The next edition of The State of the Union will take place in Florence on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 May 2021. The forthcoming edition will mark the 10th anniversary of the European University Institute’s flagship conference which over the past decade has firmly established itself as a key forum for discussion and debate on the most pertinent issues facing Europe and Europeans.

We will celebrate this historic occasion with a dynamic hybrid event which will bring together world leaders, diplomats, policy makers, academics, and civil society representatives to debate and reflect on the theme ‘Europe in a Changing World’ before a global audience.

The conference will address the challenges and opportunities for Europe amidst rising concerns over global commons and the climate emergency, a shifting economic and geopolitical power balance, major challenges to multilateralism, and the ongoing global battle against COVID-19.

Confirmed high-level speakers include Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, European Commission, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization,  Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, European Commission and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

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Join the debate at #SOU2021