One year after the end of the French Citizens' Convention for the Climate (CCC), at a time when the COP 26 meets in Glasgow, what analysis can be made of this event? Are citizens' assemblies a legitimate and efficient way of facing the climate crises? What was and what could be the role of randomly selected bodies in politics? What was the specificity of the French CCC compared with the English or the Scottish Citizens' assemblies for the climate, or with the Irish citizens' assemblies?

Fascism is once again being talked about as a current threat in Europe. How justified is it to use the term analytically to describe what are otherwise called far right, radical right or nationalist populist parties, movements or governments? Should it not be reserved for the era of Hitler and Mussolini? How significant are continuities from historical fascism through neofascism to some of today's political parties? What do we gain and what we lose by using the F-word?

This seminar is organised jointly with the Institute for International Economic Policy at George Washington University and the UNDP Human Development Report Office. This seminar will be held online.

Abstract:

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This talk will reflect on Dr Berenskötter attempts to form and advance a new (reading of a) concept in the field of International Relations, namely that of ‘friendship’. He will outline his motivations to engage on this journey and discuss the approach he developed, or came to adopt, where and how he found support for this undertaking, as well as the challenges and rewards as he experienced them.

Leadership is widely regarded as a critical factor for the European Union’s ability to act cohesively and effectively as global actor. The siren call for leadership is most often heard when Europe is facing one of its perennial crises, but which actor has the ability to shoulder this responsibility and how? Half a century after Henry Kissinger quipped, ‘who do I call, when I want to call Europe?’, there still seems to be no authoritative person or institution who can speak on behalf of Europe. In this talk, I discuss why European leadership is contested in EU foreign policy.