European Policy Centre

The European Policy Centre (EPC ) is a Brussels-based independent non-profit think tank that deals with matters concerning the European Union. It is committed to pursue the European integration, and to promote discussion and further reflection on the current and future issues and problems of the European Union.

Objectives, tasks and members

The goal in this area is to accelerate new ideas and innovative thinking and promote a balanced dialogue between its more than 400 member organizations from all areas of public life.

The membership of the EPC includes businesses, civil society, national governments, diplomatic representations, as well as regional and local authorities. On the numerous events organized by the EPC every year, its members come together with experts and European officials to discuss the key issues that dominate the European agenda.

In addition, the EPC provides its members and the general public with quick and thorough analyzes based on a variety of publications that deal with the main European and global issues as well as, if appropriate, present proposals for solutions.

The work of the EPC is divided into three areas, which deal with the core issues of EU policy:

• EU Integration and Citizenship
• Europe's political economy
• Europe in the World

The interdisciplinary and integrative approach of actor EPCs that involves all members in discussion forums, and it can shaping proposed solutions, provides a broad basis for the work of the EPC and a solid point of attachment to the realities of European politics.

EPC management organization

The Annual General Meeting of EPCs is chaired by Peter Sutherland, former European Commissioner and former Director General of the World Trade Organization. In addition, he serves as president of the consultative body of the EPC, which includes many prominent European personalities. The Board of Directors is chaired by Antonio Vitorino, former European Commissioner and former Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal. The manager of the EPCs is Hans Martens.

The EPC has two strategic partners with whom it works closely in many areas: the King Baudouin Foundation in Belgium and the Turin-based Foundation Compagnia di San Paolo.

Publications

• Challenge Europe Issue 17: The People 's Project with contributions by Peter Sutherland, Richard Corbett, Mark Rhinhart and others ( December 2007)
• Challenge Europe Issue 16: Europe @ 50: back to the future with contributions of the former Belgian Prime Minister Jean -Luc Dehaene, the former WTO Director-General Renato Ruggiero, Yves Menon, John Palmer and Antonio Vitorino ( February 2007)

Policy Briefs

Tackling Europe's innovation deficit Fabian Zuleeg (November 2008)

The EU Immigration Pact - from Hague to Stockholm, via Paris Elizabeth Collett (October 2008)

Making Bosnia and Herzegovina 's transformation irreversibleLidija Topic (June 2008)

Is the health of the Single Market under threat? Marie -Hélène Fandel (June 2008)

Revisiting the European Security Strategy - beyond 2008Antonio Missiroli (April 2008)

Building democracy and fighting extremism in Pakistan: a role for the EU Shada Islam ( April 2008)

Freedom, security and justice: the new Lisbon ( Treaty ) agenda Jérôme Bacquias (February 2008)

Union for the Mediterranean, disunity Union for the Mediterranean, disunity for the EU? Rosa Balfour and Dorothée Schmid (February 2008)

A bigger bang for our euros: how to reform the EU budget Fabian Zuleeg and Sara Hagemann (January 2008)

Issue papers

56: What role for the private sector in ' societal security'? Alyson Bailes (October 2008)

55: EU energy and climate policy - two years on Jørgen Henningsen (September 2008)

Working Papers

31: The Balkans in Europe: containment or transformation? Twelve ideas for action Rosa Balfour (June 2008)

30: Making migration work: the role of Employers in migrant integration elizabeth Collett and Karolina Sitek (May 2008)

29: Gain without pain: towards a more rational use of energy Marie-Hélène Fandel and Fabian Zuleeg (March 2008)

Commentaries

The EPC also published commentaries on current topics, for example:

Between EU and U.S.: Reassessing security and peace -building:

Where would we be now without the euro?

Reducing unnecessary red tape: where are the low hanging fruit?

The guns of August

Social Europe: moving forward but with small and cautious steps

Shoring up the EU 's Mediterranean policy: where next?

Cyprus: heading for a solution?

The specter of stagflation

Embracing the Polish plumber: ( belated ) or solidarity ( naked) self-interest?

Seeking a new international approach on Afghanistan and Pakistan

Commissioners on the move

Europe, globalization and the Single Market: lessons and comparisons

At independence foretold - and a foregone conclusion

Asian Voices in Europe II

Featuring high-profile political and academic speakers from Central Asia, China, India, Japan and Pakistan, (March 2008)