In cooperation with the Jean Monnet House, a project of the European Parliament, the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) organised a two-day retreat in the context of TEPSA’s EU-Bridge Operating Grant.

On the first day, Thursday 30 March 2023, a panel discussion on the topic of building and maintaining a competitive and green economy for the EU took place. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the United States has been a focus of controversy of late, with many European onlookers interpreting the Act as a protectionist move by the Biden administration which risks hindering relations across the Atlantic at a time where global cooperation, not least in the context of crises such as the war in Ukraine and the climate emergency, is much needed. Others, meanwhile, have indeed praised the IRA’s green credentials. What should be the EU’s position at this time? What influence does it hold on the world stage as a trade superpower? How can the EU’s position as a global power be increase and/or consolidated? In this context, TEPSA Secretary-General Jim Cloos asked a number of leading academics from the TEPSA Network and beyond to contribute to our European Council Experts’ Debrief, in consideration of the question: “Faced with industrial policies in other parts of the world, what should the European Union do to maintain a competitive green economy, without ruining public budgets or rupturing the single market?” 

The panel discussion which took place at the Jean Monnet House is a continuation of that discussion, and of the discussion on the same topic which featured in the recent episode of EuropeChats “Building a Competitive Economy for Europe” with special guest Prof. Michele Chang (College of Europe).

Speakers:

• Béatrice Dumont, College of Europe & Sorbonne Paris University;
• François Roux, Egmont Institute;
• Guillaume Ragonnaud, European Parliament’s Directorate Members’ Research Service, Economic Policies Unit, DG EPRS;
• Moderated by: Jim Cloos, TEPSA Secretary-General.

This was followed by an interactive dinner discussion on “Europe’s security order after the war” with keynote speeches on security and defence policies, questions of EU and NATO enlargement, and the potential of the European Political Community.

Speakers:

• Etienne Ranaivoson, Deputy Director for European Affairs at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs;
• Marie Dumoulin, Programme Director, Wider Europe, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR);
• Kristi Raik, Deputy Director and Head of the Foreign Policy Programme of the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS)

On Friday 31 March 2023, TEPSA benefited from a presentation of the European Parliament about communicating the 2024 elections. The dissemination and promotional strategy of the EP was presented, including its key messages, timelines, and materials. This was complemented by an exchange on how civil society organisations and their network scan act as a multipliers in this important democratic endeavour.

Speakers:

• Laura Guiot, European Parliament’s Elections Secretariat.
• Sol de la Guardia, European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communications, Civil Society Outreach Unit

Learn more about the Jean Monnet House here and find the overall programme here.