ZEW Lunch Debates
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ZEW Lunch Debates

ZEW Lunch Debates

We are delighted that our ZEW Lunch Debates have become a permanent fixture in the calendar of events in Brussels, the capital of Europe. Launched in 2014, the series focuses on the major challenges facing the European Union.

At this event series, ZEW researchers present their own ideas and policy recommendations, which is followed by an intense discussion about their findings and proposals with EU decision-makers, and Brussels-based experts. Audience participation in the debates is warmly encouraged.

Taking place in the European quarter of Brussels at lunch time, the 90-minute events are aimed at staff of EU institutions, as well as representatives from the realms of business, the media, non-governmental organisations, and academia.

Participation is free and by invitation.

If you are interested in attending, please write us at lunchdebates@zew.de

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Implementing the AI Act: How to Assess Generative Artificial Intelligence? (24.04.2024)

Image opens in enlarged view Photo of Organisers and participants of the Lunch Debate, from left to right: Bodo Lehmann (Head of the State Representation), Dr. Daniela Heimberger (Head of International Affairs and Public Relations at ZEW), Kilian Gross (European Commission), Dr. Dominik Rehse (ZEW researcher), Claudia von Schuttenbach (ZEW Commercial Director), Luca Bertuzzi (freelance tech journalist), Olga Nowicka (OpenAI).
Organisers and participants of the Lunch Debate, from left to right: Bodo Lehmann, Dr. Daniela Heimberger, Kilian Gross, Dr. Dominik Rehse, Claudia von Schuttenbach, Luca Bertuzzi, Olga Nowicka. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Participants of the panel discussion on stage (from left): Dr Dominik Rehse (ZEW), Kilian Gross (European Commission) and Olga Nowicka (OpenAI), moderated by Luca Bertuzzi.
Participating in the panel discussion (from left): Dr Dominik Rehse (ZEW), Kilian Gross (European Commission) and Olga Nowicka (OpenAI), moderated by Luca Bertuzzi. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Bodo Lehmann is on stage and welcomes the guests and participants of the Lunch Debate.
Bodo Lehmann welcomes the guests and participants of the Lunch Debate. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Dominik Rehse on stage during his presentation.
Dominik Rehse presents the Red Teaming concept. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Olga Nowicka from OpenAI during the discussion.
Olga Nowicka (OpenAI) © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view ZEW economist Dominik Rehse during the discussion.
Dominik Rehse (ZEW) © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Kilian Gross from the European Commission during the discussion
Kilian Gross (European Commission) © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Participats of the panel discussion on stage (from left): Dr Dominik Rehse (ZEW), Kilian Gross (European Commission) and Olga Nowicka (OpenAI), moderated by Luca Bertuzzi.
Participating in the panel discussion (from left): Dr Dominik Rehse (ZEW), Kilian Gross (European Commission) and Olga Nowicka (OpenAI), moderated by Luca Bertuzzi. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Dominik Rehse is on stage. He presents his research.
Dominik Rehse presents the Red Teaming concept. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Moderator Luca Bertuzzi (r.) in conversation at the welcome reception.
Moderator Luca Bertuzzi (r.) in conversation at the welcome reception. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view People standing together. They are talking.
The Lunch Debate also provided time for discussions and dialogue between science and politics. © Philippe Veldemann
Picture gallery at Flickr
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Evaluating EU Cohesion Policy: What Do We Really Know? (18.10.2023)

Image opens in enlarged view The panel speakers before a presentation at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
The panel speakers of the ZEW Lunch Debate on 18 October 2023 in Brussels. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Bodo Lehmann, Head of the State Representation of Baden-Württemberg welcomes the guests to the ZEW Lunch Debate.
Bodo Lehmann (Head of the State Representation of Baden-Württemberg) welcomes to the ZEW Lunch Debate. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Dr. Zareh Asatryan during his presentation at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
Dr. Zareh Asatryan giving a keynote speech. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Professor Lewis Dijkstra in a discussion with Professor Friedrich Heinemann at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
Lewis Dijkstra, PhD discusses with Professor Friedrich Heinemann. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Alison Hunter at the microphone of her presentation at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
Alison Hunter at the panel discussion during the ZEW Lunch Debate on 18 October 2023. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Dirk Kranen with microphone in his hand during his presentation at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
Dirk Kranen, Federal Ministry of Finance, at the ZEW Lunch Debate. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view Stef Blok during his presentation on the podium at the ZEW Lunch Debate in Brussels.
Stef Blok of the European Court of Auditors on the podium at the ZEW Lunch Debate in Brussels. © Philippe Veldemann
Image opens in enlarged view The panel speakers before a presentation at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
The panel speakers during the discussion at the ZEW Lunch Debate in Brussels. © Philippe Veldemann
Picture gallery at Flickr
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Immigration and Its Impacts on EU Labour Markets (18.04.2023)

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Dr. Katrin Sommerfeld during her lecture. © Philippe Veldeman
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Bodo Lehmann (Head of the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the European Union) welcomes the guests to the Lunch Debate. © Philippe Veldeman
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Dr. Katrin Sommerfeld (ZEW), Barbara Surdykowska (Solidarność), Ben Butters (CEO Eurochambres), Barbara Kauffmann (DG EMPL, Director Employment) and Professor Dr. Nicolas Ziebarth (ZEW) [from left to right] © Philippe Veldeman
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Barbara Kauffmann (DG EMPL, Director Employment) presents EU programmes on labour market integration. © Philippe Veldeman
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Ben Butters (CEO Eurochambres) wants prospects of staying so that labour market integration succeeds. © Philippe Veldeman
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Barbara Surdykowska (Solidarność) represents the interests of employees. © Philippe Veldeman
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Moderator Professor Dr. Nicolas Ziebarth, head of ZEW’s Research Unit “Labour Markets and Social Insurance” © Philippe Veldeman
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An interested listener asks a question. © Philippe Veldeman
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Close-up of the invitation with blurred audience in the background. © Philippe Veldeman
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A guest takes a photo of Dr. Katrin Sommerfeld's lecture. © Philippe Veldeman
Picture gallery at Flickr
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Public Support and EU Institutional Reform: What Is the Right Way to Go? (20.02.2020)

Image opens in enlarged view Numerous guests participated in the ZEW Lunch Debate and the subsequent panel discussion.
The podium at the ZEW Lunch Debate in the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the European Union featured ZEW economist Professor Friedrich Heinemann, moderator Jennifer Rankin, political scientist Professor König, and ...
Image opens in enlarged view Marcel Haag from the European Commission in conversation with Dr. Daniela Heimberger, head of the ZEW Service Department “International Co-operation and Public Relations”.
Marcel Haag from the European Commission in conversation with Dr. Daniela Heimberger, head of the ZEW Service Department “International Co-operation and Public Relations”. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view The three panellists, Professor Thomas König, Marcel Haag, and Professor Friedrich Heinemann at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
The three panellists, Professor Thomas König, Marcel Haag, and Professor Friedrich Heinemann. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view From left: Professor Friedrich Heinemann, Eyke Peveling (deputy head of the State Representation of Baden-Württemberg), Jennifer Rankin, Professor Thomas König, Marcel Haag.
From left: Professor Friedrich Heinemann, Eyke Peveling (deputy head of the State Representation of Baden-Württemberg), Jennifer Rankin, Professor Thomas König, Marcel Haag. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view Eyke Peveling welcoming the guests on behalf of the Baden-Württemberg State Representation in Brussels.
Eyke Peveling welcoming the guests on behalf of the Baden-Württemberg State Representation in Brussels. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view Numerous guests participated in the ZEW Lunch Debate and the subsequent panel discussion.
Political scientist Professor Thomas König from the University of Mannheim and the Collaborative Research Center for Political Economy of Reforms presenting the results of his recent study on the citizens’ acceptance of the EU institutional ...
Image opens in enlarged view Jennifer Rankin, Brussels correspondent for The Guardian, moderated the debate at ZEW.
Jennifer Rankin, Brussels correspondent for The Guardian, moderated the debate. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view Marcel Haag during the lunch debate at ZEW.
Marcel Haag from the European Commission emphasised that the EU is also legitimised by the added value it offers its citizens. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view Prof. Dr. Friedrich Heinemann at the ZEW Lunch Debate.
Professor Friedrich Heinemann, head of the “Corporate Taxation and Public Finance” Research Department at ZEW, proposed transnational lists for the European Parliament. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view Numerous guests participated in the ZEW Lunch Debate and the subsequent panel discussion.
Approximately 70 guests from the realms of politics and science followed the keynote speech and the subsequent panel discussion. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view Professor Thomas König called for more transparency of the European institutions.
Professor Thomas König called for more transparency of the European institutions. © Philippe Veldeman
Image opens in enlarged view During the ZEW Lunch Debate, questions from the audience were also asked and answered.
The panellists also answered questions from the audience. © Philippe Veldeman
Picture gallery at Flickr
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