Round table tomorrow looks at future of EU in wake of economic crisis

What does the economic crisis in Europe mean for the future of the European Union? That’s the question York faculty from economics, public policy and history will grapple with at a round table discussion tomorrow.

Round table Discussion: The European Union in Crisis? will take place from 2 to 4pm at 305 York Lanes, Keele campus.

Right: European Union Central Bank in Frankfurt

Containing the recent economic meltdowns of the Greek and Irish economies has provided the EU with one of the greatest tests in its history. With further European economies threatening to come unhinged, the challenges facing Europe seem likely to increase in the weeks and months ahead.

The event, co-presented by the European Union Centre of Excellence at York, the Canadian Centre for German & European Studies and the Schulich School of Business’ IMBA program, is designed to offer a variety of perspectives on the current EU crisis.

The round table will include adjunct economics Professor Theodore Tolias of the Schulich School of Business, history Professor Sakis Gekas, Hellenic Heritage Foundation Chair in Modern Greek History in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, and public policy Professor Burkard Eberlein of the Schulich School of Business, whose work on international governance contributes to the study of mechanisms to coordinate policy-making in fragmented, multi-level institutional settings such as the European Union. Eberlein is also coordinator of the CCGES graduate diploma.

The participants will reflect on the following:

  • Is the Eurozone/European Project at a crucial turning point?
  • Is it sustainable in its present form given the huge income inequalities even within the Eurozone and even more among the European Union countries?
  • Is a new “social contract” within countries and across the Union necessary?
  • Has the crisis revealed deficits of democracy and leadership in the Union? If so, how are these best addressed?
  • What are the political ramifications of the crisis at the national and European levels?
  • Do governments have any room to manoeuvre or are the “financial markets” calling the shots?

All are welcome to this event, but attendees are asked to pre-register at euce@yorku.ca.

For more information, visit the Canadian Centre for German & European Studies website.