The XXV Summer University hosted by EFA member UDB was held from 21 to 23 August in An Oriant/Lorient

To mark the beginning of the political year, EFA, Régions et Peuples Solidaires (RPS) and Union of the Breton People (UDB) have held together the XXV Summer University in An Oriant/Lorient, Brittany, from 21 to 23 August 2020.

Under the ‘Autonomy and Interdependence’ motto, the event, hosted by EFA Member UDB, aimed at narrowing the gap between the different parties, as well as to discuss and align political positions and roadmaps within the current COVID-19 context. During the sessions, contributions from the civil society and the academic perspective were also brought together to the debate.

Some ideas and proposals included, for the 2021 regional elections of France, the creation of the ‘Assembly of Brittany’, with 110 seats to gather all Breton territories within a single Assembly with legislative competencies with the aim of creating a Breton Federation to advance towards the reunification of Brittany.

EFA President Lorena López de Lacalle participated as speaker in the round table ‘The place of the territories in the economic recovery and the future of Europe’ moderated by EFA MEP François Alfonsi. Under the topic ‘Surpassing the Europe of the States’ (Dépasser l’Europe des Etats), she raised the concept of ‘variable geography’ in the construction of the post-pandemic Europe to be linked to two key concepts: solidarity and pragmatism. She added:

“Europe must therefore be seen as through a kaleidoscope, with multiple, changing shapes and colours, not like a single colour picture. It is necessary to change the perspective and have that kaleidoscopic vision of Europe. Relations between the different territories have to be favoured according to their needs and specificities. We defend the notion of a modular geography that favours the emancipation of all territories.”

See the programme (in French)

Watch the event in YouTube