Friday, 28 May
17:45 - 19:15
While Greens are in government in six EU member States, govern important regions and cities across the continent, the upcoming electoral year in Europe, with important elections in Germany, Hungary, and France brings hope that the green wave will keep on rolling and might well change the Future of Europe.
While they grow, get closer to power positions and start representing the real political alternative to build the future, Greens face increasing attacks from across the political spectrum. Competitors caricature the Greens, aiming to make people believe that they are not ready to govern; to be in the driving seat and conduct the necessary changes. How well founded are these stereotypes? Are the Greens’ policies only for the privileged? Is saving climate going to cost us jobs? Greens have been on the forefront of the fight for climate for decades, but are they able to govern a country? Can they make sure we’re safe? Do they only care about a minority of the population?
Grassroot activism and civic engagement has been at the core of Greens’ values and history. Despite being told this isn't the right way to do politics, the Greens have prevailed and gained a seat at the table. The Green family will openly address the ‘Green stereotypes’ at the 33rd Council. Three journalists will be in discussion with six Green politicians on the topics of social and economic justice, inclusion, and internal and foreign affairs.
Join us for this exciting session!
Speakers
 | Philippe Lamberts, Member of the European Parliament, co-President of the Greens / EFA group in the European Parliament After more than 20 years working with IBM, Philippe was elected to the European Parliament for a first term in 2009, mainly dealing with banking and financial regulations. In 2014, he was re-elected as MEP and one month later became Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group following an internal election process. After five years dedicated to strengthening the position of environmentalists within and outside the European institutions, Philippe was re-elected as Co-President of the Green Group following the European elections on 26 May 2019. For his third and final term as MEP, Philippe aims to §put the climate emergency at the top of the European agenda. | |
 | Grégory Doucet, Mayor of Lyon Born August 22, 1973 in Paris 1998 -2001: Project officer 'Travellers', and then Delegate for solidarity and specific target groups for ADIE, an NGO offering access to microcredit for disadvantaged groups. 2002-06: Program manager in Manila (Philippines) for the humanitarian aid organisation Inter Aide, 2007-09: Coordinator for Nepal for Enfants & Développement, a children-focus humanitarian aid organisation. |
 | Tonia Mastrobuoni, journalist, Berlin correspondent for la Repubblica German-Italian journalist, born in Brussels, grew up in Rome, graduated in literature. Currently, Correspondent in Germany and European Central Bank-watcher for La Repubblica, formerly La Stampa. 2001-11, Economic and Financial Reporter for Reuters, Apcom, Il Riformista, Radio Radicale. Since 2009, responsible for the book lectures for the "Festival of economics in Trento". In 2017, won the most important Italian journalistic prize, Il Premiolino. |
 | Sandra Benčić, Member of the Croatian Parliament, Možemo Political Platform | |
| Terry Reintke, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-president of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament Terry Reintke is vice-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament and the group's coordinator for the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. She is co-president of the LGBTI Intergroup and founder of the EU-UK Friendship Group. | |
| Rokhaya Diallo, journalist, writer, and filmmaker Rokhaya Diallo is a French journalist, writer, and award winning filmmaker widely recognized for her work, which dismantles the barricades of racism and sexism through the promotion of equality and pluralism. A TV host and a pundit on several French and international networks, Rokhaya is also a contributor to several newspapers and magazines. The Washington Post Opinions has named her a contributing writer to its Global Opinions section. She has also directed several documentaries including the award winning Steps To Liberty. She is the author of several books, including a graphic novel. In 2017 she was the only French person invited to attend the inauguration of the Obama Foundation. |
Photo credit: Mario Epanya
 | Ernest Urtasun, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-president of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament Barcelona 27/01/1982. BA in Economics, International Relations Diploma and concluded the Spanish Diplomatic Corps College. Actively political since 1998 with JEV, FYEG and EGP. 2004-2009 European Parliamentary Assistant; in 2010 joins the Diplomatic Corps working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; 2011-2014 is Diplomatic Advisor to the SecGen of UpM - Union for the Mediterranean. | |
 | Maria Ohisalo, Chairperson, Finnish Greens, Minister of Interior Maria Ohisalo is the Finnish Minister of Interior, Chairperson of the Finnish Greens, member of the Finnish Parliament and a Helsinki City Councillor. Fighting climate change and poverty are life-long missions for Ohisalo who sees education as a way to meet these challenges. She has done research on poverty and inequality in Finland and has a PhD in social sciences (sociology) from the University of Helsinki. |
| Erika Solomon, journalist, Berlin Correspondent, Financial Times Erika has been a foreign correspondent for the Financial Times since 2014. As the paper’s Middle East correspondent until 2018, she focused on the conflicts in Syria and Iraq and the ensuing refugee crises. She first moved to the Middle East in 2008 after graduating from Harvard University, working first for Reuters news agency across the Middle East and North Africa. Erika joined the FT’s Berlin bureau in 2020. |
Session moderator:
| Mélanie Vogel, Committee Member, European Greens Melanie Vogel is a Political advisor on Constitutional affairs in the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. |
