La Maison de l'Europe

La Maison de l'Europe manages the Bibliothèque Solvay, which is used for events spanning the worlds of politics, business, society and culture.

THE BIBLIOTHEQUE SOLVAY: 'A NEW OPEN DOOR TO EUROPE'

From the website of the Bibliothèque Solvay:

Our objective is to create, within the Bibliothèque Solvay, a venue of preferred choice for leading Belgian and European figures. By organising events that capture the attention of the political, economic and cultural world, we intend to make the Bibliothèque Solvay a genuine European symbol that accentuates the European role of Brussels and Belgium. The Bibliothèque Solvay was, amongst others, the 'temporary' home to the Heads of State and Government for an informal dinner during a European Summit, to Kofi Annan when he visited an international NGO forum in the Bibliothèque, to Bill Gates whilst on a mission to the capital of Europe.

The Bibliothèque Solvay is home to a number of organisations that share the missions we have embraced.

La Maison de l'Europe, with an Advisory Board under the chairmanship of Baron Daniel Janssen, President of the Board of Directors of Solvay S.A., manages this charming venue, which is used for events spanning the worlds of politics, business, society and culture.

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.

Amongst other things, La Maison de l'Europe is responsible for placing the facilities of the Bibliothèque Solvay at the disposal of organisations wishing to hold their own event, as well as facilitating and handling all logistics and practical organisation of these events. La Maison de l'Europe also initiates and co-ordinates a series of cultural events.

Also inside the Bibliothèque Solvay are:

Forum Europe has been established since 1989 as one of the leading EU issues specialists by creating a neutral platform for debate. Over the last 13 years, Forum Europe has gained a reputation as a leading EU affairs specialist. By establishing and developing press relations for our partners, writing and widely distributing publications, and holding high-profile events, Forum Europe brings often controversial debates to the forefront of public, political and media opinion. Forum Europe offers governments, international institutions, industrial associations and companies as well as NGOs an opportunity to make their mark on Europe's future. Forum Europe is active throughout the whole of Europe, but it is delighted to organise most of its Brussels events in this remarkable building. The original and prestigious setting, and the proximity to the EU Institutions make it an ideal venue for the high-level events of Forum Europe. These often feature European Commissioners, Ministers and CEOs of international companies.

Friends of Europe aims to promote discussion, research and new thinking on the issues shaping the future of European integration. It is a non-profit organisation without national or political bias. Friends of Europe's activities are directed by a Board of Trustees under the chairmanship of Viscount Etienne Davignon and its trustees are senior figures who contribute to the process of European integration such as Baron Daniel Janssen, Chairman of Solvay, Javier Solana, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU or Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade. To stimulate public interest and engage policymakers, Friends of Europe's activities take place both in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe in cooperation with national partners.

Humanitarian Affairs Review, which provides a unique global forum for opinion and information on humanitarian and development issues, is a quarterly journal published in partnership with the European Commission, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and others, in 7,000 copies in English and French. It was set up to meet the need for a journal covering humanitarian topics at international level which would be accessible not only to experts in humanitarian affairs but also to non-experts. Since its creation in April 1998, the review has successfully established itself as the only independent global platform for ideas and debate. It has done so thanks to strong support and interest shown by NGOs and the international agencies.

People

The Advisory Board to La Maison de l'Europe

La Maison de l'Europe's Advisory Board is not involved in the day-to-day management of the events taking place in the Bibliothèque Solvay, nor do its members have any financial or legal responsibility for the activities of La Maison de l'Europe.

Made up of prominent Belgian and non-Belgian figures, most of them long-time Brussels residents, the Advisory Board's function is to help ensure that events at La Maison de l'Europe reflect as wide a range of quality social, political, cultural and business activities as possible.

President: Daniel Janssen - President of the Board of Directors Solvay S.A. Adviser: Catherine Gernay - Director, Evolution Management

Members: Enrique Barèn Crespo | Evelyn Gessler | Elmar Schneider | Daniel Cahen | Didier Goffart Piet Steel | Geert Cami | Michel Hansenne | Danilo Torchiani | Jozef Chabert Roger Lallemand | Frans Van Daele | Marysia Cukier Marion Lemesre Michel Vanden Abeele | Herman De Croo Giles Merritt Eric Van der Schueren | Armand De Decker Francis Metzger Michel Van der Stichele | Paul De Grauwe Michèle Nahum-Hasquin Karel Van Miert | Pierre Defraigne Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck | Herman Van Rompuy | Jean-Luc Dehaene Robert Palmer Francis Verheughe | Beatrice Delvaux Roland Perceval | Jean de Ruyt | Franz-Josef Reuter | Christian Franzen | Jose Roland