A number of small, very intensive seminars added more in depth information to the "Europe and Euro..." Project. The seminars had about 50 participants each and lasted for two days. During these two days the participants discussed, mainly in workshops, the questions which appeared during the thematic conferences. Seminars were organised in Bayreuth, Dublin, London and in Thessaloniki.

7-9 November 1997, Thessaloniki, seminar…unification vs marginalisation
The seminar was linked to the Athina conference. It dealt with the consequences for countries not joining the EMU from the beginning. Special attention was given to the Balkan region. (Click here for a summary)

21-23 November 1997, Bayreuth, seminar ...the financial markets
In Bayreuth the Frankfurt conference was taken as reference. During the seminar the consequences for the European stockmarket and its financial institutions active on it, were analysed. (Click here for a summary)

24-26 November 1997, London, seminar ...the long way to the Euro
The special situation of the UK within the EU and the EMU was the main topic of the seminar in London. Especially the implications on the financial markets as well as political and economical consequences were analysed here. (Click here for a summary)

28-30 November 1997, Dublin, seminar ...stepping stone towards an Political Union?
After Coimbra, the discussion on politics went on in Dublin. The participants explored the fact whether there were links between EMU and EPU via a more scientific approach. EMU leads to EPU, the other way around, no links at all, irreversible connected. (Click here for summary)

Summaries

Europe and Euro…unification vs. marginalisation
Thessaloniki, Seminar, 7-9 November 1997

"The key to success is unity"

The seminar in Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of 1997, tried to deepen the topics that were dealt with in Athina. More than 120 persons attended the opening ceremony in the amphitheatre of the university of Macedonia. Among them were the Rector of Aristoteles university, members of the Greek Parliament, professors of the universities of Thessaloniki, consuls and representatives of youth organisations. The ceremony opened with some songs from Chatzidakis. A reception took place at the university hall offered by the Municipality of Thessaloniki.

One of the most interesting lectures was given by Mr. Tsorbatzoglou. He explained that national currencies ceases to exist as elements of national identity. He pointed out that the ‘EU for the citizens’ is a necessity for the success of the EMU. He concluded his lecture by stating "The key to success is unity". In one of the workshops the participants were able to extend the conversation concerning the convergence criteria, while in another workshop they were given the opportunity to express their suggestions and views concerning the future of EMU. Participants from the Balkan were concerned about the possible effects of the EMU on their region. Although many of the Greek participants expressed their wish to enter the EMU from the beginning, they came to the conclusion that this is impossible in 1999. AEGEE-Thessaloniki

Europe and Euro…the financial markets
Bayreuth, Seminar, 21-23 November 1997

"Only the one that changes, will remain the same"

The seminar of Bayreuth was thematically connected to the conference in Frankfurt. On this occasion 65 students from all over Europe came together at the Akzent Hotel Bayreuth. The introduction was held by Dr. Hoepfner, who gave a general survey over the recent developments of EMU and an outlook on future perspectives. This was followed by a workshop about the political and social situation in Europe by Mr. Asimus. He argued that foreign investors see the Euro as a factor of facilitation of the trade with European enterprises. After the lunch break Dr. Schlick talked about external fundraising of enterprises followed by Dr. Huecks’ workshop concerning the development of government bonds on the European capital markets.

Sunday began with the presentation by Mr. Wetzel, first director of the National Central Bank of Bavaria. He talked about the future tasks and the role of the EC. On their lunch-break the participants improved their knowledge of Bavarian life-style eating Weißwurst and Leberkäse, a typical Bavarian dish.

So prepared they heard the last presentation by Mr. Hegarty, the secretary general of the Fédération des Experts comtables. He explained the consequences of the EMU on the capital markets and talked about possible trends of investment banking. Concluding, one can say that this seminar offered a survey as well as specified information about the financial markets in the EMU and therefore completely fulfilled the expectations of the participants. AEGEE-Bayreuth

Europe and Euro…the long way to the Euro
London, Seminar, 24-26 November 1997

Referendum will decide whether Britain will join EMU

Unlike the other seminars, this one was not thematically coupled to any of the project’s conferences. This was due to the fact that Britain entertains her own and very specific views on Europe, let alone the single currency. Britain is still very detached in even thinking about engaging in any pact with the rest of Europe.

There was general consensus between the extraordinarily high quality and calibre of speakers (MEP’s, MP’s, academics, journalists and economists) that Britain will not be joining EMU before 2001 i.e. the next general elections. Probably 2003 will be possible some speakers said. A referendum will then decide whether or not Britain will participate in the EMU. The outcome of this referendum will depend on whether the British can distance themselves from the traditional view that Britain is an island and instead start realising that it is merely a country surrounded by water. The role of media could be a crucial one in this perspective although some speakers argued that media in Britain represents public opinion, and doesn't influence public opinion that much in itself.

A reception with Mr. Bond, a CD of £2 only of a well performing rock band, and the use of ‘real’ euro-money during the European Night were the highlights of the social program. AEGEE-London

Europe and Euro… stepping stone towards a Political Union?
Dublin, Seminar, 27-29 November 1997

"Ireland should have been on the other side of Britain"

"This seminar was our first event. We had 35 participants who sampled the internationally known Irish hospitality and beer", Domhnall Egan said, main organiser of the seminar in Dublin. The seminar began with a debate, having been preceded by a wine reception, on Ireland and the EMU. The issues were trashed out here and the participants really got into the spirit of things with some very hard hitting questions been posed. The Irish position is a delicate one as Irish people themselves are quite positive about the EMU but many fear the close relations with Britain. As Britain will not join from the beginning…

On Friday there were two lectures: ‘Political Union in the US will it happen in the EU?’, and ‘EMU and EPU are they really related?’. It became clear that the word ‘Political Union’ is a complex one and that it can be defined in several ways. A simulation game followed and the evening was spent investigating a hand-picked selection of Irish pubs. On Saturday morning a bleary eyed audience listened to experts on the implications of the EMU for business. The conference was then wrapped up by a series of workshops in the afternoon.

The conference was great fun organising and although we were an inexperienced committee we managed to make it a reality. AEGEE-Dublin