Former EU foreign policy chief visits Surrey to debate the survival of democracy in Europe

As the crisis in Ukraine spills over into its second month and Marie Le Pen surges in the French presidential election polls, the EU’s former foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, joins a special roundtable to debate how Europe and democracy can survive in an increasingly challenging world.

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The roundtable event, organised by the University of Surrey’s Centre for Britain and Europe, and titled ‘Europe’s place in a challenged world’, is open to members of the public and will take place on the University of Surrey’s Stag Hill campus on Thursday 28 April from 12-1.15pm.

The panel will also feature award-winning journalist, Barbara Serra, who has worked for Al Jazeera’s NewsHour programme, as well as the BBC, Sky News and Channel 5.

Between 2014-19, Federica Mogherini was the former Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Currently the Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, she brings unique experience and insights that guarantee a stimulating conversation on the current status of European foreign affairs, its challenges and longer-term opportunities.

Professor Amelia Hadfield, Dean International and Head of the Department of Politics at the University of Surrey, said:

“This special event will provide a fascinating discussion around the current state of Europe, which has seen some of the swiftest geopolitical changes since the end of World War Two, notably as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The roundtable will also assess the impact of the Ukraine crisis on the EU’s ability to be an effective foreign and security actor.”

For more information and to book your free place, please visit Eventbrite.

Note to editors

Panel members Professor Amelia Hadfield, Professor Theofanis Exadaktylos, and Dr Alia Middleton are available for interview upon request
University of Surrey Media Team contact details: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk