Four think tanks and a foundation set the seminar’s goals: to exchange ideas about the future of Europe and encourage dialogue between established and newer powers, thereby helping to bring about a new European consensus. The consortium consisted of the Stiftung Mercator, the Rome-based Instituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), the Barcelona Center for International Affairs (CIDOB), and the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).
The closing conference took place in Berlin November 7-8, 2013 following a productive range of regional meetings and workshops. The 35 European experts taking part came from Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, France, Portugal, Austria and Slovakia. They included members of parliaments, caucus leaders, and representatives of large social movements and civil society groups.
As the authors of the newly published report make clear, the conference and preliminary workshops offered participants an important chance to build consensus and reflect on the next steps for European integration. The Berlin workshop was an encouraging step toward continuing the broader debate on the subject.
