Shifting Narratives of Enlargement IDM Conference

Registration

At a time when democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and growing geopolitical uncertainty challenge the European project from within and without, this year’s IDM Conference reflects on how to safeguard democracy and ensure that EU enlargement and reform remain citizen-oriented and inclusive. 

Against the backdrop of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EUSDR Presidency and 30 years since the Dayton Peace Agreement as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine, a panel discussion will explore how the European Union can contribute to reconciliation and ensure a just as well as lasting peace. Which lessons can we learn and what mistakes should be avoided? How can the EU reconcile deepening and widening, advancing institutional reform while simultaneously pursuing enlargement? 

The programme will also feature a presentation of the key findings of the research project “A Comparative Approach to Different Models of EU Integration: How to Achieve a Citizen-Based, Enlarged and Reformed EU?” and a keynote by Richard Kühnel, Director for Representation and Communication in Member States of the European Commission. 

17:00 Welcome:
Patrick Lobis, Head of the European Commission Representation, Vienna
Friedrich Faulhammer, Chairman, IDM 

17:15 Research Presentation: How to Achieve a Citizen-Based, Enlarged and Reformed EU?
Sophia Beiter, Charlemagne Prize Academy Fellow 2024/25, Research Associate, IDM 

17:40 Keynote
Richard Kühnel, Director for Representation and Communication in Member States, European Commission

18:00 Panel Discussion 
Goran Behmen, Ambassador at Large, Acting Head of Office, Office for Special Diplomatic Activities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sasha Dovzhyk, Head of INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange, Lviv
Klaus Wölfer, Member of the IDM Board 

Moderator: 
Sebastian Schäffer, Director, IDM 

Please register on the IDM website: https://www.idm.at/events/shifting-narratives-of-enlargement/