A new narrative for Europe? Towards a European public sphere

Mgr. Caterina Amigoni, MSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

this study takes its starting point in the analysis of ‘A New Narrative for Europe’ initiative, a project promoted by the European Commission together with the European Parliament, and launched by President Barroso on the 23rd April 2013; it calls for the establishment of a “stronger European public space debate, where fundamental issues for our Union could be addressed from a European perspective”. It encouraged the participation of intellectuals, artists, scientists and all European citizens to give their contribution by bringing new ideas and reflections for the creation of a new narrative for Europe, to continue writing ‘the book’ of Europe. Seventeen Member States took part in this project, organizing conferences, seminars, meetings on the topic, usually only for a one-day activity. The only exception was the implementation of the New Narrative in Portugal, which lasted seven months, involving schools, universities, cultural and educational institutions from all over the country, and producing numerous proposals and narratives, establishing a real national dialogue on fundamental issues for the future of Europe.

Keywords

New Narrative project, European public sphere

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 8. 2015

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 27. 8. 2015
• Supervisor: Dr. Wieger Bakker
• Reader: prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / European Governance