Security and Defense Workshop in the European Parliament “How to forge a peace and rights-based EU answer to security threats”

Delàs Centre of Studies for Peace and the European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT) organize the Security and Defense Workshop in the European Parliament “How to forge a peace and rights-based EU answer to security threats” the 3rd December in the European Parliament.

This workshop will present the conclusions of three recent reports of the Delàs Centre of Studies for Peace, addressing in particular EU funding for the defence sector, external borders control and European arms exports; altogether these reports showcase the current trends of EU defence and security policies.

The reports’ outcomes and other experts’ contributions will be the basis for a discussion between civil society and political representatives on how to influence the current EU defence, security and migration policies and what an alternative peace and rights-based approach could be.

When: 3rd December 2019 from 9h to 13h

Where: Room PHS 1C51, European Parliament, Brussels

Organised by: Delàs Centre of Studies for Peace and the European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT)

With the support of: Agència Catalana de Cooperació al Desenvolupament (ACCD), Diputació de Barcelona and Ajuntament de Barcelona

Hosted by: GUE/NGL

Limited seats, REGISTRATIONS: https://forms.gle/1sN8DPs7ZYMu7kSMA

Programme:

09:00 – Welcoming and introduction: host MEP Miguel Urban (Podemos, GUE/NGL) and Centre Delàs.

09:10 to 10:15 – Session 1: EU arms exports and their impact on conflicts.
09:10 Why the EU Common Position cannot prevent problematic arms exports? Hannah Neumann, Die Grüne, Greens/EFA.
09:25 Impact of EU arms transfers to countries in conflict, Centre Delàs Report. Jordi Calvo, Researcher, Centre Delàs; IPB vice-president and coordinator of the Global Campaign On Military Spending (GCOMS).
09:45 Debate: Can EU arms exports be ethical?
(moderation by MEP Özlem Demirel, Die Linke, GUE/NGL)

10:15 to 11:20 – Session 2: Migration policies and militarisation of EU borders management
10:15 External border control systems and risks of human rights infringements. Ainhoa Ruiz, Researcher, Centre Delàs
10:35 EU migration policies in the next EU Multi-Financial Framework
Catherine Woollard, Director, European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
10:50 Debate: How to advance a rights-based EU migration policy?
(moderation by MEP Miguel Urban)

11:20 Coffee break

11:45 to 12:50 – Session 3: Is the EU still a peace-led project?
11:45 European Defence Fund and increasing military spending
Laëtitia Sédou, EU Programme officer, ENAAT
& Quique Sánchez, Officer, Centre Delàs & GCOMS
12:05 EU added-value for non-violent alternatives
Clémence Buchet-Couzy, Peace Programme assistant, Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)
12:20 Debate: How could the EU make a real difference for peace?
(moderation by MEP tbc)
12:50 – Closing remarks by host MEP Miguel Urban