IDM Conference — Shifting Narratives of Enlargement
The Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, Ambassador David Dondua, participated in the conference “Shifting Narratives of Enlargement” organised by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) on 4 December in Vienna.
The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, researchers, and civil society representatives to examine how the European Union can safeguard democracy, strengthen resilience, and maintain a citizen-focused approach to enlargement amid democratic backsliding and geopolitical uncertainty.
The programme included a research presentation on citizen-based EU reform, a keynote address from the European Commission, and a panel discussion addressing the legacy of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EUSDR Presidency, and the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Speakers explored how the EU can support reconciliation, avoid past mistakes, and advance both deepening and widening in parallel.
The discussions highlighted the urgent need for credible enlargement policies, stronger communication with citizens, and enhanced EU engagement in its neighbouring regions — key priorities closely aligned with the mission of the EU Awareness Centre.
