Thirty years ago in Maastricht, European heads of state agreed to launch the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Over the years, many policy initiatives were launched to support the Euro and the Eurozone in the face of a financial crisis, a pandemic, concerns regarding climate change, rapid digitilisation and geopolitical tensions. Still, 30 years after the launch of the EMU and 20 years after the introduction of the Euro, many argue that the EMU is far from ideal.
What reforms are needed for the EMU to promote the common good and ensure welfare and well-being for future generations? How do we ensure financial stability within the Eurozone in light of rising inflation and the recent tightening of monetary policy by the ECB? We warmly welcome you to Maastricht, to discuss these current developments in the Eurozone.
On 27 September 2022, we invited critical thinkers, policymakers, researchers, journalists and citizens at the Gouvernement aan de Maas for the symposium Euro at 20: shifting paradigms?
On 28 and 29 September 2022, researchers from all over the world gathered in Maastricht for the interdisciplinary academic conference The 30th Anniversay of the Maastricht Treaty – The past, present and future of European integration.
Euro at 20: shifting paradigms?
27 September 2022
On 27 September, we took stock and reflected upon the systemic changes and policy initiatives after the launch of the European Monetary Union in 1992. Are there lessons to be learnt to ensure the EMU is consistent with the values enshrined within the Maastricht Treaty; that the EMU promotes the common good and ensures welfare and well-being for future generations? Watch back the videos of our great line-up of speakers discussing the latest developments in the Eurozone.
Academic conference on 30 years Maastricht Treaty: past, present, future
28 and 29 September 2022
Maastricht University and Studio Europa Maastricht hosted an interdisciplinary academic conference commemorating a paramount milestone of European collaboration – the Maastricht Treaty.
The conference was held 28-29 September 2022 and facilitated critical, but constructive, academic dialogue on the Maastricht Treaty’s legacy, covering the following areas:
- Decision-making and legal considerations
- Re-examining convergence and homogeneity
- Solidarity and identity
- Peace, security and criminology
- Social and trade affaires
- Democracy, populism and authoritarianism
- Democratisation, politicisation and citizenship
- Union of digital innovation and the digital Euro
- Wages, prices and European enterprises
- Fiscal sovereignty challenges and recent developments
Additionally, the conference was proud to host Professor Thomas Piketty and Professor Paul De Grauwe as keynote speakers.
Keynotes
27, 28 and 29 September 2022
- Tuesday 27 September (10:00 – 11:00)
Joachim Bitterlich, former foreign and security policy advisor to Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl - Wednesday 28 September (17:00 – 18:00)
Thomas Piketty, French economist and professor at HESS and Paris School of Economics - Thursday 29 September (12:00 – 13:00)
Paul de Grauwe, Belgian economist and John Paulson Professor in European Political Economy at the London School of Economics and Political Science as head of the European Institute.
Our recommendations
In addition to these events, we encourage you to take a deep-dive into our reading, watching and listening materials on European economic integration, listed in the overview.
Interview with Robert Skidelsky
Reading tip
In an expert interview, we asked Robert Skidelsky, Professor Emeritus of Political Economy at Warwick University, about his perspective on the European Monetary Union. What are the missed opportunities and problems? How does a monetary union work without a centralised policy and common treasury? Should we take an example from Hungary in terms of economic policy? For the answers to these questions, read the interview!
European Review of Books on the work of Thomas Piketty
Reading tip
“(Piketty’s) columns focused not on the dangers of right-wing demagoguery or authoritarianism, but on the European Union’s imposition of austerity, the abandonment of the working class by center-left parties, the disproportionate share of funding for higher education absorbed by elite universities, and the lack of transparency and accountability in international organizations like the IMF and the European Central Bank.”
– Noam Maggor in The European Review of Books on the work of Thomas Piketty
Thomas Piketty is one of the keynote speakers at the academic conference on 30 years Maastricht Treaty. In celebration of this, our friends at The European Review of Books are letting you read their article on the philosophy and ideology of Piketty for free. Perfect for anyone who wants a crash course on Piketty’s theories on equality, economic growth and its downfalls, and capitalism and socialism in the 20th and 21st century, in preparation of his keynote lecture on 28 September.
Sketch of Europe on 20 years euro
Viewing tip
The video series Sketch of Europe takes the dialogue about Europe to the public space. A thought-provoking cartoon by famous Limburg artist Joep Bertrams, exhibited in the street, is the starting point for discussions on a central theme in the events and projects by Studio Europa Maastricht. The summer episode revolves around the theme of Euro at 20.
Cafe Europa on the corona recovery fund
Listening tip
A special Café Europa episode about the corona recovery fund. From the design stage to approval of the Polish plans. And the question of how much that fund can help with the new crisis: the war in Ukraine. Podcast hosts Annette and Mathieu discuss it with Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Budget at the European Commission. And Annette and Mathieu call regular guest Han Dirk Hekking, Europe reporter for the FD, about the discussion to make Ukraine a candidate for EU.
— disclaimer — the podcast Café Europa is only available in Dutch
The Sound of Economics Podcast
Listening tip
In this special episode, Bruegel director Maria Demertzis talks with professor Mathieu Segers and professor Amy Verdun about the emergence of EMU in 1992, the financial crisis in 2008 and COVID and the future of European economic integration. The podcast series The Sound of Economics is produced by Bruegel.
