Key speakers include Jean-Paul Fitoussi, S&D president Gianni Pittella, Christophe Nijdam (FinanceWatch), and Nadia Urbinati (Columbia University).
 
On 23 and 24 April 2015, one hundred international young people (53 female, 47 male) aged between 18 and 25 coming from forty different countries will take part in the first-ever European 'School of Democracy'.
 
Promoted by the European Socialists and Democrats, in cooperation with the Fondazione Cervi (named after a well-known Italian anti-fascist partisan), this unique event will take place in Reggio Emilia (Italy). 
 
The one hundred participants were selected at the end of February from 993 applications on the basis of their CVs and motivation letter. They represent the 28 EU countries and also Ukraine, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Serbia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. Among them, there could quite possibly be some of our future leaders.
 
During this two day event, plenary sessions and smaller workshops will alternate allowing the young participants to network and share their views.
 
The topics addressed will range from the financial crisis and the EU-US trade agreement to migration, multiculturalism, social rights, the rise of populism and extremism, and generally cover all the important issues currently under debate at the European level.
 
Several international academics and key speakers will interact with the young participants, including:
 
Jean-Paul Fitoussi
S&D president Gianni Pittella
Christophe Nijdam (FinanceWatch)
Nadia Urbinati (Columbia University)
Malika Hamidi (Director of the European Muslim Network)
Annamaria Artner (Hungarian senior researcher)
Richard Bellamy (European University Institute)
Patrick Itchert (European Trade Union Confederation)
Conny Reuter (SOLIDAR).

 
For the full draft programme, click here
 
 
Note to the editors:
The plenary sessions will be web streamed and open to the public. If you wish to cover the entire event or interview the speakers and the participants, please contact Paolo Alberti, S&D Press Officer - mob. +32 476 955144 paolo.alberti@europarl.europa.eu

S&D press contact