A Retrospective of the Brexit Event
Last week Saturday LUC hosted a Symposium about Brexit for students and alumni. Many interesting perspectives were shared by the speakers, as well as comments and questions from the public.
Tessel Giele (class of 2015) illustrated how the difference between the political systems of the UK and mainland Europe have shaped Brexit, suggesting that political reform could help the UK move forward.
Simone van Slooten (class of 2017) showed how the absence of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU leaves some gaps in the UK’s human rights framework. Sam Gaunt (class of 2018 ½) shared some of his personal experiences with Brexit, ranging from the lack of understanding about the EU and UK to small impact the EU has on the individual.
Hans van Baalen
The Alumni - panel was joined by our very own Dr. Joris Larik and special guest Hans van Baalen (European Parliament). Dr. Larik enlightened us about some of the global ramifications of Brexit, including how the UK will have to renegotiate many treaties. Hans van Baalen shared his vision on several topics and called for more dialogue: ‘we shouldn’t call someone who is pro-Europe a traitor and neither should we call someone who does not want further EU integration an extremist.’ The discussion with the public afterwards was very insightful, so we want to thank all who were there for your interesting questions!
- 1.Internationaal georiënteerde liberaal, die namens de VVD negen jaar Tweede Kamerlid en tien jaar lid van het Europees Parlement was. Voor zijn Kamerlidmaatschap directeur van Public Affairs Consultants bij Deloitte en internationaal secretaris van de VVD. Zijn komst in de Kamer werd vertraagd vanwege geruchten over extreemrechtse sympathieën als student, die echter onbewezen bleven. Ontwikkelde zich snel tot een gedegen Kamerlid, dat helder en scherp formuleerde. Woordvoerder Europese zaken en als voorzitter van de commissie voor Defensie nauw betrokken bij de krijgsmacht. Was in 2009 en 2014 lijsttrekker bij de Europese verkiezingen. Baarde opzien met zijn steun aan de Oekraïense democratiseringsbeweging. Aimabele, toegankelijke volksvertegenwoordiger, die grossierde in buitenlandse onderscheidingen.