. as well as giving insights into Green political movement and an opportunity to discover ways to be part of a European network of activists. You can watch our campaign video below.

WHO CAN TAKE PART?

The course is free and open to everyone. All participants who complete the course will be rewarded with a certificate co-signed by the Green European Foundation and the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament. Furthermore, they will get a chance to become a part of the Alumni Network with access to other exciting opportunities, such as internships, traineeships and vacancies.

Teaming up with the European Green Party to make the course more accessible, Impact Europe is available in English, French, Spanish, and Polish.

HOW TO SIGN UP?

It’s easy – sign up on this page: www.gef-learning.eu! In case you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us at learning@gef.eu.

Oct 18 2017
Love0

EGAT session on EU politics in Finland

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Training in Finland for young Green activists with a strong interest in Europe

This training s a part of our transnational project “European Green Activists Training”, and will provide opportunities for 20 participants to learn more about the institutions of the European Union, Green politics and sustainable development policies.

As an additional element of this training, the participants will gain an exclusive access to our online course IMPACT EUROPE – which will enhance their critical understanding of the European Union, provide them with an analytical overview of the Green movement in the context of contemporary politics at the European level, as well as with insights into ways of generating political impact as a European citizen.

The EU Session

The Green European Foundation will contribute with a special session with the focus on Europe, the EU and the Greens on 1st and 2nd December in Helsinki. Find our more about the programme below.

Programme

The first day will consist of a visit  to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Department of Europe, and a workshop entitled ”Simulation of European Parliament” facilitated by the members of Young European Federalists of Finland.

During the second day, the participants will take part in thematic workshops, listed below:

  • “Basics of the European Union Politics” – Sirpa Hertell, Chair of the Europe Working Group of the Green Party;
  • “European Green Party and Greens at European Level”, Oras Tynkkynen, Board Member of the European Green Party;
  • “Climate Politics in the EU”, Tuuli Hirvilammi, Researcher, PHD, University of Jyväskylä;
  • “Food Policy and Security”, Carl Schlyter, Member of the Swedish Parliament and former MEP;

The EU training session will be accompanied by training session on national politics and culminate in a study visit to Brussels in Spring 2018, in which the participants will complement their training by experiencing the European political dimension first-hand.

Application process closed

The deadline for applications was 31 August 2017. Stay tuned for similar opportunities next year and shorten the wait by going through our online course!

Oct 13 2017
Love0

Roundtable: Brexit and the implications for a Green Europe (Berlin)

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The event is a part of the ongoing transnational project “The potential impact of Brexit on the prospects for a Green transition in Europe” which attempts to support the much-needed public discussion of Brexit’s impact on individual Member States, as well as on the EU level, while exploring what this means for the Green movements’ endeavour in the transition to sustainability.

Programme

9h00-9h10 Welcome – Sergey Lagodinsky (Head of Department EU and North America, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung)

9h10-9h20 Where do we stand with Brexit and what’s next? – Ray Cunningham (Green House Think Tank UK)

9h20-9h35 Commentary – Cornelius Huppertz (Department Northern Europe, Foreign Ministry Germany)

9h35-10h20 Discussion

10h30-12h00 Panel 1: The impact of Brexit for a Green Europe

Viviane Gravey (Lecturer, Queen’s University of Belfast)
Jonathan Gaventa (E3G, Director Brussels)
Katharina Umpfenbach (Senior Fellow Ecologic Institute, Berlin)

12h00-13h00 Lunch

13h00-14h30 Panel 2: Does Brexit possible offer opportunities for a deepening of democratic structures in Europe?

Jean Quatramer (tbc) (European Correspondent, Libération, Brussels)
Giles Merrit (tbc) (Friends of Europe, Brussels)
Klaus Linsenmeier (Director Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU office Brussels)
Thierry Chopin (tbc) (Director, Jacques Delors Institute, Paris)

The panels will be moderated by Brexit expert, blogger and green activist Jon Worth.

15h00-16h00 Wrap up: What are green positions and demands during the Brexit negotiations? How should we as Greens position ourselves? 

Moderation: Sergey Lagodinsky (Head of Department EU and North America, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung)

Registration:

In order to participate in this debate, please register by sending an email to Claudia Rothe at: rothe@boell.de.

Results:

The report from the event is available in German here.

Sep 14 2017
Love0

Brexit and the Green Transition in Europe (London)

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This event is the concluding conference the ongoing transnational project “The potential impact of Brexit on the prospects for a Green transition in Europe” which attempts to support the much-needed public discussion of Brexit’s impact on individual Member States, as well as on the EU level, while exploring what this means for the Green movements’ endeavour in the transition to sustainability.

Six countries are taking part – France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Sweden and the UK. In each country, we are organising public debates with a particular focus on the implications of Brexit for that country. All these events are linked by a common framework of questions, and the concluding conference – in London on 11 November – will bring together representatives from the all the participating countries and organisations for mutual learning and planning.

PROGRAMME

1. Morning session: UK focus
10.30 Registration, coffee + tea
11.00 Welcome and introduction from GEF Co-President Lucile Schmid and from Panel Chair Norman Baker (former UK Minister for Transport)

11.15 Keynote presentation: Molly Scott Cato MEP
11.45 Responses from a panel of experts including Caroline Lucas MP,  Prof. Peter Newell (University of Sussex) and Rupert Read  (Green House)
12.15 Chaired discussion with panel and audience
13.00 LUNCH

2. Afternoon session: European focus
14.00: Introduction by Session Chair Nuala Ahern, Green Foundation Ireland and former MEP for the Irish Green Party
14.15 Presentations on the national events and perspectives:

  • France: Dr Viviane Gavey, Queens University Belfast
  • Poland: Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart, Director, Polish Green Foundation
  • Ireland: Prof. John Barry, Queens University Belfast
  • Sweden: Mikael Karlsson, President, European Environmental Bureau
  • Germany: Terry Reintke, MEP

15.15 Chaired discussion with panel and audience
16.15 Closing remarks from Jean Lambert MEP
16.30 – 18.00 Wine reception

REGISTRATION

Participation in this event is free of charge. Drinks and food will be available for a small charge. To confirm your attendance, please register here. If you have any questions, please send an email to the project coordinator Ray Cunningham.

RESULTS

The results of the event are published here.

Aug 22 2017
Love0

Transition to Sustainability in Europe post-Brexit (Belfast)

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The event is a part of the ongoing transnational project “The potential impact of Brexit on the prospects for a Green transition in Europe” which attempts to support the much-needed public discussion of Brexit’s impact on individual Member States, as well as on the EU level, while exploring what this means for the Green movement’s endeavour in the transition to sustainability.

Debate in Belfast

“Transition to Sustainability in Europe post-Brexit” will be a one day event, consisting out of critical debates in which prominent speakers will provide insights into potential impacts of Brexit in the context of Ireland and the EU.

What are the implications and impacts of Brexit for the Green transformation of Europe? Are there progressive political potentials in the wake of the referendum decision in the UK last June and the ongoing political turmoil it has created? How should Greens and other progressives understand the rise of populism across Europe? And what are the likely impacts of Brexit for the island of Ireland?

All thematic sessions and confirmed speakers are listed below:

1. Brexit and Progressive Politics (10h – 11h)

SPEAKERS:

  • Ray Cunningham – Green House Think Tank
  • Steven Agnew – Green Party Northern Ireland
  • Stevie Nolan – Trademark
  • Chaired by John Barry – Queen’s University Belfast

2. Brexit and Sustainability in Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe (11h15 – 12h30)

SPEAKERS:

  • Emily Hunter – RSPB
  • Nichola Hughes – SNI
  • James Orr – Friends of the Earth
  • Chaired by John Barry – Queen’s University Belfast

3. Brexit, the Border and Futures for Ireland and Northern Ireland (13h30 – 15h30)

SPEAKERS:

  • Clare Bailey – Green Party Northern Ireland
  • David Phinnemore – Queen’s University Belfast
  • Mark Daly – Senator, Fianna Fáil
  • John Kyle – Progressive Unionist Party
  • Katy Hayward – Queen’s University Belfast
  • Chaired by John Barry – Queen’s University Belfast

4. Roundtable discussion on ‘Populism, Brexit and the European Green Movement’ (16h – 17h30)

SPEAKERS: 

  • Dick Pels
  • Lee McGowan – Queen’s University Belfast
  • Chaired by Ray Cunningham – Green House Think Tank

Please note that the programme is not finalised yet, more updates to come soon!

Registration

This event is free of charge and open to everyone. To confirm your attendance, please register here.

For more information please contact the Green Foundation Ireland via email to info@greenfoundationireland.ie!

Jul 24 2017
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“After Brexit?” Debate in Stockholm

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The event is a part of the ongoing transnational project “The potential impact of Brexit on the prospects for a Green transition in Europe” which attempts to support the much-needed public discussion of Brexit’s impact on individual Member States, as well as on the EU level, while exploring what this means for the Green movements’ endeavour in the transition to sustainability.

Debate

In this event, we will provide space about potentials impacts of Brexit in the Swedish and European context. The discussion will have a special focus on the areas of environmental cooperation, trade and exchange. It will feature prominent speakers engaged with the topic, such as:

  • Caroline Lucas – Party leader of the Green Party of England and Wales;
  • Max Andersson – Green MEP from Sweden;
  • Johan Kuylenstierna – Policy Director at Stockholm Environment Institute.

The debate will be moderated by Swedish politician Maria Wetterstrand.

The participation in the even is free of charge.

Jun 29 2017
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Citizens Building a New Europe

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According to its citizens, immigration, terrorism, the economic situation and the state of member states’ public finances are the most important issues facing the EU. Less important, but still in the top 10, are unemployment and climate change. According to the latest Eurobarometer, a staggering 54% thinks that their voice doesn’t count in the EU. News about terror threats, refugee crises, budget cuts and corruption don’t paint a rosy picture of the reality we currently live in. Populists thrive on fear, human rights and freedoms are questioned and cynicism among citizens seems to be winning ground.

At the same time however, an ever-increasing number of citizens strike sparks in this seemingly dark tunnel, by developing social-ecological initiatives. To rebuild communities from the bottom up, to revitalize a more sustainable economy and to strengthen ties of solidarity and care, while governments struggle to manifest our common identity. Everywhere in Europe, hopeful democratic citizen initiatives emerge in fast pace. And knowingly or unknowingly, they are already making a difference, whether it be small or big, by building social and sustainable alternatives within the current neoliberal model of fear. Like swimmers against the tide, citizen movements get organised to take domains like production, finance, energy and care back in their own hands. So, join us for a walk through Europe and explore some of these exciting initiatives, because this is how citizens react to the policy of fear and austerity in our disrupted societies.

Digital version is Spanish is available to download here.

Jun 23 2017
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“Europe after Brexit. Will a green transition still be possible?” (Poland)

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Theme:

Brexit will have a huge impact on the UK and EU economies and on virtually every area of policy, which increases the need for public discussion of that impact and the choices that will have to be made to deal with it. Beyond that, it calls into question the coherence and effectiveness of the EU as a polity, and as a vehicle for the Green movement. Greens are committed to the belief that European countries can make the transition to sustainability more quickly as a coordinated polity (the EU) than as individual states or societies but this assumption may need to be re-examined.

The event is a part of the ongoing transnational project “The potential impact of Brexit on the prospects for a Green transition in Europe” which attempts to support the much-needed public discussion of Brexit’s impact on individual Member States, as well as on the EU level, while exploring what this means for the Green movements’ endeavour in the transition to sustainability.

This debate took place during the Green Summer Academy in Puszczykowo, Poland, organised with the support of Fundacja Strefa Zieleni.  It featured a discussion amongst prominent politicians and experts listed below. The debate was moderated by Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart (Fundacja Strefa Zielenie) and Bartłomiej Kozek (Editorial Board Green European Journal).

Speakers:

  • Video introduction by Philippe Lamberts (MEP Greens/EFA);
  • Debate with Dr Ray Cunningham (Green House Think Tank, UK), Lucile Schmid (GEF/Fondation de l’Écolgie Politique, France), Marek Kossakowski (Partia Zieloni), Kuba Gogolewski (Koalicja Rozwój TAK – odkrywki NIE).

Registration:

To register for the Summer Academy of Fundacja Strefa Zieleni, please send an email to: Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart at ewa.sufin@strefazieleni.org

 

Jun 06 2017
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What impact will Brexit have on the ecological transition in Europe? (Paris)

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On March 29, 2017, Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, triggered article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union and thereby activated the procedure of withdrawal from the European Union, which the country had joined in 1973.  Amongst all the controversies around Brexit, there is also the question on the impact of the UK’s withdrawal on ecological policies in Europe. Climate, energy, protection of biodiversity, agriculture and environmental standards are the range of policy fields concerned and not all domains are affected in the same way.

How will ecological policies evolve in an EU without the United Kingdom? Will Brexit change the European civil society that is mobilising on environmental issues?

The language of the event was French. Speakers were Viviane Gravey (PhD and Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast) and Claude Turmes (MEP in the Greens/EFA). Debate was facilitated by Benoit Monange, director of FEP.

 

More Information

Registration: Please sign up for the event here

Date/Time : 27 June 2017, 18:30-20:00

Venue: Maison de l’Europe,  29 Avenue de Villiers, 75017 Paris, France

Apr 20 2017
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European Youth Conference 2017 in Gdańsk

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The three-day Conference in Gdańsk addressed issues including globalisation and European and nationalist answers to it. From  24 to 26 July, we explored the current challenges to open societies and inclusive democracies, and how people risk being divided along lines of integration and identity. Moreover, the programme included practical workshops and ample space for networking.  

We discussed important points of reference and processes that are shaping the worldview of engaged young Europeans, who on an everyday basis are searching for ways to make a socially responsible, just and sustainable Europe happen, and also focus on the causes of and reactions to growing feelings of uncertainty, injustice and fear in EU member states in a beautiful setting at the Baltic Sea.

GEF Workshops

The Green European Foundation contributed to this conference with three relevant workshops:

  • WIDEN YOUR OUTLOOK – NETWORKING SESSION (Tuesday, 25 July, 15h-17h): To face today’s challenges, it is crucial that grassroots movements and activists connect with each other and collaborate to strengthen their impact. This session reflected the needs of youth leaders to expand their network and identify resources which the other organisations/ participants present at the event can offer them.
  • ONLINE LEARNING FOR GREEN POLITICS (Tuesday, 25th of July, 17h30-19h00): During this workshop, we shared the experience of Green European Foundation in developing e-learning programmes. Furthermore, the workshop provided an interactive space for exploring ways in which the participants can make use of new (online) technologies to advance their own learning and activities.
  • TELLING THE STORY: GETTING YOUNG GREEN VOICES HEARD (Wednesday, 26 July, 11h-13h): This workshop aimed to give participants some tips and tools to make their voice heard. From coming up with an angle to turn an important topic into a compelling news story, to pitching their proposal and getting their work published – we walked them through the steps to get their story out there.

More Information

Other useful information can be found here: http://calendar.boell.de/de/event/european-youth-conference or you can send an email to eyc2017@pl.boell.org.

Registration: Applications closed on 30 April 2017

Date: 24 to 26 July 2017

Venue: Europejskie Centrum Solidarności I European Solidarity Centre, Gdańsk (Poland)

Mar 20 2017
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European Green Activist Training Finland

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Also in 2016, young green-minded people gathered in Helsinki for a training on European topics as part of the Green European Foundation’s transnational project European Green Activist Training.

The training was organised in parallel to similar trainings in Catalonia, Czech Republic and Hungary, and culminated in a common study trip to Brussels to experience the European Union first-hand.

 

Programme

December 2

15:00h: Visit to the European Commission’s Finnish department and to the European Parliament’s Finnish information service; ‘EU in a nutshell’ – Jarmo Oikarinen and Timo Pulkkinen

17:30h: Green in Europe and in the EU – Laura Norström (MEP Heidi Hautala’s assistant, on maternity leave)

19h30: Me, an European? – Jesse Jääskeläinen (Young European Federalists Finland)

December 3

10:00h: Discussion on the Future of free movement in the world of Trump and Brexit – Kati Pietarinen, Markus Himanen, Laura Nordström and Hussain Kazemian

12:30h: EU policies workshop – Riikka Tähkävuori

15:00h: Hate speech and human rights in Europe – Niko Pyrhönen (University of Helsinki)

17:00h: How can I influence on policy making? – Filipe Henriques

19:00h: Dinner with Alan Haji, a syrian refugee

December 4

10:00h: Climate policy – Tuuli Hietaniemi (Kepa)

13:00h: NGO and the EU – Anssi Pirttijärvi (Seta)