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Location of the "Europa-Forum Wachau"

The "Europa-Forum Wachau" is a discussion meeting that was first held in 1995 in Göttweig Abbey in Lower Austria. Since 1995, the meeting has been held annually with the exception of 2006[1].The event is mostly held in June but has been moved to May and July in previous years because of special circumstances[2][3].

The inaugural Europa-Forum Wachau took place in 1995, the same year that Austria entered the European Union, with the purpose to strengthen closeness to citizens and to serve as an impulse and discussion platform for political decisions concerning Europe[4]. The discussion meeting is held by the club "Europa-Forum Wachau" in partnership with the "Federal Ministry for european and international matters" and the land government of Lower Austria. The event focuses on political developments of the danube region. Special attention goes to security related, regional, economical and cultural topics. The austrian publicist and host Paul Lendvai has been hosting the discussion event since its inauguration in 1995[5][6].

Over the years many famous European politicians attended the Europa-Forum.

Founding and Organisation[Bearbeiten]

host Paul Lendvai

The annually held Europa-Forum was founded with the goal to intensify the European thought. A big reason for this was the Austrian European Union membership referendum, 1994 on the 12th of June 1994. The location, Göttweig Abbey in Wachau was chosen specifically to demonstrate the importance of christianity in Europe politics and the closeness to citizens[7].

The yearly discussion meeting is organized by the land government of Lower Austria. Additionally, the Verein works closely with the "Austria Institut for Europe and security policy.“ and several educational institutions. The Europa-Forum is being sponsored by Raiffeisen Bankengruppe and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber amongst others[8].

The first ten years 1995 - 2004[Bearbeiten]

Six years after the Iron Curtain fell and Europe was reunited, the first Europa-Forum Wachau took place in 1995 in Göttweig Abbey. Always attending in the first ten years were then governor of Lower Austria Erwin Pröll and then federal chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel. One of the many goals is to make a contribution to the European mutual consent[7].

After the extension of the EU by ten more member states, Lower Austria was shifted into the center of the European Union, both politically and geographically. Step by step, borders to neighbouring countries like Czech Republic and Slowakia were made possible. Because of this, Lower Austria held a Three-Countries-Day with its neighbours. The new European Union of 25 was the main focus of the 10th annual "Europa-Forum Wachau"[9].

Europa-Forum Wachau in 2013 und 2014 - Crisis and Democracy[Bearbeiten]

2013[Bearbeiten]

The discussion meeting was held on the 15th and 16th June in 2013 and specifically focused on the crisis that some EU-states were in. "Beyond the crisis - Outlines of a new Europe" was a special motto of discussions between politicians of Austria, the EU and Balkan states. The meeting between Serbia’s and Kosovo’s head of government was of great importance. Then austrian outside chancellor Michael Spindelegger was responsible for the meeting of Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaçi, together they took a big step towards the European Union.

In addition to that, famous Austrian author Miguel-Herz Kestranek, Erwin Pröll, Eeuropean commissioner Johannes Hahn and Latvian politician Valdis Dombrovskis were attending as special guests and held speeches[10].

2014[Bearbeiten]

On the 17th and 18th of May 2014 the Europa-Forum Wachau took place under the motto "Democracy in Europe - We have the Choice". The conflict between Ukraine and Russia was a central topic, european security politics were also in the spotlight[11].

Yet again high-level guests, such as Erwin Pröll, former federal chancellor of Austria Alfred Gusenbauer, former minister of defense of Austria Sebastian Kurz, Johannes Hahn and Michael Spindelegger attended the discussion event. The Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vučić had to cancel his visit to the Europa-Forum because of a flood in Serbia. He was represented by the Serbian ambassador Pero Jankovic[12].

Europa-Forum Wachau 2015[Bearbeiten]

The theme of the 20th Europa-Forum was "Is Europa facing borders? Europe’s role in the world"[13]. The most important speakers were the Georgian defense minister Tina Khidasheli, Johannes Hahn, Aleksandar Vucic and former vice chancellor of Austria Reinhold Mitterlehner[14].

At the end of the event, Erwin Pröll awarded Paul Lendvai with the honor statuette of Leopold III, Margrave of Austria, the patron saint of Lower Austria, to thank him for his role as host that he has been fulfilling since the 1st Europa-Forum. 2015 was also the first time that the "Europa-Staatspreis" was awarded during this celebration[15].

Europa-Forum Wachau 2016[Bearbeiten]

The Europa-Forum 2016 took place on the 11th and 12th of June. The theme was „Europe - united in wealth, split in crisis“[16], the forum was moderated by Paul Lendvai. Discussions were held about the refugee crisis, the dangers of nationalism and populism and Europe’s position in the economy[17]. Personalities with political, economical and cultural positions were invited, such Sebastian Kurz, Erwin Pröll and Bulgarian outside chancellor Daniel Mitow[18].

Outlook for 2017[Bearbeiten]

Göttweig Abbey

The Europa-Forum 2017 is going to be held on the 10th and 11th of June in Göttweig Abbey in Lower Austria.

The event is under the motto "Closeness to citizens in Europe". The program follows the usual structure and is being split into four main topics which are:

  • security: "The EU global strategy: How can it help the EU to accomplish more security?"
  • regional: "Diversity and subsidiarity of Europe: Making decisions efficient and close to citizens."
  • economical: "Between Asia and USA: How can Europa stay competitive?"
  • cultural: "Tension between Migration, democracy and constitutionality"[19]

The contents of "Europa-Forum Wachau" 2017 are topics of discussion in a class of University Vienna in cooperation with Wikimedia Austria. The discussed topics are going to be summarized in encyclopedical form as well as translated into other languages which will broaden the informational aspect of the event[20].

Brexit[Bearbeiten]

Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs

The Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU that was decided in the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum on the 23rd of June 2016, was a huge topic of discussion during the Europa-Forum Wachau 2017. Several politicians addressed the situation during their speeches, but the most prominent stance on the Brexit was made public by Fiona Hyslop, who is the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. A big part of her speech was devoted to reassuring the audience that Scotland is continuing its pro-EU politics and is very interested in being more included into the negotations between England and the EU. Furthermore, she added that there is great worry about the economical impact the Brexit is going to have on Scotland. In addition to that she also pointed out that majority of young people voted to stay in the EU, and that there are certain obligations Scotland has to fulfill in order to support the youth who'll spend most of their lives in a non-EU Scotland.

Wolfang Brandstetter, the Austrian vice chancellor and minister of justice, mentioned the Brexit as well. He compared the EU to a house that is in deep crisis, as did Sebastian Kurz, who referred to the Brexit as challenge for the United Kingdom as well as the EU and all of its member states.

Youth in the "Europa-Forum"[Bearbeiten]

Johanna Mikl-Leitner, then elect governor for social matters, work and family in Lower Austria organized a youth plenum on the occasion of the Forum’s 10th anniversary. Young people between 18 and 25 from all 25 member states of the EU were invited to the youth plenum 2004. The goal was to strengthen the participation of young people for European topics, as well as to intensify the personal contact to young people.

„Alone we are words, together we are a poem. Europa mustn’t stay a word, Europe has to become a poem.“

Erwin Pröll: Commemorative publication to celebrate the 15th Europa-Forum Wachau[21].

In 2016, students of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences created four different PR concepts for the Europa-Forum Wachau, which focused on social media and press activities before, during and after the event. The goal was to communicate the message of Europa-Forum more broadly through technical means. A few measures of these concepts were implemented[22][23].

Literature[Bearbeiten]

  • Europa-Forum Wachau (ed.): 5 Jahre Europa-Forum Wachau. 1995 bis 1999. Redaktion: Mag. Brigitte Karner, 1999
  • Europa-Forum Wachau (ed.): Jubiläumsfestschrift Europa-Forum Wachau. 10. Europa-Forum Wachau. Schwerpunkte, Diskussionsbeiträge und Zitate aus den Jahren 1999 bis 2003. Redaktion: Mag. Brigitte Karner, 2004
  • Europa-Forum Wachau (ed.): Jubiläumsfestschrift 15. Europa-Forum Wachau. Schwerpunkte, Diskussionsbeiträge und Bilddokumente aus den Jahren 2004 bis 2009. Wissenschaftliche Beratung und Erstellung des Festschrift-Textes: AIES - Austria Institut für Europa- und Sicherheitspolitik, Maria Enzersdorf 2010

External Links[Bearbeiten]

 Commons: Julian Gräbner/Arbeitsseite – Sammlung von Bildern, Videos und Audiodateien

References[Bearbeiten]

  1. https://europaforum.at/archiv/european-forum-wachau-2006/
  2. https://europaforum.at/archiv/european-forum-wachau-1995/
  3. https://europaforum.at/archiv/european-forum-wachau-2016/
  4. Europa-Forum Wachau (Hrsg.): 5 Jahre Europa-Forum Wachau. 1995 bis 1999. Redaktion: Mag. Brigitte Karner, 1999, S. 15
  5. Lendvai: "Vorhänge sind im Kopf geblieben" vom 14.6.2015, abgerufen am 28. April 2017, http://noe.orf.at/radio/stories/2716045/
  6. https://europaforum.at/archiv/european-forum-wachau-2016/
  7. 7,0 7,1 Europa-Forum Wachau (Hrsg.): 5 Jahre Europa-Forum the Wachau. 1995 bis 1999. Redaktion: Mag. Brigitte Karner, 1999
  8. Europa-Forum Wachau: Sponsoren
  9. Europa-Forum Wachau (Hrsg.): Jubiläumsfestschrift Europa-Forum Wachau. 10. Europa-Forum Wachau. Schwerpunkte, Diskussionsbeiträge und Zitate aus den Jahren 1999 bis 2003. Redaktion: Mag. Brigitte Karner, 2004
  10. Margaretha Kopeinig : ‘‘Heikles Zusammentreffen der Balkan-Politiker. Spindelegger bringt Serben und Kosovaren beim Europa-Forum in Göttweig zusammen.‘‘ Kurier vom 16. Juni 2013, abgerufen am 28. April 2017.
  11. H. Bütler: "Suche nach Antworten in der Ukraine-Krise. Notizen vom Europa-Forum Wachau" NZZ vom 21. Mai 2014
  12. "Pläne für Europas Zukunft." ORF vom 18. Mai 2015
  13. 20. Europa-Forum: "Stößt Europa an seine Grenzen? Zur Rolle Europas in der Welt"
  14. Österreichische Landesregierung, Presseaussendung 14. April 2015
  15. Erstmalige Verleihung der Europa-Staatspreise des Außenministeriums in drei Kategorien.
  16. Presseaussendung 2016
  17. Flüchtlingsproblem ist Nagelprobe für die EU
  18. Presseaussendung
  19. Europa-Forum Wachau: "https://europaforum.at/program/deutsch/", abgerufen am 28. April 2017.
  20. Seite der Lehrveranstaltung (SS 2017) des Instituts für Kommunikationswissenschaft und Publizistik in Kooperation mit Wikiversity
  21. Europa-Forum Wachau (Hrsg.): Jubiläumsfestschrift Europa-Forum Wachau. 10. Europa-Forum Wachau. Schwerpunkte, Diskussionsbeiträge und Zitate aus den Jahren 1999 bis 2003. Redaktion: Mag. Brigitte Karner, 2004, S. 29
  22. https://www.fhstp.ac.at/de/newsroom/news/europa-forum-wachau-2016
  23. https://www.fhstp.ac.at/de/newsroom/news/pr-konzept-fuer-europa-forum-wachau-1

Artikel wurde in der englischen Wikipedia veröffentlicht