From Nobel Peace Prize winner to state of crisis – is a European political public sphere possible?

Monday, June 13 / Room Bangkok I + II / 2.00 p.m.

Only a few years ago the European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize "for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe."

Looking at the EU right now, there is not much left of this unifying spirit. Controversial discussions on refugees, terror threats, the euro crisis as well as unilateralist leanings dominate the climate. Europe has never seemed more fragile than it does today. Not only are discipline, willingness to compromise and loyalty lacking. Above all, there is no European political public sphere to discuss central questions concerning a European togetherness.

Can media contribute in establishing such a political public sphere? Or are cultural differences leading to different perspectives and thus to unbridgeable different approaches in reporting about Europe? How are media outlets in the EU's member states actually portraying their respective neighbors? Where are the differences in the work methods and where are the similarities? How can a transnational discourse on European integration be established?