European Union but How? Social Democratic-Leftist Perspectives on Europe

Date: May 31-June 1, 2013
Place: santralistanbul Campus, E1-301

Europe’s views on Turkey and Turkey’s views on the EU have been problematic for a long time. The long-lasting asymmetrical relationship between Turkey and the EU is no longer sustainable. While there is hope that Turkey-EU relations will be revived as a result of the current political and economic changes in the region, it does not seem likely that this will adequately meet the expectations of the European and Turkish publics. Above all, unless this asymmetrical relationship becomes symmetrical it will be  hard to claim that Turkey-EU relations are on a strong foundation. 

For many people, inside and outside of the EU, Europe symbolizes -above anything else- a union where values such as democracy, human rights, equality, social justice, peace and solidarity are a priority. While different political groups acknowledge those values, they also attribute new meanings to them or disagree over priorities. Europe had dificulties in overcoming the latest financial crisis yet for this very reason. If the New European idea is solely based on national expectations and interests and transnational views are not adopted, success is bound to be hampered by fruitless debates. It is also problematic to consider the EU merely an economic union.

As we feel the urgent necessity to discuss the “New Europe” thesis we have organized this discussion panel and workshop on the topic “Social Democratic - Leftist Perspectives on Europe” with participants from various countries. We have invited experts from Germany (as one of the engines of the European Union), England (as the country which has a different relationship with the EU), Greece (in the context of the latest crisis) and Hungary (as a new member of the EU and a former member of the Eastern Bloc) to present their views. We hope that the experiences of these different countries will provide us with a more comprehensive and realistic perspective for Europe.

Method:
After an introductory panel discussion during which participants from different countries will share their opinions, there will be workshops about three main issues.

The outcomes of these workshops will be shared with the participants and discussions will be held on the second day. A more detailed report on the outcomes of the workshops will be made public later on.

PROGRAM:

May 31, 2013 Friday

10.00 – 10.15 Opening Speech: Dr. Nils Schmid (Deputy Prime Minister of Baden Württemberg and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany in Baden-Württemberg )

10.15 – 12.30 Opening Panel: The Dream of a New Europe?
Moderator: Ayhan Cıngı
Discussants: Dr. Ernst Hillebrand (Germany), Dr. Glenn Gottfried (GB)
Prof. Dr. Zoltan Pogatsa (Hungary), Nikos Kaskavelis (Greece)
Prof. Dr. Ayhan Kaya (Turkey)

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch Break

WORKSHOPS:

I. Workshop: A Europe for Pluralism and Human Rights  
Moderator : Dr. Esra Arsan
Location : E1-302

II. Workshop: A Social and Solidarist Europe
Moderator : Belma Akçura
Location : E1-303A

III. Workshop: A Europe for Peace and Solidarity 
Moderator : Bekir Ağırdır
Location : E1-304

13.30 – 14.30 Lunch

13.30 – 14.30 Workshop (Continued)

14.30 – 14.45 Coffee Break

14.45 – 15.45 Workshop (Continued)

15.45 – 16.00 Coffee Break

16.00 – 17.00 Workshop (Continued)

17.30 – 19.00

Moderators, minute takers and organizators working together to revise the results. (Not open to public) 

1st June 2013, Saturday

10.00 – 12.30 Sharing of workshop results and Forum discussions.
Moderator: Hüseyin Çakır

The language of the conference is English. There will be simultanous translation during the opening panel.