This month’s talk with the International Study Group (ISG), on Monday 11 March, is about the critical issues facing Europe with Klaus van der Pas, a devoted European integration advocate. Klaus will address some of the problems that a Trump presidency could pose for Europe as well as the threats from expansive Russian aggression.
Nikolaus (Klaus) van der Pas, had a long career in the European Commission. In the many areas of his activity (including as spokesperson, EU enlargement, culture & education, and employment & social affairs) he has always been fascinated by an apparent contradiction: how come that a highly successful project for peace and prosperity among European countries is often portrayed as complicated, bureaucratic, remote from European citizens, undemocratic, and incapable of acting quickly and efficiently in response to crises. Think of dramas around the Euro, immigration, climate, the rule of law and, lately, Russian aggression.
In his presentation, he will give a look behind the scenes and try to give an answer to his own question, which might also be your’s: “Can the EU handle today’s critical issues?” He will be objective (warts and all) but he is a fervent European, convinced that if the EU didn’t exist, it would be urgent to create it.
Klaus was born in Munich in 1943 and has devoted almost his entire career to European integration. He had many assignments in the European Commission including foreign affairs counsellor for European Commissioner Willy De Clercq and Commission President Jacques Delors. He contributed to strengthening the relations between the EU and neighbouring EFTA countries. After a spell as Chief Spokesman for the European Commission, he started negotiations on the biggest EU enlargement in Eastern Europe, as well as Cyprus and Malta. Giving the EU also a “cultural face”, he promoted cultural cooperation, exchanges, and dialogue. Until his retirement in June 2009, he was Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Following his retirement in June 2009, he chaired the EU Commission’s Ad Hoc Ethical Committee, and advised some Brussels think tanks. He’s still active in practical charity work, assisting Street Nurses, an NGO doing admirable work to improve the lot of homeless people in Brussels and Liège.
What, where when?
The talk is on Monday, 11 March 2024 at Château Malou, Avenue Pierre Levie 2, 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. There is free parking around the Château the nearest public transport is Tram 8 (Stop Voot) and Bus 28 (Stops Deportés or Parc Malou).
Welcome coffee at 10.00 am with the programme starting at 10.30 am. Guests are welcome for a €10 fee payable on the door. For more information on the International Study Group (ISG) visit their website or Facebook page.
