The Helsinki Forum 2000
Introduction
Helsinki Forum was founded in 1998 and its purpose is to encourage the conditions for an open, tolerant and democratic culture in Europe. It will bring together philosophers, writers and scientists from all the European countries. The first Pan-European event "Whose Europe?" is organised 6-9 September 2000 as part of the programme of the Year of Culture 2000 and the University of Helsinki. The office of Helsinki Forum is located at the University of Helsinki, in the Department of Sociology.
Cultural process
Helsinki Forum - a platform for a Pan-European cultural process
The future of the European continent depends largely on the idea of Europe adopted by its citizens. Helsinki Forum provides a framework for a Pan-European cultural and critical debate. This process concerns all the citizens of Europe. The complexity and the common heritage of Europe provide the ingredients for the key question: how can we define the concept of Europe?
The first meeting "Whose Europe?" in September 2000 will continue the tradition of open debates for which Helsinki is known. It will gather in Helsinki independent intellectuals from all European countries and create a cultural process which supports the shaping of a new Pan-European civil society and citizenship. The process will continue beyond the year 2000 and lead to a series of publications. The essays, articles and books about the European heritage and its future will serve as initiatives in the expanding discussion and create a new awareness of the challenges facing Europe.
Whose Europe?
Meeting in Helsinki 6-9 September 2000
The first and the most significant event of the cultural process created by Helsinki Forum will be a Pan-European meeting organised in Helsinki in September 2000 as part of the Year of Culture programme of the City of Helsinki and the University of Helsinki.
The event consists of public debates, recorded and transmitted on the internet. The panel discussion on Saturday 9 September will bring the event to a conclusion. Each day and throughout the day there will be a series of meetings and workshops for the invited guests.
The meeting will be conducted in English.
Preliminary programme
Date Time Theme
(All times are Finnish Time, which is 1 hour ahead of Central European Time (17-19 CET).
6.9.2000 18.00-20.00 First meeting, open informal discussion
PROPOSED TO BE IN CAFE9.NET
7.9.2000 18.00-20.00 Public debates - "an evening of the senses"
PROPOSED TO BE IN CAFE9.NET
8.9.2000 18.00-20.00 Public debates - "an evening of myths"
PROPOSED TO BE IN CAFE9.NET
9.9.2000 17.00-19.00 Closing panel: "Whose Europe?"
AT THE OLD STUDENT HOUSE- HELSINKI
Opening words: Georg Henrik von Wright (FIN)
Chairman:(to be confirmed)
Free entrance.
The discussions will be conducted in English.
Participants
The estimated number of participants is around 40 (one from each European country), including independent intellectuals, sociologists, philosophers, writers, academics and journalists.
The following persons have confirmed their participation (by Feb 24, 2000):
Bashkim Shehu, Albania
Elisabeth Reichart, Austria
Olga M. Shutova, Belarus
Koen Brams, Belgium
Kristian Bankov, Bulgaria
Slavenka Drakulic, Croatia
Uffe =D8stergaard, Denmark
Jaan Kaplinski, Estonia
M=E4rt V=E4ljataga, Estonia
Georg Henrik von Wright (opening words), Finland
Antonin Liehm, France/Czech Republic
Heidrun Friese, Germany
Simon Critchley, Great Britain
Amanda Michalopoulou, Greece
Valur Ingimundarson, Iceland
Colm T=F3ib=EDn, Ireland
Ezra Talmor, Israel
Nora Ikstena, Latvia
Ruta Vanagaite, Lithuania
Dejan Dukovski, Macedonia
Nicolae Negru, Moldova
Paul Scheffer, Netherlands
Erling Fossen, Norway
Fernando Rosas, Portugal
Johanna Domokos, Romania
Irina Prokhorova, Russia
Martin M. Simecka, Slovakia
Ales Debeljak, Slovenia
G=F6ran Rosenberg, Sweden
Pierre Hazan, Switzerland
Nadire Mater, Turkey
Veton Surroi, Yugoslavia-Kosovo
Bojka Djukanovic, Yugoslavia-Montenegro
Zarana Papic, Yugoslavia-Serbia
We are awaiting verification from some more speakers also.
