COMECE is pleased to draw attention to the conference “Premières rencontres européennes des Bernardins”, an important gathering dedicated to reflecting on the future of Europe and the values underpinning the European project. The event will take place on Saturday, 12 September 2026, from 08:15 to 18:45 at the Collège des Bernardins, 20 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris, France. COMECE document | More info
The event will bring together European political, religious, military, industrial, academic and civil society figures for a series of discussions on some of the key challenges facing Europe today. Among the prominent participants will be Cardinal Reinhard Marx, former President of COMECE. Cardinal Marx served as President of COMECE from 2012 to 2018 and remains an important voice in discussions on the European project and its ethical foundations.
One of the panel discussions will also address the theme of “A Europe of Values: The Ethical Dimension of the European Union”, a document prepared by COMECE in March 2007.
Nearly two decades after its publication, this COMECE document remains a relevant contribution to the debate on the values and principles that should shape the European Union. It is currently being updated, particularly in light of the challenges facing European integration and the European peace process today. The 2007 document is available in different languages and can be downloaded here.
The conference will feature four roundtable discussions:
- “Democracy and the rule of law: the question of nationalism”
- “Economic performance and social justice”
- “The European Union, born for peace, is rearming: is this a repudiation of its founding principles?”
- “What means does the European Union have to become a laboratory for social, political and technological innovation?”
COMECE is pleased to draw attention to this significant gathering in Paris, which will be of particular interest to those reflecting on the future of the European project. The event will be held in French and English, with simultaneous interpretation.
Conference “Premières rencontres européennes des Bernardins”
Saturday, 12 September 2026, from 08:15 to 18:45
Collège des Bernardins, 20 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris (France)
More info | COMECE Document in EN – IT – DE – ES – FR – PT