AEGEE organised thematic conferences, which were information and discussion events, in order to spread high quality information to young people. Each of the conferences covered a different aspect of the European Monetary Union, which were analysed during the introductory conference in Rotterdam. There were conferences in Athina, Coimbra, Frankfurt and Lyon. Every three-day-conference was designed for a broader public of about 200 participants. In order to publicise these conferences, AEGEE will use many different media targeting especially young people, including modern means of communication like the Internet.

16-18 April 1997, Rotterdam, conference ...what do I face?
The first conference in Rotterdam gave a general overview of the different aspects of the EMU and raised awareness among the participants. The individual concerns of the citizens facing this big change, the impact on the personal life with the influence upon the job market and the personal identity were the central questions on this conference. (Click here for a summary)

8-11 October 1997, Frankfurt, conference ...the financial markets
One of the biggest financial capitals of Europe, Frankfurt, hosted the conference about the financial aspects concerning EMU. The right place to discuss the role of the future European Central Bank combined with a visit to the European Monetary Institute. Next to this, the impact and consequences for banks and stock markets were analysed. Corporate and public financing in the changed environment were other important topics. (Click here for a summary)

17-19 October 1997, Coimbra, conference ...starting the Political Union?
In Coimbra the aspects of the EMU as probable breakthrough towards a Political Union were in the centre of the discussion, as the EMU could force the participating states to a closer co-operation. Will the EMU result in a Political Union and what will it look like? Also its consequences on institutions and companies were included here. (Click here for a summary)

23-26 October 1997, Athina, conference ...unification vs marginalisation
In Athina the participants looked from the angle of those countries, not participating in the EMU from the beginning. Next to this the eventual unfavourable effects of the EMU on economical weak groups were analysed. Will the EMU lead to unity or division in Europe? Who benefits from the EMU in the long run? (Click here for a summary)

4-6 December 1997, Lyon, conference ...the political frame
The first gave a general overview on the economic aspects of the EMU. During the second day the consequences for banks, financial markets and small and medium enterprises were addressed. The central theme of the first day of the conference in Lyon will be the future of political and economic co-operation within the European Union and the political balance in the world when the Euro is introduced. (Click here for a summary)

Summaries

"The public should not to feel left out in realizing the EMU"

The opening conference of the project took place at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. "During three days about 150 students were able to discuss the consequences of the EMU for the European public and the way people are involved in the process", says Jane Zoutendijk from AEGEE-Rotterdam.

Dr. A. Wellink, currently President of the Dutch Central Bank, gave an overview of the historical process towards economic and monetary union in Europe. He stated that "when a single currency was propagated in the past, this was usually done in the form of a plea in favour of a politically united Europe". Mr. A. Metten, member of European Parliament, showed that this link is not that clear anymore nowadays as he talked about the present state of the EMU. The debates are dominated by economical arguments; an evaluation of the criteria and the participants.

During a panel discussion, Mr. A. Klamer, economist and euro-sceptic, stated that "debates in the international media are necessary so as to make it possible for citizens to get a clear view for themselves of what ‘being a European’ really means".

The central theme of the second day was ‘the consequences of the EMU for the European citizens’. Mr. A. Swings, a Groupeuro speaker, pointed out that the euro will give both mathematical and psychological problems for individuals.

Also the implications for business were discussed in Rotterdam. There were workshops given by ABN-AMRO and at Moret Ernst & Young. A reception was offered by the City of Rotterdam in the old City Hall. The opening conference showed that the (personal) implications of EMU will be far-reaching and should not be underestimated. AEGEE-Rotterdam

Europe and Euro…the financial markets
Frankfurt, Conference, 8-11 October 1997

"If the EMU fails, the idea of the EU fails."

"It was no coincidence that the first conference organised by AEGEE-Gießen took place in Frankfurt. Frankfurt is near to Gießen and the site of 400 banks, 180 insurance and 200 leasing companies. Furthermore, it is the site of the European Monetary Institute (EMI), the predecessor of the European Central Bank", explains Jörg Neumeyer, main organiser of the conference.

In total 10 lectures, 8 workshops and a concluding panel discussion were given for 150 participants from all European countries.

Dr. von Rosen, one of the leading pro-Euro speakers in Germany, explained the need of the creation of a European stock index. Robert Deane, Secretary for Economics and Finances at the British Embassy in Bonn was very sure that London will not loose its leading position on the European financial markets to Frankfurt.

During the second day, excursions lead to the Frankfurt airport, the German stockmarket, the Hessian Central bank and to the EMI. The president of the Hessian Central Bank even gave a present to the participants: 75.000 DM - unfortunately cut into pieces and pressed as a cube.

The highlight of the last day was a panel discussion with an economics professor from Madrid, a German politician and two representatives of banks, one being Mr. Burghagen, the Euro-coordinator of the Dresdner Bank Group. He was positively surprised about the high quality of the conference.

With participants and speakers coming from different countries and from different occupations, the main opinion was that the Euro should be fostered and promoted among citizens, and that it is going to be the major task for the near future to ensure a smooth introduction without obstacles. "If the EMU fails, and the single currency is not introduced, the idea of the EU fails", said Professor Spahn from the University of Frankfurt. AEGEE-Gießen

Europe and Euro…starting the Political Union?
Coimbra, Conference, 17-19 October 1997

Mr. Pinheiro and Mr. Soares congratulate and support activities of AEGEE!

"You are the future of Europe. Organisations like AEGEE can, must and will construct Europe". Mr. M. Soares, former Portuguese President, said this during his stay at the conference. Some of the participants had the possibility to talk personally with European Commissioner Pinheiro. Peter Ginser, President of AEGEE-Europe at that time, took part in the opening session of the conference and became master of exclusive drawings of Mr. Pinheiro. As there were many prominent speakers and guests, the social and cultural program was very exclusive, also for the participants.

The conference was divided in four different main panels, each one comprising different distinctive political personalities. The first panel was named "The European Monetary Union - Past and Present" and was meant to introduce and analyse the EMU process. In this panel it became clear that a lot of people fear the loss of the national currency as it could be problematic for the weakest European economies. They loose one of the most important economic correction tools, often used in the past.

The members of the panel named, "EMU, the beginning of a Political Union?", clearly stated that there was no doubt for them that the EMU should and would be a step towards further political integration. Some of the panellists warned about the importance not to forget the social cohesion in the European Union during the current developments. The conference was an important discussion forum to inform young people about Europe and the EMU and to show that Europe isn’t alive only in the minds of the politicians in Brussels. AEGEE-Coimbra

Europe and Euro…unification vs. marginalisation
Athina, Conference, 24-26 October 1997

"The EMU dilemma"

The conference in Athina included four sessions: Introduction, Perspectives and problems of EU countries deriving from the EMU, Marginalisation risks of social groups, the EMU and the sacrifices in its name - who is benefited from the EMU? In average 200 persons attended the conference. We welcomed two former ministers, members of the Greek Parliament, the General Secretary for Youth, MEP’s, the President of the National Youth Council of Greece, and several ambassadors. Notably, the conference was honoured by the moral support of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. K. Stefanopoulos. The opening ceremony took place in the Ceremonial hall of the Athens University of Economics and Business. This first day ended with an official reception. The main part of the conference, lodging of the participants and all meals took place in the luxurious hotel Titania.

The discussions proved out to be extremely fruitful. The elements that marked the conference were the strong interaction of the audience with the lecturers and the diversity of scientific backgrounds and points of view expressed by the speakers. Among the speakers were MEP’s, prominent professors of major universities in Athens, novelists, historians, representatives of trade unions and NGO’s and specialised journalists as chairpersons. The main sponsors of the conference were the European Union, the General Secretary for Youth, Alfa Pisteos Bank, and the AUEB.

The last time AEGEE-Athina organised a European conference was in 1988. The conference was a success for AEGEE-Athina with multiple positive effects: the response and participation in the event demonstrated the impact we can have on the discussion on European issues in the local society. The event had considerable promotion in the national press and radio. The quality of the event established AEGEE as a major partner in the field of Youth and European issues in Greece. AEGEE-Athina

Europe and Euro…the political frame
Lyon, Conference, 4-6 December 1997

"A strong or weak Euro is irrelevant. A stable Euro is what matters"

"We are a motivated group of students in Lyon that took the challenge to organise a big event that would be the start for a new antenna in the second town of France", Sebastien Garreta of AEGEE-Lyon says. "AEGEE-Lyon will become an official AEGEE antenna after only a few months of existence".

In total over 500 people visited the conference, mainly from high schools. During three days, lectures and panel discussions took place in two universities: EM Lyon (business school) and Centrale Lyon (engineering school). Among the lecturers was Christian de Boissieu, a famous French economist from the university Paris-Sorbonne. In his speech he clearly explained why the discussion of a strong or weak currency was an irrelevant one and that people have no reason to have fears about this. "What matters is a stable Euro, this is our concern.", he said. Other speakers were Alain Malegarie, Executive officer of the Euro Institute and member of the Groupeuro, Nicolas Resseguier, Director of Regional Affairs at the Banque de France, Bernard Courbis and Jean-Pierre Allegret, economists at the University Lyon III, and Bernard Laurent, economist at EM Lyon.

For our first event, held in French and in competition with two other AEGEE events, we didn’t attract that many AEGEE members. Nevertheless, the ones that attended the event could profit from a rich social programme including a dinner in a "bouchon lyonnais" (Lyon is the world capital for gastronomy). Our biggest satisfaction was when they wrote to us, sending us photographs and promising they will come back to Lyon. AEGEE-Lyon