Living Beyond its Resources:
Impacts of 'Global Europe' on Sustainable Development

Since November 2006, 'Global Europe' is the new central feature of the EU's external economic policies. 'Global Europe' is conceived as the “external dimension” of the Lisbon Strategy for “growth, jobs and competitiveness” (adopted in 2000) and a response to new “global challenges”, such as the rise of China and India. 'Global Europe' promotes a globally-oriented and outward-looking Europe and aims at increasing Europe's “competitiveness” on world markets by expanding the realm of “free trade” rules, securing enhanced market access for European companies and securing cheap supplies of raw materials and primary products (including energy resources) for its industry. As such, 'Global Europe' pays very little attention to the objective of sustainable development – in fact, it appears to completely contradict it. This 'external' strategy goes hand in hand with an 'internal' strategy, focusing on business-friendly 'domestic reforms' in Europe, such as the 'Better Regulation' initiative. In the context of an acceleration of various global crises (EU integration, food, finance, climate, labour…), 'Global Europe' is considered by a growing number of civil society groups as excessively biased towards big business and an inadequate political “toolbox” for facing today's global challenges in a socially and environmentally sound manner.

The conference filled a gap in the current debate around 'Global Europe', where civil society groups and social movements have been little involved, as compared to the intense activity of European business and industry. The objective was therefore to raise public attention to the GE agenda, involve new stakeholders in the Brussels debate, and discuss alternative political paths for the European Union. Speakers from both Europe and developing countries with a particular experience or knowledge about the issues discussed participated actively in the conference's debates..

Download the list of participants

The programme included a press briefing, a fair-trade reception and a panel debate on "Taking Stock of 'Global Europe' , Looking Ahead". More...

Background information and aims of the conference

Links to the sessions:

[SESSION 1] 'Global Europe': Trading Away the World's Natural Resources?
[SESSION 2] Fuelling Europe: A Trade-off between Energy Security and Sustainability?
[SESSION 3] Free Trade Agreements & Sustainable Development: The Need for a Re-evaluation?
[PANEL DEBATE] Taking Stock of Global Europe, Looking Ahead

This event is organised with the financial assistance of the European Union. The organisers gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust and the Isvara Foundation.