The European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT University and the European Studies Association Australia and New Zealand (ESAANZ) invite you to this online event on the key messages and reactions from the European Union 2020: State of the Union.

The President of the European Commission presents a State of the Union address each year. This speech offers the President an opportunity to set out the vision for Europe to the European Parliament, and outline work planned for the coming year. It is a key date in Europe’s calendar and a key part of Europe’s democratic processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has overshadowed Ursula von der Leyen’s first year as Commission President. State of the Union 2020 will be an opportunity to reset and refocus on the Commission’s vision for the future. Recovery funding, the European Green Deal, strategy for a Digital Europe, and European unity are expected to make up the key themes of von der Leyen’s speech, and the debate with MEPs that will follow.

ONLINE EVENT  EUROPEAN UNION 2020: STATE OF THE UNION    The European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT University and the European Studies Association Australia and New Zealand (ESAANZ) invite you to this online event on the key messages and reactions from the European Union 2020: State of the Union. The President of the European Commission presents a State of the Union address each year. This speech offers the President an opportunity to set out the vision for Europe to the European Parliament, and outline work planned for the coming year. It is a key date in Europe’s calendar, and a key part of Europe’s democratic processes. The COVID-19 pandemic has overshadowed Ursula von der Leyen’s first year as Commission President. State of the Union 2020 will be an opportunity to reset and refocus on the Commission’s vision for the future. Recovery funding, the European Green Deal, strategy for a Digital Europe, and European unity are expected to make up the key themes of von der Leyen’s speech, and the debate with MEPs that will follow. This panel will review the key messages from the State of the Union and reactions from various audiences across Europe. It will also consider the implications for partnerships with Australia, and how Australia might address some of its own challenges in the future.   Panel / Speakers Professor Martin Holland  Director National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE) University of Canterbury, New Zealand Dr Chloe Ward Research Fellow European Union Centre of Excellence RMIT University, Australia Ms Anne McNaughton Director Centre for European Studies Australian National University  When Thursday 17 September 2020  12.30 pm to 2 pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) Where   Online   Cost  Free Registration is essential  RSVP here [1] We will send you the event link closer to the date. For more information about this event click this flier [2].  Social media hashtag for this event #SOTEU European Union Centre of Excellence Social and Global Studies Centre RMIT University, Melbourne Email: [email protected] [3] Web: rmit.edu.au/eucentre [4] Let's also connect on twitter @RMIT_EU_CENTRE  [5](8K followers)  The European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT University is funded through grants from the EU Jean Monnet Programme and RMIT University. RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. Copyright © 2020 EU Centre at RMIT, All rights reserved.