Summer Academy 2017: Europe’s Future

On 30 June – 3 July, the European Seniors’ Union (ESU) organised, with the help of the Wilfried Martens Centre and the Politische Akademie der ÖVP, its Summer Acadamy around ‘Europe’s future’.

Ingred Korosec, president of the Österreichischer Seniorenbund (ÖSB) and Member of Vienna Regional Parliament opened the Summer Academy at the Politische Akademie in Vienna. A welcome note was brought by Former Federal Minister of Defense, Head of the Academic Council of the Wilfrid Martens Centre for European Studies and Honorary President of the Political Academy of the Austrian People’s Party, Werner Fasslabend.

ESU President, An Hermans, mentioned in her opening speech, that in the last years, the European Union, the member states and the whole society were confronted with unforeseen problems and challenges. But, as some European leaders said, ‘Every crisis can turn into an opportunity’.” She also pointed out that “we believe in the future of Europe” and stressed to continue working for it.

Furter, there were vivant discussions. The audience could ask questions to:

• Heinz Becker: MEP – Vice president of the ESU – Secretary General of ÖSB about ‘European Affairs and Seniors’;
• Vit Novotny: Senior Researcher at Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies about ‘Demographic Changes and Migration in Europe’;
• Mr. Sekardi co-worker of Finance and HR at the Federation of Austrian Industries about ‘The importance of the EU for the Industry’

On Saturday 1 July, there were more interesting presentations and speeches on the program. ESU Secretary General Guido Dumon presented for instance the country reports and Prof. Steven Van Hecke held a presentation about The social dimension of the European Union.

Apart from all that, a video message from MEP Elmar Brok was shown.