Progressive Thinking for A Global Age
"Europe's democratic deficit" is a political cliché. Yet the failure of the EU to connect to its citizens – typified rather than resolved by the artificiality of the Convention process – is only one facet of a crisis that also affects local and national levels of government. Across Europe, communities are becoming detached from their politicians and disinterested in their political processes. The FPC argues that, rather than necessarily exacerbating this situation, the EU has the capacity to transform it, developing new links with citizens and new opportunities for them to participate in decision-making. Brussels expanding institutions offer space for political innovation rather than paralysis –but determined action is required to ensure that they fulfil their potential
stephen.twigg[at]fpc.org.uk
Parliamentary scrutiny of EU legislationThe current parliamentary system for examining legislation from Brussels is flawed, according to a new Foreign Policy Centre pamphlet by CBI chief Sir Digby Jones, with a preface by Dr Denis MacShane, Minister for Europe.
Download the press release (60 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Blair and Zapatero should forge alliance22 September 2004
Download the press release (60 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
ENP: Georgia is top of the classBy Dick Leonard. Source: European Voice
Time to upgrade its action plan, argues Dick Leonard
Enlargement ProblemsBy Dick Leonard. Source: European Voice
No gridlock – so far. How the EU has adapted to enlargement.
Don't forget the citizen!By Dick Leonard. Source: European Voice
Constitutional debate must not be monopolized by governments, argues Ecas
A New Deal for Social Europe![[Cover of A New Deal for Social Europe]](/fsblob/598.jpg)
David Clark, Neil Kinnock, Michael Leahy, Ken Livingstone, John Monks, Stephen Twigg
September 2005 £4.95, plus £1 p+p.
Download the report (110 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
At this decisive moment in the development of both the European Uion and the democratic left, European politics must not be allowed to become a competitive struggle between different national approaches. This pamphlet argues that a social model of the future must reflect a synthesis of what is best in each whilst still facilitating advances which accord with national preferences and conditions. In this process, Britain has much to offer, but it also still has much to learn.
Counter-terrorism and human rights - is the EU on the right course?June 30, 2005
Download Counter-terrorism and human rights - is the EU on course? (20 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The EU responded with commendable – if unusual – alacrity to the worldwide terrorist threat unleashed on 11 September 2001.
Now, nearly four years later, Amnesty International has produced a disturbing report questioning how far this objective has been met.
Dick Leonard examines the EU's approach to counter-terrorism in an article published in The European Voice.
The European Parliament in EU Foreign PolicyDownload European Parliament Policy Brief (60 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
This Policy Brief reviews a recent plea from the European Parliament for a stronger voice in the constitutional arrangements for EU foreign and security policy. In the wake of the referendum results in France and the Netherlands, there is a new recognition that European leaders must address the democratic deficit in EU decision-making. Whether or not the Parliament succeeds in these bids will depend on its ability to speak with one voice and to actively make this voice heard in national capitals in the coming one to two years.
The Future for Europe - Alan JohnsonWednesday 28 March, 2007
Time: 10.30am to 11.45am
Keynote speech: Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
Chair: Stephen Twigg
Venue: Committee Room 9, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA PLEASE NOTE ROOM CHANGE(Access via St Stephen's Entrance)
Places are limited, please RSVP to: alex.bigham[at]fpc.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7729 7566
Download Alan Johnson's speech (30 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The End of Foreign Policy? Q&A with Peter HainTuesday 6 March, 2007
Rt Hon Peter Hain MP
Chair: Stephen Twigg
Kindly hosted by:
Hill & Knowlton
20 Soho Square
London W1A 1PR
About the event:
Peter Hain spoke and took questions at a packed Foreign Policy Centre discussion on "The End of Foreign Policy?" kindly hosted at the offices of Hill & Knowlton.
Since the events of September 11th, the barriers between the domestic and the international have further broken down. The old definition of "the national interest" is too narrow a guide to foreign policy in a globalised world, but we are still developing the new rules which should replace it. How can we redefine a multilateral foreign policy to encompass this new dynamic? Today's foreign policy needs to be shaped by ideas, not by events.
You can download a copy of Peter Hain's speech below
Download Peter Hain's speech to the Foreign Policy Centre (50 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Global Challenges: Europe's RoleAn ODI, Foreign Policy Centre and APGOOD Event
Global Challenges: Europe's Role
Keynote Speaker: Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Thursday 1st February, 1.00 – 2.30PM
Committee Room 10, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA (please use St Stephen's entrance) PLEASE NOTE ROOM CHANGE
At this joint ODI, Foreign Policy Centre and All Party Parliamentary Group on Overseas Development (APGOOD) event, Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister for Europe will speak about the role Europe can play in addressing today's major global challenges.
The Minister would like his speech to focus on the thoughts of the audience in this respect and to this end, you are invited to submit your own thoughts here in response to the following questions:
1. Which three main global challenges are especially suited for a Europe-wide response?
2. What three main strengths and three main weaknesses will determine whether the EU is or is not able to deliver a good response?
3. What does the UK and wider European development/external relations community have to do differently to make sure the weaknesses are overcome?
All feedback received in response to these questions will be passed to the Minister's office in advance of the event and his speech will endeavour to address the major themes which emerge.
If you would like to attend, please click here to register your place and submit your thoughts on the Minister's questions: http://www.odi.org.uk/speeches/apgood/international_development/1stFeb07/form.html
Please note that the deadline for submitting feedback is 12.00NOON on Thursday 18th January. Submissions received after then will not be passed to the Minister's office, although you will still be able to register for the meeting until 48 hours before the event.
Download Geoff Hoon's speech (30 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The French and Dutch Referendums: Lessons for BritainRoyal Netherlands Embassy, London
On 9 June 2005 Quentin Peel, the Foreign Editor of the Financial Times, chaired a discussion between leaders of the French and Dutch campaigns on the EU Constitution and its implications for the British vote.
The event offered the opportunity for a high-level group of UK policy-makers, campaigners, business leaders and media representatives to discuss the results of both referendums; the reasons behind the results; necessary future action by the EU as well as the lessons to be learned for a potential British vote.
Paneliests were Nick Clegg MP, Monique Saliou-Gloux of the French Socialist Party and Lousewies van der Laan, deputy leader of the Dutch Liberal Democratic Party (D66).
The event report will be posted soon.
Download the event report (30 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Parliamentary scrutiny of EU legislation A seminar with:
Sir Digby Jones
Director-General, The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
and
Dr Denis MacShane MP
Minister of State for Europe
Monday 4 April 2005
The debate over how national governments and parliaments can best scrutinise European legislation is of critical importance to the evolution of the EU.
This seminar marked the launch of a new pamphlet from The Foreign Policy Centre, 'UK Parliamentary Scrutiny of EU Legislation', by Sir Digby Jones (Director-General, The Confederation of British Industry), with a preface by Dr Denis MacShane MP, British Minister for Europe.
It sets out the key advantages and flaws of the current scrutiny system, and identifies the priorities for reform.
Social Capital: A policy tool for North and South?On March 29, the Barrow Cadbury Trust and The Foreign Policy Centre hosted a Global Exchange Forum conference on 'Social Capital: A Policy Tool for North and South?'. The conference brought together some of the luminaries on social capital and related debates from the North and the South, including: Professor Anthony Giddens; Matilde Ribeiro, Minister for Race Equality (Brazil); Maxine Molyneux, Institute of Latin American Studies; Anthony Heath, Oxford University; Jean Pierre Voyer, Policy Research Initiative (Canada); Michael Woolcock, World Bank; Raja Dharmapala, Dharmavedi Institute (Sri Lanka); David Halpern, Prime Minister's Strategy Unit.
The aim of the conference was to improve channels of communications and create networks between Northern and Southern policymaking communities, both inside and outside of government. It explored ways in which social capital has been understood in different contexts and how it has been applied in key areas of policy. In particular, it focused on three areas: the empowerment of women, managing communities under stress and improving race relations.