Alternative Voices From Eastern Europe (gala event)

Discussions on the future of the European Union and the ongoing crises not only focus on Brexit, Greek debts or relations with USA and Russia, but also on a supposed "drifting apart"of political cultures in Western Europe and in new member states ("Visegrád Group") and some applicant countries. Authoritarian tendencies and dismantling of "rule of law"standards, increasing nationalism, rejection of refugee resettlement, etc. led to mistrust and re-fueled prejudices and stereotypes on both sides of the of the former "iron curtain" that were considered to be overcome 28 years after the fall of communism and 13 years after the EU enlargement to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Organized by MEP Monika Vana, the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, the Greens inthe Austrian Parliament, the Greens of Vienna and Grüne Bildungswerkstatt Wien (Landesförderung)

Speakers:

• Welcome by Monika Vana (MEP, Austria, Die Grünen)
• Evelyne Huytebroeck (European Green Party Committee Member, Brussels)
• Ivana Cabrnochová (Ex-Senator, SZ-?SSD, Czech Republic)
• Tamás Meszerics (MEP, Hungary, LMP-Politics can be different)
• Simona Petrík (MP, Slovakia, independent)
• Liljana Popovska (MP, Macedonia, DOM-Democratic Renewal of Macedonia)
• Bronis Rop? (MEP, Lithuania, LVŽS-Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union)
• Moderation: Ruth Chylik

The intention of this gala event is to show that "black-white perceptions" don’t do justice tothe complexity of the situation. We not only have to admit that there are also authoritarian and right-wing populist tendencies in some West European countries, but also that societies in CEE countries are much less monolithic than they seem when looking at newspaper headlines. We have invited Green and progressive politicians from Central Europe, the Balkans and the Baltics who closely cooperate with civil society in their countries to express their commitment to European solidarity and to our common struggle for human rights and democracy. They will explain their personal motivation that led them to become Member of the European Parliament or to foster pro-European attitudes in their countries. After their statements, there will be opportunity for personal exchange with them.

The event will be held in English. 

Registration: karin.binder@gruene.at (participation is free).