Academic event — ‘Pierre Werner and Luxembourg: a vision of Europe’

In connection with the ‘Pierre Werner et l’Europe’ research project, the Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l’Europe, Robert Triffin International (Belgium) and the Pierre Werner Foundation (Luxembourg), with the participation of PIE Peter Lang International Academic Publishers, organised an academic event entitled ‘Pierre Werner and Luxembourg: a vision of Europe’.

The event, which was attended by 70 figures from the political and diplomatic arena as well as from banking, academic and cultural circles in Belgium and across Europe, took place on 23 February 2016 at the University Foundation in Brussels. (The programme is available for consultation here.)

The event opened with addresses from Professor Bernard Snoy, President of Robert Triffin International, Marianne Backes, Director of the CVCE, and Henri Werner, son of Pierre Werner.

Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission and Chairman of the Patronage Committee for the ‘Pierre Werner and Europe’ research project (set up in 2011 when the project was launched) sent a video message to the participants of this event that focused on the role of Luxembourg and its prominent figures in the European integration process. 

The evening continued with a presentation of the book ‘Pierre Werner et l’Europe: pensée, action, enseignements/Pierre Werner and Europe: His Approach, Action and Legacy’, edited by Elena Danescu, Researcher at the CVCE and coordinator of the ‘Pierre Werner and Europe’ research project, and Susana Muñoz, Head of European Integration Studies at the CVCE, and recently published by PIE Peter Lang.

Pierre Werner’s European achievements were illustrated by an enhanced biographical documentary (2016 version) produced by the CVCE using historical accounts recorded for its ‘Pierre Werner and Europe’ research project and Oral History Programme, as well as images and photos from the Werner family archives.

Jacques Santer, Honorary Minister of State, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg and former President of the European Commission, closed the event with a lecture entitled ‘Small country, grand vision: Luxembourg and the European idea’.

 

Programm of the event: