European Policy and European Integration
We need to imagine and plan a united Europe as if it were possible to create one immediately every day, and thus overcome the inertia of eternal laggards. “If what is possible really is possible, we can even tackle it today.
At a glance
- The European Union is under strong pressure due to global climate change, increasing systemic confrontation, the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, domestic policy crises as well as the rise of Eurosceptic parties.
- Recent crises have, however, shown that European solutions lead to a stronger Union than national solo efforts. Only common approaches promote the competitiveness and prosperity of all European states.
- As a European foundation, we are committed to a strong, democratic, effective, citizen-oriented and sustainable Europe, that speaks to the world with one voice.
- To this end, we network relevant stakeholders, develop recommendations for action and, via our European Office in Brussels, we influence the development of the integration process and EU policy.
Content
1. Challenges facing the European Union
2. Creating a more resilient, future-proof and effective Europe
3. Our offers and projects on the topic
4. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic
Europe has undergone many crises in recent years. This has not only led to Europe, and hence Germany, having to face new challenges; rather, various fault lines have become visible that permeate Europe politically. Awareness of the problem has increased within the European Union (EU), but this does not go hand in hand with a strengthened community: Fundamental values and principles, on which the Union is built, are being called into question. What is more, those sceptical of the Union at the political fringes are making their voices heard in some member states.
Challenges facing the European Union: War, climate change, system competition
The European Union is confronted with multiple challenges in the context of geopolitical developments: From the impact of climate change, the ongoing Corona crisis, Russia’s war of aggression against the Ukraine to new threat scenarios, including from China, and an intensified great power competition, right through to electoral successes of Eurosceptic and anti-European parties.
The southern member states in particular are characterised by economic weakness, enormous state debt and the repercussions of the Corona crisis. Brexit will readjust the relationship with the United Kingdom – many questions have not yet been fully resolved. Enlargement policy has been put to the test. The European Neighbourhood Policy faces new challenges both in the East and in the South.
With the EU Green Deal as a growth and future strategy for the transition to a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, Europe is to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Trust in European institutions is on the rise, despite or perhaps especially in light of a new geopolitical order. At the same time, this is accompanied by growing expectations towards the EU, which are not always based on a realistic foundation. Nevertheless, in light of these crises, the EU is proving its ability to act and its power of attraction.
Precisely the numerous crises of the recent past have shown that joint European solutions lead to a stronger Union than national approaches alone. In many policy areas, the individual member states are so closely interrelated and interconnected that only a common approach can promote the competitiveness and prosperity of all European states as a whole. That is why the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is committed to European exchange via numerous policy fields and at different levels.
Creating a more resilient, future-proof and effective Europe: We are making our contribution to this
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is tackling these challenges – based on its three core themes: Innovation, security as well as representation and participation. Analyses and publications, expert discussions, networking of stakeholders, conferences and information events aim to discuss causes, explore potential and demonstrate concrete recommendations for action. There are three central considerations underlying this:
Europe needs to increase the confidence of its citizens, since the European integration process can only be successful with their support. The European institutions need to therefore act in a way that is more democratic, transparent, and citizen-oriented.
The transfer of competences is the basis of the discussion, both at national level – provided it is reasonable with a view to the principle of subsidiarity – and in the context of harmonisation at European level.
Ultimately, Europe will only be able to continue to exert influence in a globalised world if it speaks with one voice on the international stage. The European economic, foreign, security, defence, climate, energy and development policies must therefore be strategically rethought and, where necessary, enriched with new instruments.
Through dialogue and by working across national borders, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung advocates a more resilient and forward-looking Europe with greater capacity to act. After all, the EU has long since become a community of values and destiny that represents great added value for all peoples of Europe.
Our offers and projects on the topic
International offices and programmes
The commitment to democracy, rule of law, freedom and social market economy can only be sustainable if it is approached internationally. That is why the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung maintains numerous offices in different countries of operation in Europe.
Country Offices and Regional Programmes
With more than 30 offices in European states, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung pursues three main goals:
- improving political framework conditions in the countries of operation and resolving problems in line with the foundation’s goals and values;
- promoting the transfer of knowledge between Germany and the countries of operation;
- creating public forums for the representation of German political and economic interests.
You can find an overview with all offices on our worldwide map
European Offices
Particularly noteworthy in our European work abroad are our two European offices.
The European Office Brussels has been supporting the European Union’s development since 1978. What is more, it supervises projects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The goal is to positively influence the European integration process in the spirit of Konrad Adenauer, with EU policy being particularly important for us in this regard. The European Office sees itself as a forum for Christian Democratic interests. It primarily aims to heighten understanding of basic motives behind the unification process.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Multinational Development Policy Dialogue in Brussels shapes development policy dialogue with the European Union and NATO. In doing so, it contributes the experience and expertise of KAS’ global project work as well as the interests of German development policy to the consultation process of the European Union.
Event series
European policy and European integration are important topics on which the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung offers many different events. Particular emphasis should be placed on our annual conferences on security policy issues in Europe, as well as the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe.
Adenauer Conference
In the framework of the Adenauer Conference, high-ranking experts from politics, science, think tanks, the military and business discuss current security policy challenges for Germany, Europe, and transatlantic relations.
Speech on Europe
The Speech on Europe is the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe: The President of the Council of the European Union, the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission takes it in turns to present their positions on the idea and state of Europe. The format is a cooperation of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa and the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin.
GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum
The GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum has established itself as a leading event in the area of security and international relations in the Central and Eastern European states. The strategic conference primarily discusses security policy issues and questions surrounding the challenges facing a common European and foreign policy.
Election analyses and polls
Our election analyses on European elections and our current polls on the European People’s Party (EPP) provide an extensive overview of the state of the EPP party family, and discuss the reasons behind voter migration as well as the performance of the German parties in elections to the European Parliament.
EPP Party Barometer
The EPP Party Barometer presents an overview on the current situation of the EPP party family in the EU. Election results and polls from the member states, among other things, are summarised and presented at irregular intervals.
Elections to the European Parliament
Since 1979, the European Parliament has been elected every five years in the Member States of the European Union. The election of members of parliament is free, secret and direct. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung analyses the European elections in its own publications and discusses the reasons for voter migration and the election result in Germany.
Learn more about election analyses of the European elections since 2004.
Learn more about election results of the European elections since 1979.
Scholarship and didactic offers
For doctoral candidates, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung offers the interdisciplinary doctoral programme “Democracies in Europe – Transformations in the Aftermath of 1990”. In our learning laboratory, the Adenauer Campus, teachers and pupils can find teaching material and exercises for the classroom. Our offer is rounded off by various exhibitions and the “Magnet Europe” simulation game, which deals with European migration and integration policy.
Doctoral Programme “Democracies in Europe – Transformations in the Aftermath of 1990”
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V. doctoral programme “Democracies in Europe– Transformations in the Aftermath of 1990” aims to pursue basic questions of historical-political transformation research. Here, it is devoted to the period following the collapse of the Soviet Union and focuses in particular on Eastern and Central European EU countries. It takes account of the fact that the transformations can by no means only be positive, which is also made especially clear to us against the background of current political changes.
The programme is mainly aimed at doctoral candidates in the subjects of contemporary history and political science. Upon admission to the programme, which complies with applicable funding guidelines, students will receive a scholarship from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s doctoral sponsorship programme (1350 euros per month plus 100 euros flat-rate research allowance).
Didactic Teaching Material for the Classroom
In the learning laboratory of our Adenauer Campus, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s digital learning platform, you will find various focal points on the topics of Europe with exciting text articles, extensive infographics and many other interactive features, interesting explanatory videos and in-depth tasks for the classroom. We invite teachers, those interested in politics and pupils alike, in order to take a closer look at our interactive and free didactic offers.
Konrad Adenauer and European Integration (Exhibition)
The “Konrad Adenauer and European Integration” exhibition demonstrates the success of economic integration with the founding of a European Coal and Steel Community and the signing of the Treaties of Rome during Adenauer’s time. Together with other founding fathers, Adenauer's politics laid the cornerstone for the community’s deepening and the subsequent enlargement to become the European Union. This development up to the Treaty of Lisbon is also part of the exhibition, consisting of nine roll-up panels and can be rented for a maximum of 14 days. For schools, it is recommended from grade 9.
Your Vote for Europe! (Exhibition)
The exhibition “Your Vote for Europe! Elections to the European Parliament” explains the history, tasks, functioning and powers of the European Parliament in interaction with the European institutions. In addition to addressing problematic developments such as populism and nationalism in Europe, the exhibition also highlights important achievements of the European Parliament that help ensure peace, prosperity and security in Europe and across the globe. The exhibition contains nine roll-up panels and can be rented for up to 14 days. For schools, it is recommended from grade 9.
Archive collections on the topic of Europe
In addition to collections on Christian Democracy, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Archive for Christian Democratic Politics has extensive archive material on topics with a European connection. The focus is placed on European and international Christian Democratic organisations as well as German and foreign Christian Democratic politicians and officials.
European and International Christian Democratic Organisations
European and Christian Democratic organisations have played an important and eminent role in building a peaceful and united Europe following the end of the Second World War, and are therefore of great interest as a subject of research on post-war history. The archive collections of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Archive for Christian Democratic Politics comprises collections from European associations of Christian Democrats as well as personal papers from leading elected representatives and office-holders of the Union in Germany and Europe. The archival material is available to everyone within the scope of the statutory provisions.
Learn more about European and international Christian Democratic organisations
Christian Democrats and European Integration
Alongside Robert Schumann, Alcide de Gasperi and Josef Beck, Konrad Adenauer was one of the founders of the European unification process. Christian Democrats played a crucial role in the three European Communities, ECSC, EEC and EURATOM, the European Union and its institutions as well as other European institutions.
Our overview contains an important collection of data on German and foreign Christian Democratic politicians who have decisively shaped the European unification process. The information includes links to biographies and biographical accounts in the odis.de database. You will also find references to personal collections of the Archive for Christian Democratic Politics.
Learn more about Christian Democrats and European integration
Publications to the topic
IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
Georgian own goal
The law on agents greets us every year: A controversial project is to be passed in the Georgian parliament at the second attempt
Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari
EPP-Party Barometer April 2024
The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU
Adobe Stock / GMZ
My First European Election
A Representative Survey about Political Attitudes on Europe among First-Time-Voters
IMAGO / Herrmann Agenturfotografie
Synopsis European election programs
Comparison of selected demands from the European election manifestos of the CDU/CSU, SPD, Alliance 90 / The Greens, FDP, AfD, Left Party and Alliance Sarah Wagenknecht
Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari
EPP-Party Barometer February 2024
The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS
Franco-German tensions and European pressure to act
Ukraine conference in Paris
Bundestag / Marc-Steffen Unger
Debata w Bundestagu o stosunkach polsko-niemieckich
Wniosek Frakcji CDU/CSU w sprawie działań w obszarze stosunków polsko-niemieckich i Trójkąta Weimarskiego
KAS
Are we doing enough? EU sanctions against Russia - a review
Interview with Prof. Dr. Viktor Winkler LL.M (Harvard)
The conference of the Ukrainian Energy Security Dialogue 2023: Resilience and Recovery
Summary
Adobe Stock / akkash
Enthusiastic, Critical, Unimpressed, Weary – the Germans and Europe
How do people in Germany evaluate the EU? Attitudes on Europe in a representative survey
IMAGO / Eastnews
Difficult change: From the PiS state back to the rule of law
Fifty turbulent days for the new coalition
Daniel Braun
The citizens of Kosovo now also have the freedom to travel to the European Union
Kosovo is the last country in the Western Balkans to receive visa liberalization with the EU
IMAGO / Lehtikuva
Finland Relies on Popular Politicians in Times of Crisis
Alexander Stubb in first place after the first round of the presidential elections
Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari
EPP-Party Barometer January 2024
The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU
Belgien übernimmt Ratspräsidentschaft
Belgien bis 30. Juni am Steuer des Europäischen Rates
Academy for Assistants of Members of the Parliament
Study Visit to Berlin
Athens Security Forum
The New Europe Facing the challenges of multiple crises
Ukraina jako państwo kandydujące do członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej
Aspekty polityczne i prawne w świetle agresji Rosji
EPP Party Barometer November 2023
The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU
David Canales / Zuma Press / ContactoPhoto (europa press)
Re-election of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
Fragile minority government will increase polarization
Events on the topic
Apr
22-24
2024
Europa vor den Wahlen!
Die gemeinsame Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik unter Druck
Apr
25
2024
Die Schweiz und Europa
Forum mit dem Schweizer Nationalratspräsidenten Eric Nussbaumer, Andrea Elisabeth Knellwolf, Dr. Andreas Schwab MdEP
Apr
25
2024
All-Stars-Europa-Nacht
Ein Austausch über die Zukunft Europas
Apr
26
2024
Meine erste Wahl: Europa
Was mich an Europa so begeistert?
Event Reports on the topic
Thomas Ehlen / kas.de
Was wir in Europa schaffen können
Bedrohten Demokratien beistehen und unsere Freiheit verteidigen / Eine Bilanz des Frankfurter Gesprächs 11. April 2024
Europa vor der Wahl - Italien verstehen
Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024
Europa heute mit Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering
Europa vor der Wahl - Twistringen
Thomas Ehlen / kas,de
Zwei Jahre (zehn Jahre?) nach dem Beginn von Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine
"Europa bedeutet, füreinander einzustehen“ / Eine Bilanz des Fuldaer Gesprächs 20. Februar 2024
KAS Bremen
Folgt nun die Renaissance des Weimarer Dreiecks?
Deutsche Fragen - ukrainische Antworten
Begegnungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern mit ukrainischen Studentinnen
Erich Westendarp auf Pixabay
Die europäische Stimme der bürgerlichen Mitteparteien
EVP: Die proeuropäische Kraft im Europäischen Parlament
Ein Grund zum Feiern: 10 Jahre Kroatien in der EU
Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, visits the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Talks with Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert on reforms, challenges and the country's European path
Die Zukunft des Westlichen Balkans liegt in der EU
8. Westbalkan-Botschafterkonferenz
KAS / Tina Flemming
XI. „Adenauer-Konferenz“: Germany's role in international security policy
German security policy - between obligations and capabilities
Norman Carmele
Fragen an Europa - Meinungen zu Europa
Europatage in Gummersbach (5. Mai) und Bonn (6. Mai)
KAS
"Stability-Union or Debt-Union?"
A directional decision for Europe
kas.de
Ratspräsidentschaft, NATO-Beitritt, Seltene Erden, Weltraumbf: Schweden im Zentrum d. Aufmerksamkeit
Eine Bilanz des 40. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 28.03.2023
KAS / Marco Urban
„Unsere Zukunft steht in der Ukraine auf dem Spiel“
Navigieren in stürmischen Zeiten – deutsche Sicherheitspolitik 2023
kas.de
Kosovo 15 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung – Entwicklung, Konflikt, Herausforderung
Eine Bilanz des 39. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 22.02.23.
Michel Salzer
Wie steht es um die deutsch-französische Freundschaft? – Veranstaltungsbericht und Aufzeichnung
Bilanz und Ausblick anlässlich des 60-jährigen Jubiläums des Élysée-Vertrages
Ingo Espenschied
Was Adenauer und de Gaulle den Schülerinnen und Schülern im Jahr 2023 noch zu sagen haben?
Schulveranstaltungen zum Élysée-Vertrag über die deutsch-französische Zusammenarbeit
kas.de
„Diamantene Hochzeit“:
Wie steht es um die Beziehung von Marianne und Michel 60 Jahre nach dem Élysée-Vertrag? – Eine Bilanz des 38. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live am 18.01.2023
Media library
Flickr/ Dean K.
3 Fragen an Kristijan Tušek, Marina Vulović, Dr. Christoph Ploß MdB
Am 23. März 2023 diskutierten wir mit über 70 Teilnehmenden über den Beitritt Kroatiens zum Schengen-Raum. Kroatien besitze hierbei eine Vorbildfunktion für die Westbalkan-Staaten.
read now
Mit seinem Krieg erreicht Putin, was er eigentlich verhindern will
Russlands Angriffskrieg lässt Europa zusammenrücken: Polen heißt Flüchtlinge willkommen, die Balten wollen die Ukraine in der EU haben und Finnland liebäugelt mit der Nato.
read now
Juliane Liebers
Recordings of the European Data Summit 2021
Wide range of topics: From data use by government agencies to the "blind spots" of the GDPR - The playlist of all videos for the European Data Summit 2021 can be found here.
read now
Juliane Liebers