FIR Annual Conference Výroční konference FMV

The Faculty of International Relations, Prague University of Economics and Business, in cooperation with Europeum Institute for European Policy,invites you to FIR Annual Conference 2024, titled 

"The Next 20 Years of the Czech Republic in the EU – an endless story of catching up with Europe?"

Twenty years ago, the Czech Republic, along with other countries mainly from Central and Eastern Europe, joined the European Union. During two decades of membership, the country’s position on the global stage has significantly strengthened, the state of democracy and human rights protection has improved, and the Czech Republic has become an integral part of the West. Economically, the Czech Republic represents a story of converging economic levels and catching up with the wealthy EU countries. Nevertheless, Czech society ranks among the most eurosceptic in Europe, with only about half of the population expressing satisfaction with the country’s EU membership, and some European issues evoke strong emotions. At the same time, on the Union’s side, the large enlargement in 2004 is often mentioned as an opportunity to learn and better prepare for further enlargement, both for the candidates for membership and the EU itself.

Our speakers will cover these thought-provoking questions:

1. What expectations were associated with joining the Union, and to what extent have they been fulfilled?
2. What do different generations of Czechs see as the main benefits and challenges associated with membership?
3. What is the significance of the ongoing enlargement of the EU today, and how can the EU learn from the 2004 enlargement?
4. How do young people view the Czech Republic’s membership in the Union after twenty years and the perspective of continued convergence with the developed European countries?
5. How has the Czech Republic changed during its membership in the Union, and how has it managed to economically catch up with its western neighbors?
6. What is the outlook for the future? How will the Czech Republic continue to economically benefit from EU membership?

The working language of the conference is English and Czech for 15:30 Panel.

We look forward to your participation. Join us for an engaging and insightful experience!

The Conference is organized under the auspices of the Government of the Czech Republic on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s membership in the European Union