Why Next Europe?

Next Europe is a challenge.
It is an attempt to promote a wider debate on European issues. Not just focusing on the political and institutional aspects of Europe, but with a broader vision, which includes any cultural aspect.

In the last twenty years, the public debate about Europe has been characterised by an attention to the institutional aspects of the enlarged Union (the constitutional debate). While in many countries the disaffection and disinterest towards the Union was growing, the political parties, the newspapers, the public opinion was just focused in discussing how the Union should be organised. This attitude led to an even increased disaffection and disinterest towards Europe.

We think that it is necessary to start this discussion from the beginning, never taking for granted the good reasons that led to form the European Union  sixty years ago, but also aware that we need to engage constantly with the problems that Europe is facing now.

Most of the time disaffection towards Europe is a prejudice, a negative attitude fed by ignorance and fear. But in order to fight these enemies, we cannot simply underline the importance of the European institutions and the vital role that they play in our life, nor just present Europe as a way to better serve our interests.
Institutions and intersest are worthless, without a constant attention to the ideas that support them.

We are aware that it would be nearly impossible to reverse this trend with our small forces alone, but at the same time we consider that it is our duty to try and to start making our part.

Next Europe is a collective initiative, open to anyone who shares our vision and who wants to be part of our effort. It doesn’t matter if you are an academic with a vaste background in European studies, or a student just trying to undestand the basic of the EU; if you are a businessman with huge links in other European countries, or just a person interested in travelling the continent: as long as you have fresh ideas and a dynamic approach, we will be happy to have you on board. We want our articles judged for the ideas that they really bring to the debate.

If you are interested in contributing for our webzine, just writing a single piece or joining the Editorial Staff for longer period, please see this page.