The final conference, which was held in Eindhoven, was a summary of the whole series of events and presented all the results of the conferences, the seminar-debates and the local events. Some of the best speakers of all the previous events were invited again. The final conference was designed for a wider public of about 300 participants.

11-14 December 1997, Eindhoven, final conference
Eindhoven, Final Conference, 11-14 December 1997

"The Euro is coming to get you ! Be prepared!"

This is what was stated on the posters with the fair blue sky and the Euro-plane. More than 300 students from all over Europe listened to this warning. In 2002, a single European coin, the Euro, will be introduced. Since the consequences of this introduction are not as plain as ‘the nose on one's face’, people should be informed sufficiently in order to be able to comprehend the many, many consequences. The Final Conference, AEGEE-event of the year, addressed the introduction of the Euro from three perspectives.

On the first day, the social and cultural consequences were discussed. The day started with a brief introduction on the recent development of the Economic Monetary Union by the president of the European Investment Bank, Sir Brian Unwin. Next, the influence of the introduction of the Euro on culture was discussed: Is this the beginning of a European culture? Are we losing our identity or are we gaining one? What is social Europe? Dr. Olila, president of Corporate Anthropology consultants BV, stated that culture is not a problem. However, it can and probably will be used as an excuse.

During the second day, the financial and economical consequences were addressed. For the first time in AEGEE-history, a conference was organised for and participated by both students and entrepreneurs. Famous speakers from Dutch enterprises, like Mr. Jan Timmer (former president of Philips electronics), gave lectures and discussed the financial issues in interactive workshops.

On the third day, the political consequences were discussed. Next to discussion of what consequences the introduction of the Euro would imply for the politics in Europe, Prof. Dr. Von Lazar discussed the American point of view. In the afternoon, the European Parliament was simulated. Point of discussion was: "which countries should participate in the first group to join the EMU?".

After a ‘good old magical’ European night, everybody had the opportunity to become human again before the conference was closed with a panel discussion. Besides some small comments on the boring breakfast and the ‘almost’ perfect sleeping facilities, most participants really enjoyed the Final Conference. Especially, the great speakers and the fancy suites of the organisers were appreciated. And most of all, they prepared themselves...........AEGEE-Eindhoven