Bibliothèque Solvay

Bibliothèque Solvay is a former library situated close to the European Parliament in Parc Leopold in Brussels. It states that 'Since January 2000, this elegant and distinguished Brussels landmark has been available to all groups, organisations, institutions and private companies wishing to hold scientific, academic, social or cultural events, press conferences, receptions or dinners. La Maison de l'Europe welcomes as wide a range of quality activities as possible.' The task of ensuring the wide range of events is entrusted to the Advisory Board of La Maison de l'Europe which runs the venue.

However, Bibliothèque Solvay also hosts many corporate events. It is particularly favoured by corporate lobbyists. This can be seen from the overwhelmingly corporate character of the meetings held there and the fact that three neoliberal think tanks (Forum Europe, Friends of Europe and Security and Defence Agenda - formerly New Defence Agenda) are run from the premises by lobbyist Giles Merritt who also sits on the Advisory Board.

Meetings held at the Bibliothèque Solvay

• Nike Europe June 2000 European presentation of the 2001 collection.
• British Council 2001-2002 In collaboration with the Bibliothèque Solvay, the British Council has organised several cultural events including an exposition of up and coming artists within the realms of art, sculpture and opera.
• Microsoft 2001 saw the launching of the 'Windows XP' and the chosen site in Belgium for this event was the Bibliothèque Solvay.
• Conseil de l'Union europeenne 24 October 2002 'At the fireside' or 'Au coin du feu' was the name given to the working dinner of the 15 European Union leaders held during the Danish presidency of the EU at the Bibliothèque Solvay.
• Permanent Representations to the EU (U.K., Austria, Italy, Denmark, i.a.o.) Its proximity to the European Institutions, its special position in the history not only of Brussels, but also of Belgium and its ambience that combines solemnity and ardour make the Bibliothèque Solvay the preferred choice for a number of Permanent Representations.
• Circle of Growth 30 January 2003 Over a lunch created by one of the leading Belgian chefs, 80 top Belgian CEOs and businessmen had a chance to interview Bill Gates at the Bibliothèque Solvay on his return to Belgium.

List of other members

But there are also many others

• Accenture
• Hill & Knowlton
• Adamson BSMG Worldwide
• IBM Belgium
• Any Performance
• Intel Corporation
• APCO Europe
• Interbrew
• Astra Zeneca
• International Federation of Phonographic Industry
• BBC
• ITV
• Belgacom
• Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung
• Bertelsmann
• Land Salzburg
• British Telecom
• Ministère des Affaires Economiques
• Bruxelles 2000
• Ministère des Affaires Etrangères
• Bureau du Patronat Catalan
• Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken
• Bureau europeen des Unions de Consommateurs (BEUC)
• Opel
• Bureau of European Design Association
• Regione autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia
• Burson Marsteller
• Roularta Media Group
• Canal +
• Royale Belge
• Comite Europeen des Fabricants de sucre
• RTBF
• Corporate Events
• RTL-TVI
• Dargaud-Lombard
• Sachsen Anhalt
• Deutsche Aktieninstitut
• Schering-Plough
• Deutsche Telekom
• Telespazio
• Embassy of the United Kingdom to Belgium
• The European Policy Centre
• Eucar
• The European Voice
• European Association of Communications Agencies
• The National Trust
• European Commission
• The World Bank
• European Institute of Asian Study
• Uitgeversbedrijf Tijd
• European Investment Bank
• ULB
• European Parliament
• UNICE-ESF
• European Space Agency
• Union Internationale des Transports Routiers
• Friends of the Earth Europe
• V.O Communication
• Glaxo Smithkline
• Volvo
• Guy Laroche
• VRT

Contact

website www.bibliothequesolvay.be