On July 26 and 27, a group of 30 European leaders from business, academia, civil society and politics gathered for a workshop of rare intensity at the Maison Jean Monnet in Houjarray. The event took place in a highly symbolic location: the house where Jean Monnet lived and worked for decades, and where the Schuman Declaration, the founding act of the European Union, was drafted.
Throughout the weekend, participants addressed a central question: how can we revitalize the European project through collective, concrete action?
Guided by Monnet’s unshakeable vision of a united, peaceful and sovereign Europe in an interdependent world, the discussions were nourished by his philosophy of action. One phrase in particular resonated throughout the debates: “Anything becomes possible as soon as you focus on one specific point that drives everything else.”
Professor Maria João Rodrigues participated in this inspiring event.