Europe Update: Current Challenges, Future Perspectives

An assessment of the recent developments in the EU and the challenges facing EU-Australia relations were top of the agenda at the 2009 Europe Update.

The event on Thursday 26 February coincided with the 13th Annual Schuman Lecture, which was presented by Ms Helga Schmid, Director of the Policy Unit of the Council of the European Union.

The Schuman Lecture has been delivered by many European luminaries since the inaugural lecture was delivered by Lord Leon Brittan, the then Vice President of the European Commission. 

Ms Schmid’s lecture discussed the global and regional security challenges facing the EU in the 21st century.

“The Schuman Lecture is a highlight of our program and we were very excited to have secured one of the key senior EU advisors to Javier Solana on matters on security issues,’ said Director of the National Europe Centre Professor Simon Bronitt.

“Ms Helga Schmid provided a comprehensive survey of the challenges facing Europe and stimulated some interesting discussion from the floor. It was a great honour to attract such a high profile speaker to deliver the address for the ANU,” he said.

The lecture was integrated within the program of Europe Update 2009, a one day conference which was opened by HE Dr Juraj Chimiel, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Australia, who outlined the priorities of the Czech EU Presidency.

The event also integrated a visiting from a delegation of parliamentarian from the European Parliament, and an afternoon of presentations from DFAT and EU Commission officials, as well as academic experts.

The Schuman Lecture has been podcasted and will be available through the NEC website and I-tunes-U. To download the lecture visit: http://www.anu.edu.au/NEC/index.php