Global Jean Monnet Conference 2007
Brussels, 5 November 2007

Dear President Gil Robles,

Distinguished Professors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to open this Global Jean Monnet Conference. But first, I would like to greet the many Jean Monnet professors who have made their way to Brussels today.

My message to you is that the European Commission attaches enormous significance to your work. You are the critical and independent ambassadors of the European idea around the world. It is difficult to imagine better qualified and more credible multipliers of knowledge on the EU worldwide. And because of your expertise and independence of judgement, we know that you can also provide unique insight and policy advice. I would like to thank you for your good work, personally and on behalf of the Commission.

A special word of welcome goes to our distinguished speakers as well, which include leading decision–makers, representatives of the civil society, and intellectuals. We are fortunate to have you all here and we thank you for taking the time to share your views with us.

It is also thanks to your presence that the Jean Monnet Conference is becoming a leading forum of discussion for European issues—and sustainable development is certainly on top of our list.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the years, the European Commission has created an ideal environment of cooperation with the Jean Monnet professors; based on mutual respect and trust. Over the years, you have made an invaluable contribution to the development of European Studies and to the dissemination of quality information about our process of integration. I have no doubt that this cooperation will continue to bear fruit for many years to come. You have rendered an important service to European integration by raising awareness and shaping public opinion in the countries of the EU and in the candidate countries.

But today I would like to stress the work carried out by the Jean Monnet professors in other parts of the world. I think you can fairly be described as part of the grass–roots arm of our external action. We all know that the Union is an unprecedented geo–political and institutional innovation. Few parallels can be drawn with other, more familiar institutions. Because of this, it is difficult to understand what the EU does, how it does it, and—above all—who does what.

I sometimes think that when people meet the Union for the first time, they must be as baffled as the European naturalists who first saw a platypus at the turn of the 19th century. So, it is clear that the understanding of our institutions and of our process of integration would have remained modest without your work, and the work of your centres and associations. There are more and more Jean Monnet projects around the world. You are now present in 60 countries on all continents. This is excellent news, and I congratulate the network for its dynamism. And with the new integrated Lifelong Learning Program we hope to do even more.

How can we explain the growing interest for European Studies among academics and students from every corner of the world?

Naturally, there cannot be one general explanation, as each region and country will have its own. However, I would like to put forward a hypothesis—and please let me know what you think of it.

Europeans are proud of their history of achievements: we have given democracy to the world, the principle of reason, modern science—to quote only a few intellectual advancements. Europe, full of cultural diversity, is struggling today to build unity in this diversity.

But our continent has also seen the worst atrocities in history and has been blighted by economic depressions and famines. After WWII there was a distinct sense that Europe could become irrelevant on the international scene without a radical change.

The European Community provided precisely this change. We have been capable of re–inventing a polity for ourselves which has been largely responsible for an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity.

It is with humility that I suggest to you that the European experience of the last 50 years can be a model for other parts of the world. Because Europe – it is the world in small. And this may explain the growing interest in our process of integration to which you can testify.

This being said, world history is in a flux today. All of us who are involved in the European project should listen carefully to what external observers have to say. You can help us understand our significance, our strong points, and our achievements; but also our shortcomings and mistakes—and what we can do to move forward.

Previous conferences have covered such topics as Europe’s challenges in a globalized world, the European Union and emerging world orders, and the issues of peace, security and stability. Looking back, the relevance of your input is striking. As you will remember, it was during an earlier Jean Monnet Conference that the concept of a neighbourhood policy was conceived—then under the phrase “the ring of friends”—which earned former President Prodi the moniker “the Lord of the Rings”!

A Jean Monnet Conference also called for the EU to support the dialogue between peoples and cultures. That idea is about to take concrete shape with the Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. And 2009 I have already proposed to name as a European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to close with a word on today’s theme. For President Barroso and his college, few issues are more crucial than sustainable development. The President will present his ideas to us later this morning. As you can see in the Conference Programme, we have a broad understanding of sustainable development:

• the first session will consider global environmental governance, covering issues such as climate change and water policy;
• the second session will be devoted to sustainable energy and security;
• finally, the last session will examine demography, poverty, migration and related challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have great expectations from your discussions. The main reason why we consider these Conferences so highly is precisely that they are not simply freewheeling academic gatherings. On the contrary, Jean Monnet Conferences bridge the gap between academic reflection and concrete policy insights.

The Union at 50, is more complete, more European. New Member States, new challenges, a new international role are all part of our growing up.

Integration – it is neither absorption, nor assimilation of the newer and weaker by the older and stronger. Integration – it is about participation and belonging!

Let’s hope that the agreement on the Reform Treaty last month is a sign of our increasing Maturity! I understand maturity as a capability to humanize world we live in – to bring more humanity in solidarity and responsibility. Sustainable development factors got further support in the instruments and policies within the new Reform Treaty.

The expectations of our people are also higher. This is both recognition of the relevance of the EU and a challenge to us all. I am sure that today’s Conference will provide us with views, visions and strategies that will help us steer the changes in a positive and sustainable direction.

I would like to end with a quote of the inspirer of your network – Jean Monnet. Once he wrote: “Nous ne coalisons pas des états, nous unissons des hommes!” To unite people is much more demanding than to organize alliance of states! But it is also much more influential and beneficial for mankind.

I wish you a successful conference and I look forward to listening to your conclusions.

Thank you.