European Public Sphere

Cologne connects Europe - cancelled
2020-05-12 | Bahnhofsvorplatz Köln Hbf, Bahnhofsvorplatz Köln Hbf, Köln, Germany
Due to the Corona-crisis, this event cannot take place as planned. Instead, we would like to invite you to our first online Public Sphere ever on 11 May. You can find more info and the registration link here.
On 12 May the time has come: the European Public Sphere season starts!
6 partner organisations from Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland and Belgium will visit Democracy International in Cologne through our the Connect Europe project. Together we want to explore what our future in Europe should look like.
What is Connect Europe?
In 2020 the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights will celebrate its 20th anniversary. In order to make it more present and relevant, each partner organisation takes on one of the 6 chapters and organises an event on the topic in its home country. The focus is an open discussion with citizens about the six fundamental rights of the Charter: Dignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens’ Rights, Justice.
Democracy International invites you to exchange views on the fundamental right “citizens’ rights” on the forecourt of Cologne Central Station!
Additionally, the evening before the Dome Talks a free and open panel discussion with representatives from civil society, the city of Cologne and the European Parliament (tbc) will take place.
Further information will follow soon. You can find out more about Connect Europe here: https://www.eurights.org
We are looking forward to seeing you!

First virtual Public Sphere!
2020-05-11 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Berlin) | First virtual Public Sphere!
The time has come for our first European Public Sphere in times of Corona! On 11 May, we’re coming together in the digital space. Join in and discuss with people from all over Europe in what might become perhaps our most international round table! The topic: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and our citizens’ rights guaranteed therein.
This year, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which brings together personal, civic, political, economic and social rights, turns 20 years old. In a single text, these rights are enjoyed by every citizen in the EU. Citizens’ rights receives its own chapter as the fifth in a set of seven chapters.
As part of the Connect Europe project with 7 civil society organisations, we aim to connect citizens to the EU Charter and celebrate its accomplishments across 20 years. Let’s look at the Charter’s successes, as well as practically examine where the Charter could be modernised to fit a 21st century Europe that is battling populism and anti-EU rhetoric, and more timely, a Charter that protects citizens’ rights in times of international crisis. Member of European Parliament Daniel Freund, Marie Jünnemann from Mehr Demokratie, and Helen Darbishire from Access Info Europe will provide some initial input to spark the discussion! As usual, the Dome Talk will be recorded.
Please register here to receive the invitation link: www.democracy.community/forms/registration-online-connect-europe
Looking forward to seeing you at our first virtual European Public Sphere ever!

ACT WOW at Artlake Festival
2020-02-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Bergheider Lake, Bergheider Straße 4, Lichterfeld, 03238, Germany
From 6 to 9 August, the European Public Sphere has a very special stop: We will join the Artlake Festival!
On four days, musicians, artists, creative souls, utopians and activists gather in the former lignite mines at „Bergheider See” to exchange ideas about the essential topics of today and tomorrow, to learn from each other and to celebrate together. The Artlake Festival sees itself as an interdisciplinary platform which promotes creative and conscious participation as well as artistic positions and suggestions for social discourse far away from well-known institutionalized structures. Everyone can join, create, think, discuss and dance. The festival stands for a progressive pop and club culture that takes a stand. It reflects and promotes a diverse society at the interface of music, art and social policy – a space to experiment with new talents, thoughts and approaches.
This year’s motto is ACT WOW! We have to take radical steps to receive a significant transformation of our future. We all have to be role models and act as a collective society. We must become aware of our responsibility, that we must pave the way to a livable world.
So let’s come together under the Europe Dome to develop strategies within the different dimensions, disciplines and formats. Let us make a change in our behavior and discuss how to act now and at the same time act wow!

Summer Closing: Nordstadt's Day on „open society"
2019-10-17 11:00 - 18:00 | Bahnhofsplatz Hildesheim, Bahnhofsplatz, Hildesheim, 31134, Germany
For our probably last event in 2019, the team of the European Public Sphere has come up with something special:
On October 17th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. we will build our dome together with the initiative “Lebendige Plätze” (“Living Squares”) on the station forecourt in Hildesheim. “Together instead of one upon the other” – under this motto we invite you to our open discussions.
It is the first time that the project, which is committed to revitalising squares in the Nordstadt, will be active outside its own district – and all interested parties are cordially invited to join in the discussion!
The following topics will be discussed in three consecutive rounds:
– What makes a place lively?
– Urban district redevelopment in Nordstadt – How can citizens of Nordstadt participate?
– Nordstadt – Backyard or pioneer district of Hildesheim?
A lively district needs living squares. They are important for meeting and talking to each other. You can play there, go shopping or simply sit in the autumn sun. This also applies to the station forecourt – the big challenge and benefit for completely different people is how to get into conversation with each other.
With the Europe Dome we want to test whether the approach of the European Public Sphere also works in Hildesheim in the sense of a long-term partnership – we look forward to exciting discussions – with you on the station forecourt!
The project is financially supported by the state of Lower Saxony.
Questions or suggestions can get into contact with Sabine Howind (Tel.: 604-1297) or Frank Auracher (Tel.: 28 16 311, or via mail at nordstadt.mehr.wert@web.de).
***
The initiative “Living Squares” includes the fibre factory, the meeting and advice centre “Treffer” of the Diakonie Himmelsthür, the Go20 Centre, including the play mobile, the culture factory “Löseke”, the Martin-Luther-Kirchengemeinde, the theatre, the workshop, the Nordstadt district office, the Nordstadt district association, the TPZ Hildesheim and the city’s economic development.

Campfire Festival 2019
2019-08-31 - 2019-09-01 | Platz des Landtags, Düsseldorf, Platz des Landtags, Düsseldorf, 40221, Germany
Germany’s largest democracy festival will again take place in Düsseldorf this year. Of course, we are also joining the Campfire-Festival 2019. Along with us, we bring our dome & a diverse programme for you.
On Saturday the programmatic focus will lay on direct democratic developments worldwide. On Sunday we will take a look at direct democracy in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The entire programme of the Campfire Festival will soon be available here: https://campfirefestival.org/sched/

Dome Talks: The Future of Democracy in Austria
2019-08-23 10:00 - 18:00 | Marktplatz, Innsbruck, Marktplatz, Innsbruck, Österreich
The Initiative for Complementary Democracy presents an answer to the current political development and wants to talk to citizens about the future of democracy in Austria!
In cooperation with the initiative European Public Sphere, they are planning a series of Dome Talks on the topic.
In addition to two rounds of talks, they want to get into conversation with many citizens throughout the day and gather support for their petition.

Dome Talks: The Future of Democracy in Austria
2019-08-17 08:00 - 18:00 | Bruno-Kreisky-Park (U-Bahn Station Margaretengürtel, Wien, Österreich

Dome Talks: The Future of Democracy in Austria
2019-08-14 08:00 - 18:00 | Kirchstraße Lustenau, Kirchstraße, Lustenau, Österreich

Dome Talks: The Future of Democracy in Austria
2019-08-13 08:00 - 18:00 | Wallensteinplatz, Wien, Wallensteinplatz, Wien, 1200, Österreich

Dome Talks: The Future of Democracy in Austria
2019-08-09 12:00 - 21:00 | Mariahilferstraße 75, Wien, Mariahilferstraße 75, Wien, Österreich

Dome Talks: The Future of Democracy in Austria
2019-08-03 08:00 - 18:00 | Michaelerplatz, Wien, Michaelerplatz, Wien, Österreich

camp for [future] 2019
2019-07-26 - 2019-08-04 | Camp for Future, Hambacher Forst, Berrendorfer Straße, Kerpen, 50170, Germany
camp for [future] 2019 – again full of motivation, joy and vehemence against climate change and for a sustainable world. There’s the climate change with spreading deserts and unpredictable storms, but also social problems like the ever louder voices with right-wing ideas, the still prevailing sexism in many areas of societal life and the widening gap between rich and poor.
Be part of the climate movement and join us under the dome!
We will publish the exact times as soon as possible.

Kunigunde asks Bamberg
2019-07-13 11:00 - 17:00 | Gabelmann-Brunnen, Grüner Markt, Bamberg, Germany
Kunigunde asks: “Europe, how to continue?”
Join the discussion on 13 July, on Grüner Markt at the Gabelmann-Well in Bamberg!
Dome-Talks:

11.00- 13.00 h and
15.00 – 17.00 h

Protestant Church Day Dortmund
2019-06-20 10:00 - 2019-06-22 17:00 | Westfalenhalle Dortmund, Rheinlanddamm 200, Dortmund, 44139, Germany
From 20 until 22 of June, the European Public Sphere will be hosted by the Protestant Kirchentag in Dortmund. During these three days, several discussions will take place under our Europe Dome. Every day, citizens, representatives of civil society and politicians will meet between 10:30 and 20:30. They will discuss various topics concerning the future of Europe. This includes the further development of European democracy, transparency and recent issues debated in the European Parliament.
We will publish the detailed schedule and topics of the discussion rounds before the start of the Church Day.
You will find us outside in front of the main entrance to the Westfalenhalle: Rheinlanddamm 200, 44139 Dortmund.
Come with us and discuss the EU together. What are the problems we face? What do we want to change? And what is already working well? What expectations do you have of the newly elected European Parliament and the future of Europe? You can take part in the talks for ten minutes or one hour. Everyone is welcome and every opinion counts!

2 Dome Talks with the "Democratic Voice of the Youth" and others
2019-06-15 10:00 - 18:00 | Stuttgart Marienplatz, Marienplatz, Stuttgart, Germany
On Saturday, June 15th we are in Stuttgart at the demo “Black Cards for the Policies of the Old” organized by the “Democratic Voice of Youth”.
Right at the beginning, from 10-11 am, the first Dome Talk takes place. What does youth actually mean and why does politics often make us look old?
In the afternoon from 15.00-16.30 there will be time for a second discussion under the dome. We are happy to be there and dig deep into our “fountain of youth”!

The Sphere at Tempelhofer Feld
2019-06-14 12:00 - 19:00 | Tempelhofer Feld, Tempelhofer Feld - Oderstraße, Berlin, 12049, Germany
The Europe Dome: Talking about Europe – talking about democracy
Our mobile geodesic dome will be erected on 14 June at Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin (near the main entrance on Oderstraße). Afterwards, everyone is invited to exchange views on future issues for Europe: Which Europe do we want? What does this mean for our city? With the help of the discussions, we will collect the building blocks for a truly social architecture for Europe!
5 years ago, the Tempelhofer Feld became famous when the Berliners decided in a referendum that the huge field of the former Airport should not be built on, but should be available for free use by all. Invited by the “THF.VISION” initiative, which is concerned with the future of the Tempelhof airport building, we are very happy to visit such a symbolic site of a strong citizens’ democracy.

Discussing Jagiellonian Style
2019-06-12 14:00 - 17:00 | Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 3, Kraków, 31-007, Poland
Founded on 12 May 1364 by the Polish king Casimir the Great, the Jagiellonian University is the oldest higher education institution in Poland and one of the oldest in Europe. And it was and still is an international one: Poles, Ruthenians, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Germans, Czechs, the Swiss, the English, the Dutch, the French the Spanish, Italians, and even Tatars have already collected their diplomas there.
This June, the more than 41,000 students from 94 fields of studies get the opportunity to meet the Europe-Dome and vice versa. Come and join us!

Baltic Sea Youth Camp
2019-06-08 - 2019-06-11 | Island of Wyspa Sobieszewska, 80-680 Gdańsk Sobieszewo, Wyspa Sobieszewska, Poland
We are happy to announce our participation in the first Baltic Sea Youth Camp close to the city of Gdansk from 8-11 June 2019!
The Baltic Youth Camp is a three-day festival where youth representatives from the Baltic Sea Region gather to explore friendship, culture and politics through workshops, small seminars and social activities.
The camp has a rich programme for future and current influencers: learn how to influence politics, share your viewpoints on cultural and political topics, meet politicians and stakeholders face to face, join in several interesting workshops on art, technology, human rights, ecology, sustainability and heritage and enjoy excursions, sports and music.
And with its aim of nourishing mutual understanding and solidarity between the 11 Baltic Sea countries and Iceland, it serves as a perfect opportunity for several Dome-Talks.
The exact time and topics will be announced shortly.

Krzyżowa: Where European History is made
2019-06-05 08:00 - 2019-06-06 17:00 | Krzyzowa, Krzyżowa 7, Grodziszcze, 58-112, Poland
A former German village, today part of Poland, meeting place of the anti-Nazi opposition group Kreisau Circle, location of the Polish-German Reconciliation Mass with Prime Minister Mazowiecki and Chancellor Kohl. In many senses, Krzyżowa had come to represent reconciliation among different social groups as well as opposition to totalitarianism. Krzyżowa had become a symbol of the general European reconciliation after the Cold War.
How many more pan-European events such a paramount historical place can host? Let’s find out with 2 Dome Talks on the Krzyżowa Foundation estate with youth groups from Germany and Poland!

2 days at Corso Leopold
2019-05-25 16:30 - 2019-05-26 17:00 | Corso Leopold, Leopoldstraße, München, Germany
The “European Public Sphere” on the Corso. Where cars usually dominate the street scene, we recapture the street for the citizens. Since the year 2000, the event inspires up to 500,000 passers-by each year. Music, painting, theatre, culture, cuisine, handicrafts, talks about the future of Europe…
Come and visit us and speak freely – on the following topics:
Sat, 25/05 – 16:30 “The unfinished EUROPEAN Democracy” – What visions does democracy need in Europe?
Sat, 25/05 – 18:30 Referendum “Save the bees” – Experiences?
Sun, 26/05 – 11:00 Brexit – What are referendums good for?
Sun, 26/05 – 13:00 “The unfinished EUROPEAN Democracy” – What visions does democracy need in Europe?
Sun, 26/05 – 15:00 The year 2030 – What should become of the EU?
Sun, 26/05 – 17:00 Solidarity across Europe – what, what for and to what extent?

Luxembourg - Place Clairfontaine
2019-05-19 12:00 - 17:00 | Luxembourg – Place Clairfontaine, Place Clairfontaine, Luxembourg, 1536, Luxembourg
Just ahead of the European elections, we will reach our last stop: the place Clairfontaine in Luxembourg City. The European Parliament, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank, they all have at least parts of their headquarters in Luxembourg’s capital. And with their slogans – “The voice of the people”, “The rule of law”, “Responsible use of taxpayers’ money” and “Investing in the future” – they offer more than enough food for thought for a debate under the Europe Dome.
Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? In Luxembourg, we discuss the mottos of the different institutions of the EU and what it means to be a small country in the big whole of the EU. Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00 Climate change and democracy: To what extent does the EU operate according to its own mottos?
15:00-16:30 What does it mean to be a small country in the big EU?
Feel free to join at any time!

Schengen
2019-05-18 12:00 - 17:00 | Schengen, Rue Robert Goebbels 6, Schengen, Luxembourg
Schengen…The birthplace of the Schengen Agreement and the name of the borderless European area. But this is not the only reason why this city has become synonymous with Europe. Situated in the southeast of Luxembourg, Schengen lies directly on the tri-border point between Germany (Saarland), France (Lothringen) and Luxembourg (Remich). What is life like in one of the hearts of Europe? What can we learn from their unique diversity? How does communality arise? We want to discuss this and other aspects with you and citizens from all 3 regions under our dome. Keep an eye out for the confirmed exact location later!
Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? In Schengen, we will focus on topics such as inter-EU regional experiences and European integration. Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00
15:00-16:30
Feel free to join at any time!

The Sphere says "Yes to Europe"
2019-05-11 12:30 - 14:00 | Wir sagen ja zu Europa, Marktplatz, Haltern am See, 45721, Germany
The Forum for Democracy, Respect and Diversity is organising the event “We say yes to Europe” on 11 May 2019 for the European elections on the market square in Haltern am See. Information, discussions with an “open microphone”, musical flash mobs, rock music and much more…
The program looks as follows:
10.00 Musical prelude with the rock band Ampless from Halterner Rockbüro
10.25 Welcome/opening (speeches by Wilhelm Neurohr/Herbert Bludau-Hoffmann)
10:45 10 European theses: Statements, information, i.a. with “Pulse of Europe
12.00 Musical Flashmob (with choir Together among others and more)
12.15 Speech on Europe (Jörg Eichenauer, Mehr Demokratie e. V. NRW)
12.30 Start Dome Talk about Europe
14.00/14.30 Closing words (David Schütz)

Bochum: Dome Talk from the centre, Talk, Theatre
2019-05-11 11:00 - 17:00 | Sharoun Kirche Bochum, Glockengarten 70, Bochum, 44538, Germany
European Public Sphere invites you to ‘dome-talk’: Sat. 11 May/ 11 to 13 o’clock and 15 to 17 o’clock on the forecourt of the Scharoun church in Bochum, Glockengarten 70, 44538 Bochum.
Europe from the centre
Does Europe have something to do with “the centre”? And does this centre may even carry a special task for Europe? Between East and West, North and South or perhaps also between “above” and “below”? Something that points from Europe into the future? But at the same time, we can see that Europe is also in danger of staggering again, as it always has in its history. These questions are about the concrete tasks of shaping our society.
Following the two dome talk units:
I am Europe – Theatre performance
From their play “Ich bin Europa” (I am Europe), the actors provocatively show exaggerated moments of the political European state and the social challenges of a common Europe. Europe as a fictitious figure experiences different facets of being. Initially as an alliance of power and economy, increasingly pierced by fear for its own security and always disintegrating into disunity and lack of definition.
Performers: Melanie Nagler & Daniela Blanck
Director: Melanie Nagler
An event of the Anthroposophische Gesellschaft NRW (Anthroposophic Community North Rhine-Westphalia), the Christengemeinschaft Bochum (Christian Community Bochum) and the European Public Sphere.
Admission is free! Drinks and biscuits will be provided on site for a fee.

Zandvoort - Paviljoen Jeroen
2019-04-14 12:30 - 17:00 | Zandvoort Paviljoen Jeroen, Strandafgang Barnaart 20, Zandvoort, 2041 KB, Netherlands
The European Public Sphere goes to the beach! In the soft sand of Zandvoort, right in front of the beautiful beach tent Paviljoen Jeroen, we build the Europe Dome and invite everyone to come join the discussions. We hope that the wide view on the sea will provide all participants with enough inspiration for deep talks. Where the waves of the North sea crash onto the beach, we will discuss topics such as climate change and migration. Join us at the beach in Zandvoort and enjoy the beautiful landscape as well as the European Public Sphere!
Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00 Climate change & the EU: What can a sustainable path for the EU look like?
15:00-16:30 What is the role of the EU on immigration and integration?
Feel free to join at any time!

Den Haag - Winkelcentrum Leyweg
2019-04-13 12:30 - 17:00 | Winkelcentrum Leyweg Den Haag, Leyweg 789, Den Haag, 2545 GM, Netherlands
Leyweg shopping centre is a social meeting place in this neighbourhood in The Hauge.The European Public Sphere of course had to make a tour stop at The Hague! Together, we’ll discuss the future of Europe in The Hague, the headquarters of a large number of national and international institutions. More than 150 supra-political bodies situated here, include famous examples such as the International Court of Justice and Europol.
Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? Here, our focus will lie on peace and justice as well as on European integration. Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00
15:00-16:30
Feel free to join at any time!

Amsterdam - De Hallen
2019-04-12 12:30 - 17:00 | Amsterdam De Hallen, Bellamyplein 51, Amsterdam, 1053 AT, Netherlands
In Amsterdam, we will serve a very special course: our Dome Talks will take place in the Passage of De Hallen. This hip place hasn’t been so hip for very long. For several decades the city, together with the citizens, tried to find a solution for the huge, unused area in the heart of Amsterdam West. Only a foundation set up especially for this purpose made the impossible possible. Today, De Hallen are a colourful attraction for connoisseurs, but associations with new ideas also have their place in the innovative concept. This is exactly where we are building our dome: on the border between a flourishing restaurant scene and workshops, art galleries and offices used by civil society. Is this the perfect modern-day example of a social market economy?
Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? In Amsterdam, we will discuss citizen participation and the quality and safety of our food. Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00
15:00-16:30
Feel free to join at any time!

Texel - DEMOCRACY ALIVE Festival
2019-04-11 12:30 - 17:00 | Texel – Democracy Alive, Groeneplaats, Den Burgh, 1791 CN, Netherlands
On the beautiful island of Texel, the European Public Sphere will be part of the democracy festival “DEMOCRACY ALIVE”. Together with citizens from all over Europe and a multitude of other organisations, politicians, companies, influencers, artists and trade unions, we will celebrate European democracy and ideals at the Groeneplaats in Den Burg, Texel. Celebrating along is worth it: there are events, discussions, gigs, readings, song contests, ping pong competitions and silent discos. The stage is yours!

Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? In Texel, we focus on topics such as the plastic waste problem and our expectations of the new European Parliament. Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00
15:00-16:30
Feel free to join at any time!

Maastricht - Bookstore Dominicanen
2019-04-05 12:30 - 17:00 | Boekhandel Dominicanen, Dominicanerkerkstraat 1, Maastricht, 6211 CZ, Netherlands
A place of inspiration, reflection and diverse cultural experiences: that is the bookshop Dominicanen in Maastricht in a nutshell. In the 700 years old Dominicaner church, we collect new experiences. At the foot of the former altar, we will try out the for us new technique of ‘positive talks’, while we enjoy the beautiful, restored fresco ceiling with an espresso from the local café. Come join us in the “fairest bookshop of the world, a bookshop made in heaven” – according to the Guardian.
Join us and discuss along about the EU. What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what does work well already? In Maastricht, our focus will lie on what connects us and what drives us apart. Also we will be having a positive dialogue about the EU! You can join the talks for ten minutes or for an hour. Everyone is welcome and every opinion counts!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Starting times:
12:30h
15:00h
It is of course also possible to join later, when the talks have already started.

Gent - Woodrow Wilsonplein
2019-04-04 11:00 - 17:00 | Woodrow Wilson Gent, Woodrow Wilsonplein, Gent, 9000, Belgium
We have our last stop in Belgium at Gent’s Woodrow Wilsonplein on the 4th of April. This time we will stand in front of, instead of inside, the hustle and bustle of a shopping centre. We continue the theme of talking about Europe’s future – in an open and respectful manner under the geodetic roof of the Europe Dome.
Join and discuss the EU with us! What are the problems we encounter? What do we want to change? And what works well already? In Gent, we will discuss education in the EU and our expectations of the new European Parliament. Everyone is welcome and every opinion is given a voice!
There will be two Dome Talks during the day.
Schedule:
12:30-14:00
15:00-16:30
Feel free to join at any time!
