The Boundaries of Europe
Where does ‘Europe’ end? What are the boundaries of the European Union? What is going on in Central and Eastern European countries now that they, or their neighbours, have entered the EU? What does the entry into the EU mean for these new member states and for the EU itself? How has it changed their society? Which groups benefit from membership and which groups don’t? And what happens to countries that – as far as we can see – will not enter the EU in the near future?
The reflection in The Netherlands – maybe in all Western European countries - on the changes the EU will bring about in Central and Eastern Europe is inadequate and incomplete. We seem to discuss the enlargement of the EU with opinion leaders from the old member states only and the main argument is about Western European interests. Of course, it is wise to think about our own advantages and possible gains when discussing the EU enlargement. But we miss the full significance of the EU and the effects it can bring, when we do not take the viewpoints of new member states into account. And the dreams and hopes of countries that would like to become an EU-member are worth listening to.
In this series of lectures, entitled ‘The Boundaries of Europe’, five countries are on the agenda: Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. These five countries are all close to the eastern border of the European Union and they represent four phases of joining the EU: ‘member for some time now’ (Czech Republic/Hungary), ‘very recent member’ (Romania), ‘on the negotiating table’ (Turkey) and ‘provisionally rejected’ (Ukraine). We have contracted speakers – scientists and artists – from these five countries and we have invited some Dutch specialists. There are also two general lectures (in Dutch): one on the former communist Central Europe in general, and a double lecture on the philosophical and cultural meaning of ‘Europe’. Movies by Eastern European cinematographers will complement the lecture series.
The programme will end with a public debate during which two questions will be addressed: How should we proceed in the EU since the French and the Dutch have rejected the European constitution? And, which countries do we accept as new members, and which countries should be denied membership?
