More about the programme 2 November

What is the meaning of the Presidency of the Council of the EU?

Time: 11.30–12.15, Concert Hall

The Presidency rotates each six months among the member states. What is the meaning of this, for the member states as well as for the Union? Ambassador Barbara Jones from Ireland, which chairs the Council the second semester of 2026, is discussing with ambassador colleagues from two other EU countries.

Moderator

Annika Wäppling Korzinek, The European Commission Representing in Sweden

The Single Market for Services – the need to wake up Europe’s sleeping giant

Time: 11.30–12.15, Amfin

Why deeper services integration is essential to strengthen the Single Market in today’s geopolitical context.
Marking two decades with the EU Services Directive, we welcome you to a discussion with panellists from businesses, EU institutions and academia as well as our Director General, Anders Ahnlid, on the way ahead for the EU services market.

Speakers

• Anders Ahnlid, Director General National Board of Trade Sweden
• Hans Lindblad, Member of the European Court of Auditors
• Tina Karlberg, Head of Export, Sweco Sverige AB
• Maria Wiberg, Lund University and PTS

Moderator

Christofer Berg – Head of Department for the EU Internal Market, National Board of Trade Sweden

EU for Dummies

Time: 11.30–12.15, Botulfshörnan

Everything you wanted to know about the EU but were too afraid to ask. Join this lighthearted session to lean about and discuss the very basics of what the EU is. Bring your own questions!

EU Enlargement in Turbulent Times: Ukraine, Moldova and the Foundations of European Integration

Time: 13.00–13.45, Concert Hall

The values on which the European Union were founded appear to be under constant threat, from outside the EU, as well as from the inside. This session will discuss why these values are central to the very idea of the EU and how they can be protected in a rapidly changing world.

"Big in Brussels": Cracking the EU Career Code

Time: 13.00–13.45, Amfin

Ever wondered what it's really like to work inside the EU institutions? There is no single route to Brussels: some start with an internship or an EU traineeship, others through studies, EU competitions or as national experts. In this panel, moderated by Jeroen Reijnen, author of Big in Brussels, the panellists with very different journeys into the EU institutions share their experiences of getting started, finding their way in the “EU Bubble” and building a career in European public administration. Expect honest stories, practical advice and insights into EU selection and recruitment – including what institutions look for, how to stand out as an applicant and what they wish they had known before taking their first step. Whether you are a student, recent graduate or experienced professional, come and crack the EU career code with those who have already made the journey.

Participants: Swedish Council for Higher Education, European Personnel Selection Office, among others.

Panel members

• Kevin Svensson, Case Handler Officer & Economist, European Commission (DG Trade and Economic Security)
• Daniel Lazer, EU enthusiast, College of Europe alumnus, former European Parliament trainee
  
• Moa Rockler, former EU Careers Student Ambassador and former European Committee of the Regions trainee
• Klara Leis Ljungmark, Policy Assistant, European Commission (DG Human Resources and Security), working on strategic workforce planning and geographical balance.

Moderator

Jeroen Reijnen, author of Big in Brussels and civil servant at the European Commission.

The Fundamental Values of the European Union: What are they and why do they matter?

Time: 14.15–15.00, Concert Hall

The values on which the European Union were founded appear to be under constant threat, from outside the EU, as well as from the inside. This session will discuss why these values are central to the very idea of the EU and how they can be protected in a rapidly changing world.

Speakers

• Joakim Zander, Senior lecturer in Business law and Assistant Director at Centre for European Studies, Lund University
• Sofia Rönnow Pessah, Lawyer, Author
  
• Heidi Avellan, Senior columnist, Sydsvenska dagbladet

Moderator

TBC

Beyond Defence – Building Resilience in the Baltic Sea Region

Time: 14.15–15.00, Amfin

Local Chapters roll i New European Bauhaus-rörelsen (in Swedish)

Time: 14.15–15.00, Botulfshörnan

New European Bauhaus (NEB) är ett initiativ från EU-kommissionens ordförande Ursula von der Leyen. Initiativet är kopplat till Green Deal som är EU:s strategi för att Europa ska bli världens första klimatneutrala kontinent 2050. NEB ska bidra till att skapa platser som inte bara är miljömässigt hållbara, utan också inkluderande och vackra att bo i. Ledorden är beautiful, sustainable och together. Local Chapters är regionala noder bestående av organisationer verksamma inom NEB. Sverige ligger i framkant gällande etableringen av Local Chapters och Local Chapter Skåne är ett av dessa. Local Chapter Skåne samlar aktörer på lokal och regional nivå i ett tvärsektoriellt samarbete för att utforska hur konstnärliga och designbaserade metoder kan bidra till samhällsomställning.

Europe in a Changing World

Time: 15.05–15.50, Concert Hall

Insights from the Senior Advisory Board Katarina Areskoug Mascarenhas – Impact Europe and Lars Danielsson – Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the EU.

Moderator

Karin Hübinette

Uppdrag till nästa regering – EU:prioriteringar för tillväxt (in Swedish)

Time: 15.05–15.50, Amfin

När Europa står inför ökande geopolitisk osäkerhet och hårdnande global konkurrens från USA och Kina har behovet av högre tillväxt och stärkt konkurrenskraft blivit mer akut än någonsin. Med utgångspunkt i Svenskt Näringslivs EU-prioriteringar för nästa svenska regering kommer detta panelsamtal att diskutera hur EU kan skapa bättre förutsättningar för tillväxt genom en starkare inre marknad, ökad innovation och investeringar, stärkt säkerhet och resiliens samt en konkurrenskraftig grön och digital omställning — samtidigt som Europa fortsatt värnar frihandel och öppna marknader.

Speakers

• Anna Stellinger, Deputy Director General, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Moderator

Björn Wedin, Expert, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Afternoon Reception

Time: 15.50-16.30, In the Exhibition

Mingle and entertainment