ALDE Events

The EU-Canada Trade Agreement - What's in it for EU Industry ?

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:00:00 +0200

The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada is the second of 'new generation' trade agreements after the EU-Korea FTA in 2011, which the EU is likely to conclude in the second half of 2012. Once the negotiations are concluded, the European Parliament will be asked for its consent and will be working on safeguard clauses. The seminar should bring together the main political stakeholders and business representatives affected by the agreement, to discuss the benefits and challenges of the agreement. Since Europe is a market of 500 million consumers compared to 30 million in Canada, what are the benefits for EU industry? What lessons can be learned from previous trade agreements, such as the EU-Korea FTA? Speakers (subject to change): - Chief negotiator EU/DG Trade representative - Chief negotiator CAN/CAN Ambassador - Representatives of key industries for EU-Canadian Trade: Pharmaceuticals representative - Arnaud Petit (Copa Cogeca, Agriculture) - Representative CERT (Canada Europe Roundtable for Business) - Moderation: Shirin Wheeler, BBC

Maritime Security: An assessment of the social, economic, political and environmental impacts

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:00:00 +0200

This event will consider maritime security from various perspectives. The first half of the conference will consider the social, economic and political causes of insecurity including the impact on climate change on maritime security. The second half of the conference will consider EU actions to combat climate change and also the social and economic consequences of the insecurity. The aim is to bring a more multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to the topic and bring military practitioners, environmental activists and local people together.

Horizon 2020

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 +0200

How can European research and innovation effectively respond to societal challenges?

Resource efficiency: greening the value chain through consumer information

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:30:00 +0200

The event aims to illustrate to MEPs and interested parties, through concrete examples, how the private sector, with the participation of stakeholders, can be stimulated and associated to improve resource efficiency. Household consumption of goods and services represents indeed a major challenge in reducing our impact on the climate and the environment. Introducing an environmental component in consumer purchasing choices and providing the entire production and distribution chain with new indicators should in turn intensify their efforts to better eco-design products and improved resource efficiency. The European Commission is developing a common methodology for the environmental footprinting of consumer products. This methodology was tested by a panel of 10 companies on a voluntary basis in the second half of 2011. Also, in France there is an ongoing pilot project (started 01-07-2011) on consumer product environmental information. More than 160 European companies, of all sizes and from all sectors, participate on a voluntary basis. The workshop aims to show how an innovative and operational tool such as product environmental footprinting can contribute to better resource efficiency and to greening of the value chain. Two companies will present their projects, and the European Commission and the French Sustainable Development Ministry will also present their policies. In the context of the Commission Flagship under the EU2020 Strategy and the Roadmap on a "Resource Efficient Europe", and the revision of the EU Action plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production, this event is an opportunity to discuss what should be done at EU level concerning product environmental footprinting and consumer information.

Award Ceremony for the 'Roots and Shoots' projects with Dr. Jane Goodall

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 +0200

Non-violent protests and the future for Moderate Islamic Reformers post-Arab Spring.

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:34:00 +0200

Focus on North Africa and South Asia

Human rights and Communication Technologies

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0200

ICT - a double-edged sword

Reforming airport slot allocation in Europe: a challenge to be met

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0200

Rapporteur of the ALDE Group for the regulation proposal on the allocation of slots at European Union airports, MEP Giommaria Uggias wishes to create this hearing to serve as a public platform for discussions and exchange of views on the slot allocation. The main purpose is to gather all the main stakeholders involved in the slot allocation, such as airline companies, airport management authorities, airport coordinators, representatives from the EU Institutions. Given the complexity of the issues involved, we believe it is most important to liaise with key players in the aviation sector and to collect as many contributions as possible with a view to facilitating the drafting of the report, in a transparent and democratic perspective.

Arab Spring, one year on

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:41:00 +0200

Liberal Democrat Conference on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Arab Spring

Tibet in Flames: the unfolding personal and collective tragedy of the Tibetan people

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:30:00 +0200

The self-immolations in Tibet throughout 2011 and still continuing have been called the must under-reported story relating to human rights violations in the world. On March 28, 2012 Vice President of the European Parliament Edward McMillan-Scott and Kristiina Ojuland, MEP are hosting a conference dedicated to the desperate situation in Tibet, which has driven a number of individuals to self-harm and suicide through flames. The conference aims to debunk the myths that have been fabricated by the People's Republic of China and to call the European External Action Service to address this tragic situation more vigorously.

Special Event - Open discussion with ALDE group - WEBSTREAM

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:30:00 +0200

Freed Turkish journalist - Ahmet Sik in Brussels Open discussion with ALDE group European Parliament room JAN 4Q1 Wednesday 28th March at 11h30 On the invitation of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, Ahmet Sik, the Turkish investigative journalist and author recently released from prison, will brief MEPs this Wednesday on the situation in Turkey during a special open hearing. The press are invited to attend. Ahmed Sik was one of seven journalists imprisoned over a year ago in a move which was widely condemned as being politically motivated. Mr Sik is known for his reporting on human rights abuses and on political developments inside Turkey. Turkish jails hold nearly 100 members of the news media, one of the highest numbers worldwide, despite the government saying that journalists are not being prosecuted because of what they have written or broadcast. The European Parliament's plenary session will adopt the annual report on Turkey and debate statements from the Commission and the Council on Turkey's accession to the EU this week. This event will be webstreamed live here below

Strengths and Weaknesses of EU Health Systems

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:00:00 +0200

Particularities of Emergency Services The efficiency of emergency services contributes significantly to the overall performance of national healthcare systems. Efficient emergency systems in the EU are vital in order to save more lives and provide high quality healthcare services to European patients. This seminar aims at bringing together policy makers at EU and national and regional level, representatives of the European Commission and specialists working in national emergency services. Moreover, it aims at identifying best practices in the organisation of emergency services in the EU as well as exploring the opportunities of EU support in enhancing the efficiency of our emergency services.

Russia after the elections. What's next ?

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

The Hearing will bring together the opposition leaders for an update on the political situation in Russia following the elections on 4 March 2012. Russian opposition leaders Mikhail Kasyanov, leader of the People's Democratic Union and Garry Kasparov, leader of the united Civic Front will attend the hearing, along with representatives from Yabloko. The OSCE/ODIHR preliminary conclusions clearly stated that the elections were skewed in favour of one candidate and that the voters' choice was limited. The Hearing will also focus on possible results from the reform process initiated by President Medvedev and on the future EU approach towards Russia. The European Parliament will hold a debate on the situation in Russia following the Presidential elections and will adopt a resolution on the urgent need for political and democratic reforms.

Does Schengen require a European FBI ?

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0100

As events have clearly shown in the past year, the Union's area of free movement has come under pressure from growing public scepticism and an increased sense of insecurity. This raises the question whether the EU has done enough to develop a common European security area in parallel with free movement. Although great steps have been taken, with Europol playing an ever increasing role in day-to-day police work, much remains to be done to strengthen police and judicial cooperation. This is paramount to secure the citizens' continuous support for Schengen. Therefore this seminar will allow MEPs, policy-makers and stakeholders to explore How do we ensure European citizens' mutual trust in and support for Schengen?What are the weaknesses of the current structures for police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters?How do we ensure a European fight against cross border crime without limiting the freedom of movement?

Preserving knowledge of the mother tongue abroad

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Perspectives and challenges Preserving knowledge of the mother tongue is a fundamental right of each individual and allows for life chances to be put into practice, thus improving quality of life. In times of economic crisis it is private initiatives and actors, more than the State, that provide an opportunity to overcome difficulties. The speakers will present best practice examples from other countries. Innovative forms of learning, i.e. e-learning, as well as funding possibilities including European Funding, will be discussed.

Military pollution in non-war zones

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:30:00 +0100

The waste of the military and weapon industry is a serious problem for the health of citizens and the environment of some European countries which are not subjected to war hostilities as Slovenia, in the Balkans after the war, and as Italy in Sardinia, where there are 3 military bases used by European and foreign armies, private companies/industries, and NATO armies to test weapons. The purpose of this conference is to witness the human and environmental tragedy caused by weapons and military trash in those places; to collect and put together information about various illness that hit inhabitants causing cases of cancer and congenital malformations in the population and animals.

Russia after the elections. What's next ?

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Serious challenges to democracy and the rule of law remain inside Russia. The elections to the State Duma in December 2011 and the Presidential elections in March 2012 were tainted by bans on opposition parties to register, vote rigging,ballot stuffing and glaring amount of vote count irregularities. Authorities maintain the firm grip of the Kremlin-machinery of media, press and the judiciary. The ALDE Group in the European Parliament has been pivotal in highlighting concern over developments in Russia in the European political debate over the last years. We therefore wish to initiate a broad public debate on how democracy and the rule of law can be supported inside Russia and how the rest of the world should engage with Russia, its rulers and Russian society, including the remaining opposition and remaining independent civil society organisations. To move this debate forward, and to reflect on the results of the latest round of elections in Russia the ALDE Group will host an open hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on 6 March 2012 and is willing to bring together prominent Russian personalities and civil society representatives.

ALDEPAC 2012

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:00:00 +0100

7th ALDEPAC ANNUAL CONFERENCE, The Republic of Ivory Coast The Republic of Ivory Coast / La République de Côte d'Ivoire 2-4 March 2012 / du 2 au 4 mars 2012 Venue: Hotel Ivoire

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) campaign launch

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:30:00 +0100

Campaign Launch: Boost Small and Medium Enterprises

Supporting small scale, coastal and island fishing under the CFP Reform

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0100

The event aims to highlight the current situation of small scale fishermen, their specific needs from a reformed Common Fisheries Proposal, the provisions being made to them and "low impact" fishing practices under the Common Fisheries Reform Proposals. The discussions will highlight key policy proposals from relevant stakeholders which can be debated in the presence of Commission representatives. Speakers will include representatives of small scale fishermen (from Ireland, Spain and the UK), the rapporteur of the Parliament's Initiative report on "small scale and artisanal fisheries", Mr. João Ferreira MEP and the relevant European Commission officials dealing with the reform.

The new CAP. Auditors' view of the quality and efficiency of agriculture expenditure

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0100

The main goal of this seminar is to bring up the issue of the quality of spending of the CAP funding and practical implementation and management of it.

EU citizenship, homelessness and EU free movement

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0100

According to European Commission Data, an estimated 43 million people in the EU are threatened by food poverty. Moreover, extreme poverty is potentially on the rise as a result of the current crisis. On 15th November 2011, the EP adopted a resolution on the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion. This seminar could be the opportunity to understand how to implement this Platform in order to address the unresolved problem of homelessness by helping the EU and Member States to draw up specific measures which would facilitate the integration of homeless people into society as well as ensure accessibility to quality housing.

Shaping the future of the Common Fisheries Policy

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will shape the future of European fisheries and aquaculture. Given the current situation of crisis for the sector and the resources, the reform is urgent and the decisions to be taken can have far reaching consequences. For the first time as co-legislator, the European Parliament will play a key role regarding the final outcome of a reformed CFP. The six designated rapporteurs on the reform proposals are currently drafting their reports. The objective of this ALDE high level conference is to get an outline of the content of their respective reports and to have an exchange of views with the stakeholders in the presence of Commissioner Damanaki and the Danish EU Presidency.

The Romanian Democracy

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:28:00 +0100

Political abuse and citizens' reaction

New Year Seminar on EUROBONDS

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0100

The ALDE New Year seminar on "Eurobonds - Stability and Growth for the Euro area?" will be led by ALDE President, Guy Verhofstadt, and ALDE ECON Coordinator and EP rapporteur for the EP report on Eurobonds, Mrs Sylvie Goulard, MEP. The Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Olli Rehn, will give the keynote speech. It will be followed by a discussion of the topic by an expert panel and from the audience. The seminar will not only discuss the different views on Eurobonds but also the different options and possible alternatives. The overall aim of the seminar is to identify what kind of policies would foster stability and growth to the Euro area and what role Eurobonds can play. Contact: monique.pappi@europarl.europa.eu

Asbestos: Problem solved?

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Asbestos remains a serious concern even if its dangerous carcinogen effects were first established already in the 1930s. Even today, people continue to be exposed to asbestos related risks, and legislation remains inadequate. Worldwide, asbestos is still produced and used. The scientific progress is slow.What actions have to taken? Several legal and scientific experts will contribute to this seminar and debate. Contact: elissa.bensalah@europarl.europa.eu

Resource efficiency - Transformation to a green economy

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:30:00 +0100

Many of the earth's key resources are under severe strain, and are either being depleted at an alarming rate or used in an unsustainable way. In order to ensure sustainable development we need to decouple resource use from economic growth. A transformation of our economies to greater resource efficiency is therefore both an environmental and economic necessity, but it also offers great economic opportunities. The question is not if this transformation will take place but how - and how fast. In a world of scarce resources and rising prices on raw materials, a rapid transformation in the EU has the potential of giving European companies huge competitive advantages. This seminar explores questions such as: How can the EU speed up this transformation together with the business community? What are the benefits and challenges for businesses? What is the role of policy makers and which concrete measures need to be taken? The seminar is linked to the EP report on "A Resource efficient Europe", a flagship initiative under the EU2020 strategy. The speakers will include experts and key business players with an interest in resource efficiency. The Event is hosted by MEPs Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, EP rapporteur for resource efficiency, and Catherine Bearder. Contact: elissa.bensalah@europarl.europa.eu

LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) as Ship Fuel

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0100

A Viable Solution to Reduce Shipping Emissions? With new emission control regulations taking effect, gas as a ship fuel is now emerging as an environmentally and economically attractive option. The use of LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) could reduce carbon emissions by 25% with even bigger reductions of 90% in NOx (nitrogen oxide) and SOx (sulphur) emissions are virtually eliminated. However, introducing LNG as fuel for shipping also requires the availability of LNG in ports, an appropriate infrastructure has yet to be established. Also appropriate engines, bunkering and gas supply systems onboard as well as safety concepts need to be developed. In this seminar the European Commission, the shipbuilding industry as well as ship owners and ports are invited to present their experiences and visions on LNG as an alternative fuel for maritime transport. Contact: annemarie.turpeinen@europarl.europa.eu

How European Zoos are treating their animals

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:45:00 +0100

National reports on the implementation of the zoo Directive At this event further reports will be published by the Born Free Foundation as part of the most extensive EU-wide investigation into the implementation of the Zoos Directive (1999/22). Collectively these reports have identified that zoos are failing to meet their legal obligations to effectively conserve biodiversity. Reports on Belgium, Portugal, Poland and Slovenia are to be published as part of the ongoing Project to review and evaluate the reasons behind inconsistent compliance with EU legislation. The previous Zoo Inquiry 2011 ALDE events created a lot of interest in the subject, and with high-profile countries included in the next set of reports there is likely to be considerable interest in this proposed event. In the third event the Project manager will introduce the next (and final) published reports, report on the results of meetings with EU Member State governments and specifically what actions are being taken to improve the application and compliance with the Directive. He will also discuss the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity, whether they are meeting their legal obligations, and how Members of the European Parliament can assist in ensuring this piece of EC legislation is effectively enforced. Contact: ben.zaczek@europarl.europa.eu

Responsible mining in the EU: best practices to overcome the raw materials crisis

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:30:00 +0100

The seminar aims at approaching alternative ways to overcome the raw materials scarcity in Europe. It will analyse the pros and the cons of the activity of mining and will also present the latest modern best practices in the mining sector. The specificity of this seminar relies in introducing the new technologies modern strategies and best practices in a sector which was once abandoned by our economies but which is now triggering the interest of different stakeholders Contact: elissa.bensalah@europarl.europa.eu