Europe at a Crossroads

This video is a recording from QCEA's event "Europe at a Crossroads". Please note that the recording was edited for clarity and focuses mainly on the speakers' interventions.

2022 will go down in history as a year of compounding crises. The new IPCC report revealed that the window of opportunity to avoid irreversible harm caused by global heating is rapidly closing. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought the threat of war ever closer to the EU, prompting member states to expand their military budgets. Meanwhile, events in Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and protracted armed conflict in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Ethiopia and Somalia have caused an increase in refugee flows, while the pandemic lingers on, exacerbating inequalities and impacting the most vulnerable. The policies that are approved in this crucial time will define the direction of the EU for the years to come and its capacity to respond to growing challenges such as the climate crisis, socioeconomic inequalities, youth unemployment, mass displacement, inflation, food and energy security, etc.

The aim of this session is to provide an opportunity to reflect on this crucial year for Europe and the direction it is taking in its policy choices.

Speakers:
- Judith Kirton-Darling – Former Member of the European Parliament
- Jeremy Lester – Chair of Saferworld Board, QCEA’s outgoing Clerk and former leader of EEAS division for the Horn of Africa and Head of Delegation in Niger and Rwanda
- Clare Daly – Member of the European Parliament GUE/NGL

Time stamps:
0:00 Introductory remarks
4:39 How do you see the political direction of the EU in recent months? In your view, is it living up to its foundational principles (peace, justice, equality)?
17:17 What are some of your key concerns in relation to EU militarisation and its implications? What kind of alternative approaches would you like the EU to endorse?
21:26 Do you think the EU is fit for purpose to meet the challenges ahead? (e.g. the climate crisis, growing inequalities, inflation, food and energy crisis)
26:02 Why is the EU an important political actor on the world stage? To what extent has if been a positive influence in the world? Do you see this changing at this moment or in the future?
23:35 Question from our audience
42:21 Wrap-up

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The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) works to bring a vision of peace, justice, and equality to Europe and its institutions.