International Conference
The Future of Europe in Zagreb
Although the accession of Croatia to the European Union is a political act with numerous consequences, there was no serious discussion about accession either before the referendum nor afterwards. But it is not news that the European Union is facing its biggest crisis since it was created. It is at the same time an economic, financial, social and ideological crisis of the project. Across the continent, instead of solidarity we are witnessing the dictatorship of the financial sector, new austerity measures and the rise of the extreme right. Within the last few months, new austerity measures and structural adjustments, changes to labor laws and privatizations have been the cause of mass protests on the streets of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Romania and Hungary. The European Union’s internal turmoil as well as the economic, financial, social and ideological crisis of the European project are the main topics of this year’s Subversive Forum.
Through a critical examination of Europe’s current crisis, the Subversive Forum will try to outline realistic possibilities for its transformation and the creation of another political, social and economic project across the Old Continent. The international conference of the Forum, "The Future of Europe" will be held from May 13th to May 19th in the Cinema Europe (Kino Europa). In addition to regular guests such as Slavoj Zizek, Tariq Ali, Gianni Vattimo, Gayatri Spivak, and Samir Amin, leading intellectuals of our time such as Stéphane Hesse, Michael Hardt, Saskia Sassen, Renate Salecl, Christian Marazzi, Bernard Cassen, Costas Douzinas, Eric Toussaint and others have confirmed their participation. Every evening from 19.00 until 21.00, and again from 21.00 until 23.00 they will present keynote lectures and participate in round-table discussions on the possible futures of Europe.
Although the recent European protests have not managed to reverse the balance of power and stop the neoliberal turn that rapidly destroys the legacy of the welfare state and radically changes the European project, the main objective of the Subversive Forum is to create a common space for a united struggle that will involve all social forces, from ordinary citizens, activists, unions and scholars to political representatives.
