International Workshop

The Future of Europe: Good Friends Drifting Apart?

Villa La Collina
Griante-Cadenabbia (Como)
27-29 November 2014

In the last few years the financial and economic crises have changed the relationships between European countries from partnership based on equality to depen-dency based on economic strengths. This development is especially clear in the increasingly dominant position of Germany versus Southern European countries confronted with a collapse of their economic and finan-cial systems. How do citizens in various countries respond to these changes? Do these structural changes also reverse the process of 'Europeanization' between Northern and Southern societies, bringing back to the surface old national stereotyping and jingoism? How to secure solidarity, respect and appreciation when 'good friends are drifting apart'?

The Workshop will focus on recent changes in the political cultures of Germany, Italy and Spain stirred by the financial and economic crises and the attempts to implement strict austerity measures. The Workshop consists of several sessions focusing on specific aspects of changes in the political cultures in the three countries. For each session small groups of experts will provide a brief statement identifying the most important dimensions as well as the most promising strategies to deal with these problems in an European context.

Download the programme below.