This forum inherited many themes addressed by the Human Security and Global Governance, but placed them in a firmer EU framework. Its workshops, meetings, public events and publications focussed on two key strands. The first examined the EU and its ability to build up its foreign policy “system”, especially in the light of the new provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, and addressed issues such as the creation and implementation of the European External Action Service, in cooperation with the EU Integration and Citizenship Programme. It broadened the horizon to look at the debate within Europe at large on the priorities, principles, strategic objectives, and constraints that influence EU foreign policy making.
The second strand examined EU performance on the global stage and its contribution to security in the world. Alongside the impact of the EU in specific regions and countries (activities carried out together with the EPC’s regional forums), such as the analysis of CSDP missions, the forum addressed key issues such as the changing role of the EU in international institutions, the future of multilateralism, international justice, and themes related to war and peace.
The forum brought together original insights also thanks to its broad range of participants that include experts, NGO representatives, officials from the EU institutions and diplomatic representations, but also MEPs, national experts, and representatives from civil society and the corporate world.