The 2019 Schuman Lecture will be delivered by Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC, ANU Chancellor.

The director of the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote recently that Europe could become either 'a co-equal power in a tripolar world' - or 'roadkill in a Sino-American game of chicken'. How well Europe's major players address, collectively and individually, their current serious political, security, economic and social challenges, does have global implications, including for Australia. In this year's Schuman Lecture, Gareth Evans will argue it is very much in the general interest that Europe not continue to punch geopolitically below its global weight.

The Robert Schuman Lecture series celebrates the remarkable achievements of European integration since its modest beginnings in the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, announced in a declaration by French Foreign Minister Schuman. The Australian National University has recognised this achievement and foresight by coordinating the annual Schuman Lecture since 1996. The first lecture was delivered by Lord Leon Brittan, the then Vice President of the European Commission. Since then, the ANCUES has coordinated annual Schuman Lectures by distinguished speakers, including The Right Honourable Chris Patten CH, Commissioner for External Relations, The Right Honourable Alexander Downer, Justice Michael Kirby of the Australian High Court, Dr Cecilia Malmström European Union Commissioner for Trade and Mr Peter Varghese AO former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Cocktail reception to follow. Be sure to register fast.