Co-hosted by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), and Carleton University’s Centre for European Studies.

When: Thursday, April 21, 2016, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Followed by a networking reception hosted by CIGI, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where: International Development Research Centre, W. David Hopper Room B-C,
8th floor, 150 Kent Street, Ottawa, ON

Welcome remarks: Jean Lebel, IDRC

Introduction: Domenico Lombardi, Director of CIGI’s Global Economy Program

Speaker: Benedetto Della Vedova, Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Summation: Prof. Achim Hurrelmann, EURUS and Centre for European Studies, Carleton University

Seating is free but limited so please register for the event.

The future of the European Union (EU) is at stake as its member states face critical challenges, such as a fragile economic recovery, growing conflicts beyond its borders and the inflow of migrants fleeing conflict and economic hardship.

Further threatening the EU is weakening public support for the Union, the possibility of a British exit (“Brexit”) via referendum and rising nationalist and populist movements in many member states.

Join us as Benedetto Della Vedova, Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, makes the case for a united Europe, one that will be better able to provide security for its citizens, deliver growth and prosperity and address current and future critical challenges than a fragmented Europe.

Mr Della Vedova will share the perspective of the Italian government, which is seeking to strengthen the EU through an ambitious innovation-focused policy agenda focused on economic and job growth.

Mr Della Vedova is an elected member of Italy’s Senate and previously served as an MP in the Italian Chamber of Deputies. He was a member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004, where he sat on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Mr Della Vedova has also been a prominent commentator on political and economic affairs, contributing to Italy’s major economic national newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore, and to the Corriere della Sera, among other magazines and radio programs.

French and English simultaneous interpretation will be available.

This event will be videotaped and available on our YouTube channel.

Go to idrc.ca for more information.