Koen Lemmens
Professor
Overijse - 3090
Biography
Prof. Dr. Koen Lemmens (born 1976) studied law at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He obtained his law degree in 1999. In 2003, he obtained his PhD at the European University Institute (Florence, Italy) with a thesis on "La presse et la protection juridique de l'individu: attention aux chiens de garde! Pour un exercice responsable de la liberté de presse à l'aune de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme et de la Constitution belge".
Koen Lemmens began his academic career teaching an introductory course on comparative law (2004-2011) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where he also taught legal theory (2008-2011) and comparative constitutional law (2007-2012). He also taught at the University of Antwerp (2008-2012).
Currently, Koen Lemmens is a professor of human rights, constitutional and media law at K.U.Leuven. He is also teaching in the E.Ma-programme in Venice, Italy. He is an attorney at the Brussels bar, specialized in proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights. Koen Lemmens is also a member of the scientific committee of several legal journals and he is the Vice-President of the Belgian Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights.
Organisation
KU Leuven
Speaker session
Opening session - Vote for the Future of Europe: free, fair and resilient elections to the European Parliament 2024
- Public web-streamed session
- Public web-streamed session
Topic: As the cornerstone of any democracy, free, fair and resilient elections are essential to preserve the confidence of citizens in the Union and its institutions, and in ensuring representation and accountability.
The European parliamentary elections in 2024 will enable citizens to shape, in the most direct way, the future of the Union for the next 5 years. They are organised by the 27 EU Member States and the European institutions working together, to include over 400 million voters and elect future MEPs from tens of thousands of candidates.
The opening session of the high-level event will discuss the importance of supporting democracy, including high turnout and inclusive participation in the elections to the European Parliament. The session will also address key challenges around the next elections to the European Parliament, addressing topics such as elections’ integrity, disinformation, interference including by third countries and how technology has transformed the conduct of democratic processes.
Opening address by Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency
SPEAKERS:
- Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency
- María Lledó, Secretary General for the European Union, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
- Charles Goerens, Member of the European Parliament
- Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions (remotely)
- Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe
- Franziska Schweitzer, Young European voter
MODERATOR: Florence Ranson
María Lledó Laredo
Secretary General for the European Union
Biography
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Career diplomat (July 1999-PRESENT):
• December 2021-PRESENT. Secretary General for the European Union.
• September 2021-December 2021. Director General for the European Single Market and other EU Common Policies.
• August 2017-September 2021. Counsellor at the Spanish Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. In charge of Parliamentary Affairs and the Political and Security Committee.
• September 2015-August 2017. Deputy General Director for Cultural Promotion Abroad at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.
• August 2012-September 2015. Deputy Consul General in Bogotá, Colombia.
• April 2010-August 2012. Consul General in Algiers, Algeria.
• November 2007-April 2010. Counsellor at the Spanish Embassy in London, United Kingdom.
• June 2006-November 2007. Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for International Cooperation.
• December 2004-J une 2006. Advisory Member at the Spanish Foreign Minister´s Office
• August 2004-December 2004. Technical Advisor at the Spanish Foreign Minister´s Office.
• April 2000-August 2004. Embassy of Spain in Rabat, Morocco. First Secretary of the • Spanish Embassy.
• September 1999-April 2000. Head of Service for Coordination at the General Direction for Political Affairs and the United Nations.
• July 1999-September 1999. Head of Service for Consular Action at the General Direction of Legal and Consular Affairs.
EDUCATION
- Graduate in Economics at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
- Graduate in Political Science at Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
Organisation
Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
Speaker session
Opening session - Vote for the Future of Europe: free, fair and resilient elections to the European Parliament 2024
- Public web-streamed session
- Public web-streamed session
Topic: As the cornerstone of any democracy, free, fair and resilient elections are essential to preserve the confidence of citizens in the Union and its institutions, and in ensuring representation and accountability.
The European parliamentary elections in 2024 will enable citizens to shape, in the most direct way, the future of the Union for the next 5 years. They are organised by the 27 EU Member States and the European institutions working together, to include over 400 million voters and elect future MEPs from tens of thousands of candidates.
The opening session of the high-level event will discuss the importance of supporting democracy, including high turnout and inclusive participation in the elections to the European Parliament. The session will also address key challenges around the next elections to the European Parliament, addressing topics such as elections’ integrity, disinformation, interference including by third countries and how technology has transformed the conduct of democratic processes.
Opening address by Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency
SPEAKERS:
- Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency
- María Lledó, Secretary General for the European Union, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
- Charles Goerens, Member of the European Parliament
- Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions (remotely)
- Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe
- Franziska Schweitzer, Young European voter
MODERATOR: Florence Ranson
Karen Massin
Head Government Affairs & Public Policy - EU Institutions
Brussels
Biography
Organisation
Speaker session
Opening session - Vote for the Future of Europe: free, fair and resilient elections to the European Parliament 2024
- Public web-streamed session
- Public web-streamed session
Topic: As the cornerstone of any democracy, free, fair and resilient elections are essential to preserve the confidence of citizens in the Union and its institutions, and in ensuring representation and accountability.
The European parliamentary elections in 2024 will enable citizens to shape, in the most direct way, the future of the Union for the next 5 years. They are organised by the 27 EU Member States and the European institutions working together, to include over 400 million voters and elect future MEPs from tens of thousands of candidates.
The opening session of the high-level event will discuss the importance of supporting democracy, including high turnout and inclusive participation in the elections to the European Parliament. The session will also address key challenges around the next elections to the European Parliament, addressing topics such as elections’ integrity, disinformation, interference including by third countries and how technology has transformed the conduct of democratic processes.
Opening address by Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency
SPEAKERS:
- Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency
- María Lledó, Secretary General for the European Union, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
- Charles Goerens, Member of the European Parliament
- Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions (remotely)
- Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe
- Franziska Schweitzer, Young European voter
MODERATOR: Florence Ranson