24 Apr, 2024
Throughout October, ALDE Party member parties and partners across Europe held a series of events to discuss the future of Europe. We have collected some of the event highlights from a range of stakeholders below. For more information on the liberal activities, don’t forget to visit our dedicated hub. You can also share your own idea for Europe’s future with us!
From ALDE Party
Hans van Baalen town hall meeting in Madrid
On 3 October, ALDE Party co-hosted the 2nd Hans van Baalen town hall meeting together with Ciudadanos. During the event, ALDE Party acting co-President Timmy Dooley, Vice-Presidents Dita Charanzová MEP and Luis Garicano MEP, and Ciudadanos leader Inés Arrimadas discussed the importance of citizen engagement in the Conference, the role of liberalism for Europe’s future, how to combat populism across the continent and what opportunities the European recovery funds can bring for future generations.
You can re-watch the event here
For more information on upcoming town hall meetings, check our website regularly
Liberals take part in COFOE-dedicated plenary
European and national representatives came together with citizens on 22-23 October in Strasbourg to discuss key elements of the Conference on the Future of Europe, including citizens’ contributions, the European Youth Event and the Conference digital platform. Ahead of the plenary, our group in the European Parliament, Renew Europe, organised a Caucus meeting to discuss common liberal priorities.
From our member parties
Belgium: Kick-off of series of events on Europe’s future
On 8 October, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Sophie Wilmès from ALDE Party member Mouvement Réformateur kicked off a series of events focused on the Conference on the Future of Europe. These events will take place across Belgium throughout the autumn.
Estonia: Discussion with Estonian Youth
On 20 October, Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets from ALDE Party member Keskerakond participated in an event with high school students to discuss the role of Estonian diplomacy in meeting climate targets and look for ways to give the young a greater say in the future of Europe. The panel discussion was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.
Ireland: National discussions on the Future of Europe
Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs from ALDE Party member Fianna Fáil, met with several partners to discuss the future of Europe, as he continued his nationwide engagement to hear from citizens on the areas the EU is doing well in and the areas where there is room for improvement.
Spain: Ciudadanos road trip on the future of Europe
Members of European Parliament from Ciudadanos, including ALDE Party Vice-President Luis Garicano, took a road trip across Spain with the aim of collecting citizens' initiatives and ideas. These will be brought to the plenary sessions of the participation-focused Conference, which aims to update and improve the treaties of the EU.
You can find the road trip’s highlights here
United Kingdom: Regional conferences
Throughout October, ALDE Party member Liberal Democrats held a series of regional meetings to discuss the future of Europe across the UK. Each meeting was attended by MEPs who are also members of the COFOE-dedicated plenary, including ALDE Party acting co-President Ilhan Kyuchyuk. These meetings concluded with a one-day conference on 30 October.
From our partners
LYMEC regional talks
The European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) conducted a series of online regional talks: on 14 October with Olivier Chastel MEP in Belgium and on 17 October in Benelux and France.
EYE event
The Youth branches of ALDE Party members participated in the European Youth Event to discuss and share ideas on the issues that matter most for a better Europe.
Renew Europe CoR
The Renew Europe Group in the Committee of the Regions participated in the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek). From October 11 to 14, they contributed to the ongoing debate on democracy and citizens' engagement in the context of the Conference on the future of Europe.
Want to have your own say on Europe’s future? Let us know what you think!
