Date/Time
Date(s): 23/01/2013 - 23/11/2013
Time: 2:15 pm - 6:00 pm
Location
GH803, G Core,
Language: English, French and Chinese
Admission:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China- Europa Forum
First Macau- Hong Kong Sino-European Debate
Two recent events make sense for a reflection on the European future: the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the European Union and the special meeting of the European Council held on 22-23 November 2012. The award emphasizes great European achievements: 1) recognition of the essential role the European Union has played in reconciliation amongst European people, “The EU is a unique project that replaced war with peace, hate with solidarity.” said Martin Schulz; 2) an invitation to make headway at a moment when Europe is experiencing a difficult period of time; 3) an incentive for Europe to assert to the world the values of peace, democracy and respect for human rights. On the other hand, the special meeting of the European Council ended with divergence about the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020, but the EU Council statement still shows a sign of optimism, “a sufficient degree of potential convergence to make an agreement possible in the beginning of next year”. A European budget is important for the cohesion of the Union and for jobs and growth in all the member states. China is greatly concerned about the current situation in Europe and curious to find out the reasons behind. Europe is the cradle of modern humanism, whose experience is essential to human history. China is wondering whether European communities can overcome difficulties with a regenerated solidarity. Many Europeans still believe in such an endeavour. However, Rousseau told us that a general will is not the sum of individual wills, but a new entity different from all the individual wills of the citizens. This conference will “make a detour in the past to go forward” (Edgar Morin) with reference to the European and Chinese traditional humanism so as to bring out the ethics needed for regenerating a new European solidarity. The flaring tension over East and South China Sea is getting worldwide concern. Could not Europe once again inspire the world and prove reconciliation and solidarity are possible?
ENQUIRIES
3411 6598
euaphk@hkbu.edu.hk