The European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT and Contemporary European Studies Association of Australia (CESAA) invite you to this online event to celebrate Europe Day 2020.

Ursula Von Der Leyen and the new College of Commissioners took office on 1 December 2019, alongside a new President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Since then they have released the European Green Deal only then to see the formal exit of the UK from the EU, and then the outbreak of COVID-19 with devastating consequences for many European citizens and significant disruption to the livelihoods of most Europeans.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel and attention is turning to the next steps as restrictions are lifted. What are the immediate challenges for the new leaders, and how do they refocus on their vision for a more democratic, equitable, greener and more prosperous Europe?

Guest Speakers:

Prof Bruno Mascitelli, Swinburne University of Technology

Dr Nina Marković-Khaze, Macquarie University

Dr Serena Lee Kelly, University of Canterbury (NZ)

Event details:

This is a free online event.

You are invited to register now and we will send you the event link closer to the date.

About the Speakers:

Professor Bruno Mascitelli, Swinburne University of Technology

Dr Nina Marković-Khaze, Macquarie University

Dr Serena Kelly is a lecturer in European and European Union Studies and deputy director of the National Centre for Research on Europe, University of Canterbury and chair of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Christchurch branch, New Zealand. Serena has been a project leader of, and contributor to, a number of external EU perceptions research projects, including on perceptions of the EU in the Asia-Pacific. These projects examine Elite, Media and public opinion perceptions of the EU. Her current research examines the impact of BREXIT on New Zealand and the proposed EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement. She is also currently undertaking a research project on New Zealand perceptions of Ireland. Serena’s findings have been published in esteemed journals and is a regular contributor to local New Zealand media outlets on EU issues. Her research interests include: European diplomacy, international political communication and Europe’s relations, presence, impact in and, with the Asia Pacific.