The State of the Union takes place in Florence and Online between Thursday 6 May and Friday 7 May 2021. This forthcoming edition marks the tenth anniversary of the European University Institute’s flagship conference which over the past decade has firmly established itself as a key forum for discussion and debate on the most pertinent issues facing Europe and Europeans.

We are celebrating this historic occasion with a dynamic hybrid event which will bring together world leaders, diplomats, policy makers, academics, and civil society representatives to debate and reflect on the theme ‘Europe in a Changing World’ before an online global audience.

The conference will address the challenges and opportunities for Europe amidst rising concerns over global commons and the climate emergency, a shifting economic and geopolitical power balance, major challenges to multilateralism, and the ongoing global battle against COVID-19. 

Europe’s role on the global stage will be tackled across sessions on artificial intelligence , climate, geopolitics, global economy, multilateralism, peace and human rights, public health, and strategic autonomy.  

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