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The University of Macau (UM) will hold a Jean Monnet Seminar soon. In the context of the seminar, Prof. Romano Prodi, former Prime Minister of Italy, will deliver a talk on “The European Union in the 21st Century” and a debate on “European Union-China-Africa Relations” on 21 Jan and 22 Jan respectively.

UM and the Jean Monnet Chair has the longstanding support of the Lifelong Program of the European Commission and the Institute of European Studies of Macau. Many personages with remarkable contributions to the world have been invited to Macao to give talks in the context of the Jean Monnet Seminars. This time, Prof. Romano Prodi is expected to cover important issues of our contemporary times, such as the state of the European Union at the start of the 21st century, which was fraught with uncertainties; the new balances of an emerging, multipolar new world order where China shall have a growing importance but where the European Union, in spite of the current financial difficulties, shall likely maintain an equally important leadership status, because of the reforms set out in the Lisbon Treaty as well as its continuing capacity in terms of political and economic innovation and equally the fact that it remains the most important trade and economic partner for China and pole of relation and even inspiration for other major global players as well as integration ventures. The terms of a desirable healthy relationship between China and Europe shall no doubt also be addressed as well as insights on a possible shared view and active cooperation of both the European Union and China together with Africa.

In his remarkable academic career, Prof. Romano Prodi has been President of the European Commission from 1999 to 2005 and twice Prime Minister of Italy from 1996 to 1998 and from 2006 to 2008 respectively. He has been, since then, President of the Foundation for Worldwide Cooperation and in July 2008 was named by the Secretary-general of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-Moon Chairman of the UN-AU High Level Panel for Peacekeeping in Africa. In February 2009, he became Professor at-large at Brown University (USA) and recently was appointed Professor of the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai. During his academic and institutional career, Romano Prodi has been awarded a number of recognitions and also holds various honorary degrees.

Prof. Romano Prodi’s talk on “The European Union in the 21st Century” will take place at 18:30 on 21 Jan in the STDM Auditorium of the University Library. The debate on “European Union-China-Africa Relations” will take place at 10:30 on 22 Jan in the STDM Auditorium of the University Library. The talks will be open to the public. All are welcome. For enquiries, please call 83974088.