The State of the Union (European University Institute)
Annual forum for high-level reflection on the European Union / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The State of the Union (SOU) is an annual forum for high-level reflection on the European Union organized by the European University Institute (EUI) since 2011 in Florence, Italy.[1] The conference acts as a bridge between academia and policy-making in Europe, bringing together heads of states, presidents and representatives of EU institutions, academic experts, business and opinion leaders, NGOs, think tanks, journalists and representatives of civil society.[2][3][4][5]
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Formation | 2011 |
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Founder | European University Institute |
Type | Conference |
Legal status | 14th Edition (23-24 May 2024) |
Headquarters | Florence, Italy |
Official language | English |
Website | https://stateoftheunion.eui.eu/ |
Throughout its history the conference has addressed topics including climate, migration, surveillance and freedom, the role of Europe in a globalized world, the Eurozone crisis, gender, citizenship, solidarity, 21st-century democracy, and Europe's management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges for the EU following the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The theme of each conference is designed by an annually changing Scientific Committee of experts and academics from within the EUI community.[6]
The event is renowned for high-level participation and discussion, prominent media coverage, and consistent timing: the conference falls annually around 9 May, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, making Florence the center of Europe on Europe day.[7][8]
In 2014 and 2019, the event hosted two ‘Spitzenkandidaten’ debates among leading candidates for the position of the European Commission President. The 2024 edition will also host a debate in view of the European elections. Over the years, the event has drawn representatives of the private sector, government, national and EU institutions, academia, foundations, transnational organisations, national and international press. High-level speakers have included Michel Barnier, Emma Bonino, Giuseppe Conte,Josep Borrell Fontelles,Paolo Gentiloni, Kristalina Georgieva, Jean-Claude Juncker, Roula Khalaf, Christine Lagarde, Sergio Mattarella, Charles Michel, David Miliband, Jeffrey Sachs, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, George Soros,Frans Timmermans and Katerina Sakellaropoulou.