Europe 2050 looks into the past and the future - New analysis of Europe published today

Press release 491/2006
27 November, 2006

How is Europe faring  today – and how will it cope with the challenges of the future? Where are its geographical boundaries and historical roots? What constitutes a European set of values What, essentially, is Europe?

"Europe 2050 – Challenges of the Future, Heritage of the Past" presents an overview of the historical roots and present perceptions of the concept of Europe. After this broad picture has been established, the assets of the European Union and the current and future challenges facing it are discussed.

The book is a compilation of articles by distinguished European scholars of  history and European affairs. It offers the reader the latest research findings and emphasizes the role and relevance of the humanities in current decision-making. The foreword is written by Paavo Lipponen, former Prime Minister of Finland.

The articles are the progeny of a Finnish EU Presidency side-event colloquium held in September 2006 at the Finnish Institute in Rome where the participants included the aforementioned scholars plus journalists from all over Europe.

Located in a splendid Renaissance palazzo known as Villa Lante, the institute in Rome is today a prestigious scientific and cultural centre. It has become an icon that exemplifies Finnish distinction in the study of the humanities.

The book is published by Edita Publishing Ltd in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communication and Culture.

Further information: Director of publishing Mr. Juha Parikka, tel. +358 9 1605 5843, [email protected], and Publications officer Ms.Anja Malischevskij, tel. +358 9 1605 5907,  [email protected].

Europe 2050

Challenges of the Future, Heritage of the Past
Tuomas Heikkilä, editor.
ISBN 951-37-4769-7

Contents
Foreword by Paavo Lipponen

Raimo Väyrynen and Giuseppe Burgio
Introduction

MESSAGES FROM ANTIQUITY
Juha Sihvola
ARISTOTLE, THE STOICS, AND EUROPEAN CONCEPTIONS OF HUMANITY

THE MIDDLE AGES AND THE BIRTH OF EUROPE 
Tuomas Heikkilä
EUROPE TAKES SHAPE

EUROPE FROM THE 17TH TO THE 20TH CENTURY 64
Miroslaw Hroch
A EUROPE OF NATIONS

PRESENT DAY CHALLENGES
Giuseppe Burgio
MAIN  CHALLENGES FACING THE EUROPEAN UNION

EUROPE 2050: THE NEW BORDERS?
Raimo Väyrynen
OLD AND NEW BORDERS IN EUROPE

Markku Wilenius
A FUTURE VISION – A EUROPEAN DREAM?