In 1941, while interned on the island of Ventotene, Ernesto Rossi, together with Altiero Spinelli and Eugenio Colorni, wrote the Ventotene Manifesto.
80 years on, Europe once again faces the challenge of how to build a free and united Europe.
Rossi and his co-authors of the manifesto believed that Europe’s future could only be secured through the creation of transnational institutions which would make war between the nations of Europe impossible.
Today the challenge is as much about building a shared democratic culture and identity as it is about building common institutions.
That is why the Conference on the Future of Europe, an unprecedented exercise in citizen engagement across Europe is so important.
This weekend in Florence, a team of expert facliators will hold the final (third) session of one of four European Citizens’ Panels, each with 200 randomly selected citizens from across the EU.
On the eve of this important event, we ask members of the public to join us at an information and discussion evening about the Conference on the Future of Europe and why it matters.
Join us and our expert panel, for what promises to be a lively and informative evening.
Take the opportuity to have your say about what happens next in Europe.
Speakers
Martin Andler
President, Initiative for Science in Europe
Antonella Braga
Author, Un federalista giacobino, Ernesto Rossi pioniere degli Stati Uniti d’Europa
Roger Casale (Moderator)
Founder, New Europeans
Valerio Giannellini (Introductory remarks)
Vice-President, Fondazione Rossi Salvemini
Ulrike Liebert (Panelist)
Visiting Fellow, Transnational Democracy Initiative, European University Institute, Fiesole
Alexandrina Najmowicz (via zoom)
Co-chairwoman, CSOs Convention on the Future of Europe
Bent Noerby Bonde
Secretary General, Europe’s People’s Forum
Stefano Sotgiu
Senior Facilitator, Conference on the Future of Europe
In association with the Fondazione Rossi-Salvemini