Citizens' dialogue with Yuriko Backes and Paolo Gentiloni

With the aim of shaping a stronger Europe in an increasingly globalised world, and thereby protecting its values and identity, the European Commission has worked hard to build an “economy at the service of people” that is more ambitious in terms of prosperity, justice and
equity.

These premises have yet a particular resonance owing to unprecedented societal and transnational challenges that we are currently facing, characterised both by economic recovery efforts in the European Union before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (InvestEU, NGEU) and upheavals in international relations brought about by the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. To deal with these multiple issues, Europe must not only empower Member States, regions and local communities, but above all, encourage participation and commitment of citizens, especially younger generations, to be part of the solution. Hence dialogue, debate and constructive exchanges are more vital than ever.

As part of their mission to share values and knowledge and encourage openness to new horizons, the University of Luxembourg, Europe Direct at the University of Luxembourg and the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg, would like to invite you to debate with Mrs. Yuriko Backes, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg and Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy

Programme

16:30 – Opening remarks

• Prof. Stéphane Pallage, Rector of the University of Luxembourg
• Mrs. Anne Calteux, Head of Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg

16:40 – 1st session: ‘’Living in ‘the global polycrisis’: what are the current economic challenges
and the EU’s policy response?”
Questions and answers

• Mrs. Yuriko Backes, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg and Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy
• Moderation: Dr Elena Danescu, University of Luxembourg

17:10 – 2nd session: “What is the EU’s role in addressing long-term investment priorities?”

Questions and answers

• Mrs. Yuriko Backes, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg and Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy
• Moderation: Mrs. Anne Calteux, Head of Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg

17:40 – Closing remarks

17:45 – End of the event
Free time to talk with the European Commission's InvestEU team.

The event will be conducted in French and in English.
The event will be streamed live on the YouTube channel of the University of Luxembourg; it will be
digitally recorded by the Media Centre of the University.

About the speakers

Mrs. Yuriko Backes graduated from the College of Europe in Bruges. She began her professional career in 1994 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has held various positions, including at the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the United Nations in New York, the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the Western European Union in Brussels, and the Luxembourg Embassy in Japan. In January 2022, Yuriko Backes joined the coalition government between the Democratic Party (DP), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) and the Green Party (déi gréng) as Minister of Finance.

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Mr. Paolo Gentiloni graduated in Political Sciences (La Sapienza, Rome). He then became a professional journalist. From 2006 to 2008, he was Minister of Communications. From 2014 to 2016, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In 2016, he became Prime Minister of Italy. Since 2019, M. Paolo Gentiloni is European Commissioner for Economy. 

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