The pilot version of the Europe Future Forum, organised jointly by Visegrad Insight and the Centre for European Policy Studies, took place in Brussels on October 1, 2019, albeit under a slightly different name

The first edition of the Europe Future Forum drew significant interest from EU opinion leaders. Held at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels, the conference enjoyed full attendance and received very positive feedback. The discussions centred on the negotiations for the Multi-annual Financial Framework (2021-2027), taking place between autumn 2019 and summer 2020, which present both opportunities and challenges for the V4 region and Europe as a whole.

September 30

The special report “Scenarios for Cohesive Growth” was launched on the day preceding the European Futures Forum.

Read “European Futures: Scenarios for Cohesive Growth” a report prepared in cooperation with the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). 

October 1

Welcome remarks

Wojciech Przybylski, President of Res Publica, Editor-in-Chief of Visegrad/Insight

Cinzia Alcidi, Senior Research Fellow and Head of Economic Policy Unit, CEPS 

Opening keynote speech

Kalypso Nicolaïdis, Professor of International Relations and director of the Centre for International Studies, University of Oxford 

Introductory discussion: Challenges to MFF – from Brexit to effective cohesion

Kalypso Nicolaïdis, Professor of International Relations and director of the Centre for International Studies, University of Oxford 

Iain Begg, Professorial Research Fellow at the European Institute, London School of Economics 

Policy Discussion: Prosperity Built on Resilience, Resilience Built on Cohesion

Aleš Chmelař, Deputy Minister for Europe, MFA, Czechia 

Speed debate I: Innovations: a new approach in different sectors of the MFF 

Andor F. Dávid, Executive Director, International Visegrad Fund

Olivier Dreute, Adviser on the Multiannual Financial Framework, European Political Strategy Centre 

Anna-Marie Vilamovska, Managing Director, Innovation Accelerator, Bulgaria

Moderated by: Martin Ehl, Hospodářské noviny 

Speed debate II: Cohesion: Investing in the future of growth 

Gert Jan Koopman, Director General, DG BUDG 

Piotr Arak, Director, Polish Economic Institute 

Petr Zahradník, economist, Member of European Economic Social Committee (EESC)

Jorge Núñez Ferrer, Senior Research Fellow, CEPS 

Eric André Martin, IFRI France 

Ondřej Houska, Hospodářské noviny

Plenary Session II: United Europe #Futures: The Right Answers to CEE Concerns? 

Daniel Gros, Director, CEPS 

Botond Feledy, Senior Fellow, CEID 

Zuzana Kepplová, SME (Slovak daily) 

Speed Debate III: Investing in the Climate-friendly development 

Maria Spyraki, MEP, Greece 

Reinhard Bütikofer, MEP, Germany 

Jerzy Buzek, MEP, Poland 

Ágnes Törőcsik, research associate, REKK  Foundation 

Sum up & Concluding remarks 

Paweł Świeboda, Deputy Head, European Political Strategy Centre 

Photographer: Francesca Pradella