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Bocconi with Financial Times Hear Out the Young on the Future of Europe

, by Tomaso Eridani
Students from six European universities took part in a competition. Among the winners Bocconi's Enrico Ellero, who on December 4 will be among the speakers at a debate with Mario Monti, Francesco Giavazzi, Donato Masciandaro and FT journalists

Between Brexit and the growth of nationalist parties, Europe is facing one of its most trying times in decades. To give a voice to young people in the debate on the future of Europe, the Financial Times has launched a partnership with six universities, including Bocconi, for the 'The Future of Europe Project' initiative, which involved the students being asked to write an opinion article to be then published in the newspaper.

"The Financial Times is launching this project to brainstorm about the future of Europe," explained Lionel Barber, FT Editor. "This is as an opportunity to give voice to the brightest young minds to participate in the debate about their future. Their contribution will inform and enrich the debate among policymakers."

Every university had a group of students participating in the competition, and each student wrote an opinion article on the future of Europe. A panel of FT journalists and experts in European politics then chose one winner and two runners-up for each university. Bocconi saw the participation of the students of the Monetary Economics course held by Francesco Giavazzi and Donato Masciandaro. Enrico Ellero, with his op-ed on 'Germany's weakness and the leadership problem', was chosen as the winner by the judges and will see his article published in the FT. Mauro Durante and Lorenzo Polipo are the runners-up at Bocconi.

"In this difficult period for the European project, aggravated at this moment by the sudden political weakness of Germany, the heart of the continent, it is more important than ever to think together about its future. And involving young people is essential to bring new ideas to the debate," says Giavazzi.

And on Monday 4th December, at 7.30 p.m., a debate will take place in Bocconi on the future of Europe with an introduction by Mario Monti, President of Bocconi, and then a round table with panel speakers Giavazzi and Masciandaro, James Blitz and Rachel Sanderson, journalists of the FT, and students.

The other participating universities in the FT's initiative are Sciences Po of Paris, Trinity College Dublin, Jagiellonian University of Cracow, Hertie School of Governance of Berlin and Athens University of Economics and Business.

To participate on December 4 register here:
https://events.unibocconi.eu/index.php?key=ev2017110067



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