The S&D Group’s third annual School of Democracy kicked off in Reggio Emilia yesterday evening. Over three days, one hundred young people from over 30 different countries will debate and discuss the future of Europe with leading politicians, academics and civil society leaders. A range of high-level figures will speak including S&D Group president Gianni Pittella, Susan George, president of the Transnational Institute, and Sergei Stanishev, president of the Party of European Socialists.
 
The initiative is organised by the S&D Group as a way of bringing young progressives together with leading politicians and thinkers.
 
S&D Group president Gianni Pittella, who developed the idea for the project, said:

"We are meeting at a historic time for Europe. In the wake of the Brexit vote, it is essential we find a new progressive vision for Europe.  The next three days are aimed at young Europeans and are dedicated to debate, training and discussing policy around the large challenges we face in Europe and around the world: the rise of illiberal democracy, managing globalisation, development in Africa, and the Arab Spring six years on.
 
"The young people here this week are the leaders of tomorrow and their ideas will help shape our vision for the years to come. Together we can help rebuild progressive politics in Europe."
 
The School of Democracy is one of the biggest initiatives in political training in Europe.
 
The plenary sessions will be live streamed on the S&D’s website http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/

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