In the face of war – European dialogue

How Far Can Europe Go? Perspectives and Aspirations of Young European Citizens

Organized in May 2025, the Brussels edition of the European Dialogues will place European youth and their aspirations at the heart of the debates, in the dual context of the upheavals caused in Europe by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the prospects for European Union enlargement to regions once torn apart by war.

In partnership with the University of Paris 8, Sciences Po Rennes, and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, French, Belgian, and other EU and Western Balkan students will have the opportunity to share their experiences and understanding of the European Union, its importance for peace, and to explore the value of symbols for Europe.

They will also share their views on the recent history of "their" Europe, particularly the return of war after long decades of peace. In Brussels, the seat of European power, these young people will reflect on social activism during wartime, addressing policymakers and representatives of civil society organizations directly. They will share their perspectives on potential EU enlargement and the future of a peaceful, secure, and resilient Union.

The round tables will explore:

• The diversity of European experiences and their lived reality since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine;
• The sentiments and symbols of European solidarity in times of war and crisis, and the importance of civic engagement;
• The capacity of the European Union and its institutions to respond effectively to the local or regional demands of young people, both from the perspective of an EU citizen and a non-EU citizen, in the context of unprecedented political and financial changes triggered by the war.

European Memories and Symbols

• 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Workshop “Our Declaration for Tomorrow's Europe” and visit to the exhibition Presence of the Past

Forty young people will take part in this stage of the European Dialogues. They come from French, Belgian, and European universities. A dozen engaged young people from the Balkan countries will also be present.

This group will participate in closed workshops on May 22 during the day.

They will have the opportunity to produce visuals to be exhibited at the House of European History, create content for the Institut français’s social media, conduct interviews for the Institut français’s website, and prepare interventions for the round tables that will take place later that evening. 

• 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: “European Memory Policies: Which Path Forward?”

The Presence of the Past. A European Album exhibition at the House of European History is being held at a pivotal moment for the European Union (EU), the European continent, and the world. Over the past decades, European institutions, governments, NGOs, cultural institutions, and citizens have used the evocation of the past and the transmission of memory as a major tool for democratization and pacification of societies, with the hope of promoting tolerance, inclusion, and equality.

Acknowledging this evolution, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on September 19, 2019, affirming "the importance of European memory for the future of Europe." However, in recent years, the rise of populism, far-right parties, and hate crimes has led to questioning previous memory policies, making a new approach necessary. On January 17, 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on European Historical Consciousness. While reaffirming "the ideal of a culture of memory and historical awareness based on shared European values and practices," it emphasized "the need for an honest assessment of the EU's past policies." It invites us to think differently about these issues and to question the central link between values and memory.

What do European citizens think of the "culture of memory" in Europe? How do they view public policies on this matter? How can we assess the effectiveness of this European promotion of values through memory?

Speakers:

• Sarah Gensburger, French sociologist, research director at CNRS and Sciences Po Paris, specialist in memory policies
• Philippe Perchoc, French political scientist, director of the Institut de recherche de l'École Militaire – Europe
• Inga Yakymenko, founder of the Ukrainian Cultural Space
• In dialogue with young Europeans

Moderator: Simina Badica, chief curator of the exhibition Composed Past. 

• 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: “What Symbols for the Youth and Future Generations of Europe?”

Until the 1990s, Europe was embodied by historic sites, memorial institutions, monuments, and other heritage elements, consecrated as European symbols more by institutions than by the people themselves. These symbols, often rooted in the experience of war and shaped by institutionalized efforts, were the primary lever for creating a sense of European belonging for generations.

In parallel, during times of peace, other more popular symbols emerged outside institutional frameworks. With successive EU enlargements and the creation of the Schengen Area, these objects became genuine symbols of a popular European culture and a promise of peace and mutual understanding. Interrail (since 1972), the European Solidarity Corps (since 1996), and Erasmus (since 1987) have offered transformative experiences for generations of Europeans. Eurovision and the Champions League bring Europeans together around a shared cultural experience. Through these initiatives, interpersonal relationships are formed, bridging historical divisions.

What remains, then, of these institutionalized symbols? To what extent have new generations embraced them?

Speakers:

• François Foret, Professor of Political Science at ULB, President of the Institute of European Studies, and researcher at Cevipol
• Pierre Dorac, co-writer of the series Parlement
• Constanze Itzel, Director of the House of European History in Brussels
• In dialogue with young Europeans

Moderator: Mehdi Khelfat, journalist.

In Times of War, What Commitment for What Europe?

Europe is facing significant humanitarian challenges triggered by wars both on the continent and beyond. Young activists from civil society, driven by their sense of European belonging, are engaging on the ground and assuming growing responsibilities. They help their communities locally and push European authorities to take action. The war on the continent, the prospect of European enlargement, and the nature of the accession process profoundly impact the commitment of these activists.

For candidate states, the question is whether EU membership is a desirable goal; for those who have opened negotiations, it involves transforming the state and society on issues as diverse as human rights, gender equality, environmental and climate policies, and migration.

Morning:

Two closed-door sessions for the young participants.

• They will engage with Jermina Stanojev, expert at the European Commission, who will explain how to advocate effectively with European institutions.
• In the second session, they will participate in a training workshop on eloquence and rhetoric with Sébastien Chonavey.

Afternoon:

The young participants will meet with four European activists who will share their experiences. After that, the participants will be divided into four groups and will draft six concrete proposals for the future of Europe.

Activists:

• Adelaïde Charlier – Environmental activist, a leading figure in the Youth for Climate movement.
• Sébastien Gobert – French journalist and author based in Ukraine since 2011, specializing in Ukraine and the Black Sea region.
• Achraf Manar – Young leader engaged in the fight against inequalities, co-president and co-founder of the association Destins liés, and ambassador of the Different Leaders collective.
• Alyssa Ahrabare – President of the French Coordination for the European Women’s Lobby.

6:30pm-9pm: “In times of war, which engagement for which Europe?” 

Young European people will present and discuss their vision for the future of Europe, before debating with representatives of European institutions and experts on European policies. 

En partenariat avec l’Université Paris 8, Sciences Po Rennes et l’Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, des étudiants français, belges ainsi que d’autres pays membres de l’UE et des Balkans occidentaux ont pris part aux Dialogues européens à Bruxelles. A cette occasion, ils ont produit des articles sur l'évènement et ses participants. 

• Portrait d’Adélaïde Charlier, activiste engagée dans la lutte contre le réchauffement climatique - par Anna Godet 
• Discussion avec Philippe Perchoc : construire une mémoire européenne. Entre compromis politique et diversités historiques - par Louise Beauquin 
• Does European youth have an answer to what the Old Continent wants? - by Nikolina Klajić 

After Helsinki, Warsaw, Sofia, Rennes, Amsterdam, and Vilnius, among others, it is now Germany’s turn to support discussion and debate on the upheavals caused in Europe by the war in Ukraine. On 28 March 2025, Leipzig hosted a thematic day in and around the Book Fair, one of the largest gatherings for books and ideas in Germany.

With the theme "Creating in Times of War and Exile: Towards New European Narratives", the event launched the 2025 edition of the Facing War – European Dialogues series.

Programme 

"Authors and Artists in Exile" 12:00 – 1:00 PM (28 March 2025) Representatives of European institutions discussed the importance of supporting artists in exile.

In recent years, many artists who fled their countries due to conflict have been welcomed across Europe through artist residencies or scholarship programmes. Yet, their most pressing needs are humanitarian: overcoming trauma and loss, reorganising daily life, clarifying or obtaining legal status, and potentially learning a new language...

With: Kateryna Ritz-Rakul (Ukrainian Institute Berlin), Mathieu Girard (Cité des arts, Paris), Dr. Gabriele Goldfuß (City of Leipzig), a representative from Poland. 

"European Literature in Times of War: Culture of Resistance or Resistance of Culture?" 2:20 – 3:00 PM (28 March 2025) Thirty years after the Srebrenica massacre and in the context of the war in Ukraine, three European women writers reflect on writing in the midst of conflict.

What is the role of literature in times of war and in war zones? What is the role of war in literature? Between exile, memory, urgency, and the redefinition of identities, they explore the power of literature and the emergence of new European narratives.

With: Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko, French journalist Taina Tervonen, Ukrainian writer and journalist Natalka Sniadanko, moderated by Shila Behjat. 

"Reading, Translating, Publishing in Times of War" 8:30 – 9:30 PM (28 March 2025) The role of translation in transmitting Ukrainian culture.

Without translation, we would live in provinces that border on silence. This thought from philologist George Steiner reminds us of the importance of translation in the process of mutual cultural recognition, especially in times of war. How do translators and publishers work to break the silence resulting from the weakening of cultural industries in wartime countries? How can European citizens contribute to this dialogue that brings people closer together?

With: Claudia Dathe, translator from Ukrainian to German, Kateryna Ritz-Rakul, director of the Ukrainian Institute in Germany, Iryna Dmytrychyn, French translator, Constantin Sigov, Ukrainian author, Moderated by Kateryna Mishchenko. 

After a first year of circulation across Europe (Prague, Vilnius, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Sofia and Plovdiv, Helsinki), the European Dialogues made a stop in Rennes from November 7 to December 1, 2024.

This edition was built on the involvement of numerous cultural operators in Rennes who, under the initiative of Les Champs Libres, decided to infuse their programming with a European "color," placing a particular emphasis on works, formats, and representatives from Central and Eastern Europe. A thread thus stretched from Western Brittany to the farthest reaches of Eastern Europe.

The highlight of these European Dialogues took place from Friday, November 29, to Sunday, December 1, featuring various roundtables and discussions held at Les Champs Libres and Espace Ouest-France. European and international figures met with the public to discuss the challenges facing European societies and states at the end of a particularly tense geopolitical year, amid growing polarization of opinions. The final session was dedicated to Ukrainian civil society.

Students from the University of Rennes, Paris 8 University, the University of Reims, and Sciences Po-Rennes were present throughout the event. Enrolled in various fields of study (law, political science, geopolitics, and journalism, respectively), they produced reports and interviews to capture the richness of the discussions held during the three-day highlight of the European Dialogues. On stage, some students were involved in moderating the panels, while others opened certain roundtables with introductory remarks.

Friday, November 29

• "Europe in the Era of Post-Truth"
• Performance: For A Better World by Cie AAT
• "Writing War"
• From Kyiv to Rennes: Studying in Europe, Studying for Europe
• "Living Library" dedicated to Ukraine (in partnership with Solidarité Bretagne-Ukraine)
• Meeting with the authors of the Ukraine(s) Vision exhibition, Michel Slomka and Chloé Sharrock
• "These Wars That Are Also Ours"

Saturday, November 30

• "International Order and New Geopolitical Challenges"
• "European Union: A Shift Toward the East?"
• "How to Organize a Broken World? From the 'Global South' to the 'Global Majority' and 'Non-Alignment': Europe Facing Doctrines of Recomposition"
• "What Can Justice Do in the Face of Global Disorder?"

Sunday, December 1

• "The Day After the War"
• "The European Trajectory of the Balkans"
• "What Do Ukrainians Dream Of?"

Wednesday, October 23 – University of Helsinki

11:00-11:15 – Official Opening

11:15-12:30 – "Can We Be Vaccinated Against Disinformation?" With: Eeva Luhtakallio, Professor of Sociology at the University of Helsinki (Finland), David Colon, Researcher and Associate Professor at the Center for History at Sciences Po Paris (France), Mikko Salo, Founder of Faktabaari (Finland), Fabrice Puchault, Director of the Culture and Society Unit at Arte (France), and Heikki Aittokoski, Journalist, Helsingin Sanomat (Finland).

Moderator: Annastiina Heikkilä, Correspondent for Yle (Finland).

14:00-15:15 – "Can the Media Still Be Independent?" With: Robert Sundman, Political Journalist at Suomen Kuvalehti (Finland), Judith Fiebelkorn, Übert N-Ost (Germany), Laurent Marchand, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Ouest-France (France).

Moderator: Hanna Wass, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki (Finland).

15:15-16:45 – "European Security Challenged by Information Warfare" With: Miina Kaarkoski, Political Scientist, Finnish National Defense University (Finland), Maxime Lebrun, European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (France), Colonel Virginie Le Goff (France), Roberta M. Răducu, Assistant Professor at the College of Communication and Public Relations (SNSPA) and Communication Expert for the New Strategy Center (Romania), Minna Ålander, Researcher, Finnish Institute of International Affairs (Finland).

Moderator: Dr. Céline Marangé, Researcher on Russia and Ukraine, Inserm (France).

16:45-18:00 – "Writing War" Screening of the film Fixers in Wartime, the Invisible Reporters.

With: Antti Kuronen, War Reporter, Yle (Finland), Oleksandra Aleksandrenko, Fixer (Ukraine), Senad Pecanin, Lawyer, Founder of Dani Sarajevo Magazine (Bosnia), and Shuruq Asad, Journalist, Representative of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (Palestine).

Moderator: Jeanne Cavelier, Reporters Without Borders (France).

Thursday, October 24 Session at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (by invitation only).

The discussions in Bulgaria were centered around the theme "From the Balkans to the Black Sea: Legacies, Identities, and European Trajectories."

Detailed programme and presentation of participants 

The French Institute in the Netherlands, in partnership with De Balie, hosted an evening of debates bringing together prominent European voices on the theme "Geopolitical Europe Facing War." Two public sessions were organized:

• "Writing the War" - a roundtable where journalists and editors-in-chief discussed the challenges they face during wartime. 
• "Europe at War?" - four high-level personalities discussed the following questions: What should a "geopolitical Europe" look like? Can a balance be found between a war economy and a market economy? Can Europe speak the language of power while ensuring the rule of law and democracy within its borders? 

An exchange between French and Dutch students was held prior to the evening. 

Writing the War 

The difficulty of knowing what is happening on a battlefield, the near-impossibility of obtaining concrete and cold facts in real-time, and witnessing countless broken lives. The role of war reporters is crucial in drawing public attention to wars and conflicts. During this evening, European journalists and editors-in-chief addressed the challenges they face: how to maintain public interest in prolonged conflicts? How to decide on the topics to cover?

Conflicts occurring at Europe's doorstep, such as in Ukraine and Gaza, are changing journalistic practices. As tensions rise and the geopolitical balance shifts, we discuss how the media translates these upheavals to the public. We question how to provide reliable news coverage in a context of propaganda and censorship, and how to expose disinformation. 

With: Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Sander van Hoorn, Boyko Vassilev, Veronika Dorman, and Emmanuelle Chaze.

Moderated by Rokhaya Seck. 

Europe at War? 

Five years after the announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of the establishment of a "geopolitical commission," the context has radically changed: Europe faces two wars in its immediate neighborhood. In light of current conflicts, such as the war in Gaza and Ukraine, what kind of geopolitical actor does Europe want to be? With Frans Timmermans, Tom Middendorp, and Nathalie Tocci, we will explore what a more geopolitical Europe would mean and entail. Over the past two years, Europe has had to respond to the invasion of one of its immediate neighbors, Ukraine. Although caught off guard, European leaders were able to react with measures that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Despite these unprecedented measures, Europe's ability to have an impact on the ground, militarily or diplomatically, is in question. Can Europeans agree on a common narrative in the face of such significant conflicts? Can Europe speak the language of power while ensuring the rule of law and democracy within its borders?

With: Frans Timmermans, Nathalie Tocci, Tom Middendorp, and Rym Momtaz.

Moderated by Yoeri Albrecht.

The project « in the face of war - European dialogue » has been launched at the Profesní dům in Prague on Tuesday 14 November 2023. 

• First debate "European unity in the face of war" 
• Second debate "Reconnecting narratives in Europe" 

Find out more 

2024 could be a pivotal year for Europe: both internally (European elections, the challenge of enlarging the European Union, national retreats) and externally (security issues linked to the war in Ukraine, elections in the United States, war between Israel and Hamas and instability in the Middle East), there are a lot of pressures and threats on the European Union and the European project. 

Two years after the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine and against this backdrop of major challenges, it seems essential to strengthen the bulwark that knowledge and analysis represent against approximations and polarized discourses. What is at stake? A better assessment of reality, its ups and downs and the existing scopes for action. 

This is the purpose of this new segment, in Warsaw, of the "In the face of war - European Dialogues" series of public debates. By focusing on the theme of "Research and the stakes of knowledge in the face of war", this stage in Warsaw highlights the need to support exchanges in Europe and beyond on the production and circulation of ideas and different schools of thought. 

Booklet - "European dialogue" in Warsaw 

In Lithuania, a country deeply mobilised and affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting war, the “Dialogues européens” took place at the Vilnius University on 30 November and 1 December 2023 on the theme of “Culture and imagination in the face of war”. The Season of Lithuania planned in France in autumn 2024 represented a perfect setting for hosting the event. 

The two days of debates allowed participants to discuss the shock and impact of the war from the perspective of ideas and culture. 

Representatives from around ten European countries took part in round-tables. 

30 november 

• Official opening : Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University, and Alix Everard, Ambassador of France to Lithuania. 
• Inaugural session: “Ideas from Central Europe” 
• “The experience of war: a dialogue between cultural players”
• “The Eastern border in the European imaginary” 
• “Where is Europe? Narratives and the stakes of memory" 

1 December 

• Opening words : Eva Nguyen Binh, President of the Institut français 
• “What can culture do in the face of war?” 
• “What can museums do in the face of war?” 
• “Writing the war”: café debate