Finnish EU Presidency seminar looks at European challenges and heritage
Press release 314/2006
24 August, 2006
On 7 September the Foundation Institutum Romanum Finlandiae organises an international seminar at Villa Lante on the theme of European history and its effects on present-day decisions Under the title "Europe 2050 – Challenges of the Future, Heritage of the Past" the seminar seeks to create an overview of the historical roots and present perceptions of the concept of Europe. This broad picture will form the basis for discussion of future challenges and assets of the European Union. The speakers include distinguished historians from Finland and several other countries, philosophers and social scientists. In addition to the papers they present, the seminar also features commentary by other eminent international experts. Among the contributors are the acclaimed Czech historian on nationalism, Professor Miroslav Hroch, and Professor Giuseppe Burgio, the noted Italian researcher of EU affairs. Among the Finnish contributors are Professor Juha Sihvola, Professor Raimo Väyrynen, Dr Teija Tiilikainen and Professor Markku Wilenius.
The seminar audience consists of prominent journalists from member countries of the European Union, applicant countries and other European countries, invited by the Foundation and the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. It is the aim of the seminar to see the future, but also to be seen in the present, during Finland’s EU presidency in 2006. Thus, the seminar has official status within the overall schema of the presidency. The seminar will be opened by Mr Paavo Lipponen, Speaker of the Parliament of Finland, who has kindly agreed to serve as patron of the event.
The seminar at Villa Lante is a product of collaboration involving Institutum Romanum Finlandiae, the Department for Communication and Culture of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Edita Publishing Ltd. The objective is to provide the audience and the public at large with the latest research findings and to promote the role of the humanities in current decision-making. To this end, in December 2006, Edita Publishing Ltd will publish a book based on the presentations made in the seminar.
The Foundation Institutum Romanum Finlandiae was formed in 1938 in order to establish a seat of learning for Finnish scholars in an acknowledged cradle of western civilisation, namely Rome. Since 1954 the foundation has maintained the Finnish Institute in a splendid Renaissance palazzo known as Villa Lante on the slopes of the Janiculum Hill. In its research the institute emphasises the humanities, particularly history, classical studies and archaeology. Often referred to simply as Villa Lante, the institute is today Finland's most prestigious scientific and cultural centre abroad. It has become a concept that crystallises Finnish expertise in the study of the humanities both in Finland and abroad.
Further information: Docent Tuomas Heikkilä, PhD, Secretary General, Foundation Institutum Romanum Finlandiae, E-mail: [email protected], tel. +358 50 360 2100, and the Finnish Institute in Rome, Villa Lante, Passeggiata del Gianicolo 10, http://www.irfrome.org(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window), tel. +39 06 686 1995