‘The Václav Havel European Dialogues’

“The Vaclav Havel European Dialogues” is an international project the goal of which is to initiate and encourage discussions about the future of Europe by referring to the European heritage handed down by Vaclav Havel. The colloquium of this 14 November, entitled “The Trans-Atlantic Dream of a Free World: Still Relevant?” aims to continue the debate on Europe and the transatlantic collaboration; a debate which is organised in amongst the ambient scepticism of European citizens in relation to the EU and within the context of the changing political arena in the USA.
 
The event will be divided up into two parts, each dealing with an essential issue relating to Euro-American relations. The first part, “America and Europe: is there still a shared dream?” will open the debate on the new American administration’s questioning of the transatlantic partnership. The second part, “What agenda for Europeans and Americans?” will analyse the replacement of the founding principles of freedom and democracy with new narratives based around identities and protectionism.
 
In such a context, how can we step up the fight against terrorism, reorganise NATO and reform the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership? During their exchanges, which will take place in English, participants will attempt to come up with answers to these questions.
 
Organisers: The Vaclav Havel Library, the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, the Czech Embassy in Brussels, The Czech Centre in Brussels, the German Marschall Fund and BOZAR Agora.
 
Under the auspices of the European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová and the MEP Pavel Svoboda