On 11 December 2024, the Robert Schuman Centre hosted former European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni for an EMU Lab lecture on Europe’s role in a world of shifting global dynamics.
Held in the historic Palazzo Buontalenti—home to the School of Transnational Governance—the event began with opening remarks by EUI Secretary-General Marco del Panta and Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa Chair Professor Marco Buti. They introduced the Economic and Monetary Union Laboratory (EMU Lab), which was launched in January 2024 as a collaborative initiative of the Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa Chair and the Pierre Werner Chair, held by Professor Giancarlo Corsetti, to advance discussions on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union.
Gentiloni reflected on the pressing global challenges of our time, such as conflicts, the social impacts of inflation, rising energy costs, and the risk of recession. Drawing on his experiences as Italy’s Prime Minister and as a European Commissioner, he shared insights into pivotal moments such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite these difficulties, Gentiloni highlighted Europe’s strengths, such as job creation, rising wages, and increased public investment. He underscored the paradox of Europe’s position, describing it as both fragile and indispensable, while stressing the need for a robust EU to serve its citizens and the global community.
"We need an ambitious EU and an ambitious European Commission," Gentiloni declared, concluding with a reminder of Europe’s unique achievements: "How lucky are we to be Europeans? Freedom, the rule of law, and the welfare state are extraordinary progress in an uncertain world."
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, followed by closing remarks from STG Director Georgios Papakonstantinou.
The full lecture is also available here.
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The Economic and Monetary Union Laboratory (EMU Lab) is a collaborative initiative driven by the Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa Chair and the Pierre Werner Chair, aiming to reassess the Economic and Monetary Union's structure in light of current European and global economic conditions.