International Symposium THE IDEA OF EUROPE

The goal of the symposium is to rethink the idea of Europe. The geopolitical, international, cultural, and mental changes of the recent decades make it a pressing issue to ask again, what do we mean when we say ‘Europe’.

Full programme and registration

In 1950 the Schumann Declaration announced: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.“ The European Union was born as a project to ensure peace by means of economic collaboration. During the subsequent 70 years this task was modified and challenged. The current war in Europe and about Europe adds new urgency to the question of Europe, its identity, its scope, and its role. The questions of resilience, robustness, and values demand an urgent answer.

The symposium will invite European intellectuals to attempt to answer some, if not all, of these questions.

Symposium is held under the patronage of HE President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.

Symposium is organized by Vytautas Magnus University.

Symposium is part of „Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022“ program.