Karlspreis Europa Summit 2019 | © Staatskanzlei NRW

Karlspreis Europa Summit

Europe is constantly facing major challenges that require cross-border solutions. At the moment, it is possible to observe that the varying perspectives to address crucial issues of the European Union within the sovereign member states are rarely connected by a consensus. Concerning the common progress within Europe and the link between the priorities of the public, the European institutions and the individual state governments, it is important for us to create a platform that can develop a common agenda and discuss discrepancies.

Annually organised in cooperation with the government of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the summit aims to present a possibility for an open and mutual debate, connecting scientific approaches and political developments, discussing innovative ventures and pushing European progress. Comprising the opportunity to grow within the next years, this Summit will draw upon the long tradition of the Charlemagne Prize in generating exchange and understanding with regard to correlations and decisions in the European context.

Timothy Garton Ash, Charlemagne Prize Laureate 2017 | © Helmut Rüland

Connecting Ideas

The European Charlemagne Prize Summit aims to provide a forum for vital and lively debates between decision-makers from the realms of politics, science, economics, media and society and the grant holders of the European Charlemagne Prize Fellowship. The explicitly international orientation and composition of the fellows and associates, and the encounter between young and old, is supposed to provide stimulating perspectives and ideas. Further, it is an attempt to promote knowledge exchange and transfer on a European level, taking up transnational aspects of technology development, security, social disparities, sustainability or general political trends.

To draw upon the public interest, research and discussion outcomes will be made available in course of the Charlemagne Prize Summit. Open events are planned.

Benefiting from experience

The European Charlemagne Prize Summit takes place each year in autumn, i.e. at the midpoint between the annual award ceremonies of the International Charlemagne Prize. As the highlight of each research year, the Summit will provide a platform to discuss the Charlemagne Prize Fellows' research outcomes in the context of political practice and public interest.

Panel Discussion with Juan Pablo García-Berdoy, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union at the Kick-Off Summit 2019 I © Andreas Herrmann

By connecting various professional and cultural perspectives, the format is planned to present a pleasant contrast to summits and meetings alike.  While on the one hand this event can be build upon the experience regarding the organisation of a comprehensive programme as part of the Charlemagne Prize itself, it comprises various impacts through partners and supporters on the other hand. In addition to the events in the context of the Charlemagne Prize Award Ceremony, this summit is supposed to increase dialogue on European issues in between theoretical approaches and immediate social relevance. The first Charlemagne Prize Academy Summit took place Thursday, 14 November 2019.  The summit marks the official start and end date of the research year.