Canberra, Wednesday 18 April 2001

New Europe Centre to be established at ANU

A new centre will be established at The Australian National University to study Europe and its people. Half the funding for the new centre is being provided as a gift from the European Union to the people of Australia

The Rt. Hon. Chris Patten, External Relations Commissioner of the European Commission and Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer will officiate at a tree planting ceremony near Old Canberra House, ANU on Thursday 19 April, 2001 to mark the announcement.

The States of the European Union have agreed to provide $4 million dollars, to be matched by the ANU to fund, construct and operate a National Europe Centre (NEC) at the Acton site. The joint contribution will go towards constructing a new building and a trust fund established by the Endowment for Excellence to cover the Centre's annual operating budget. The income will also support Visiting Fellows from Europe and elsewhere, plus a range of seminars, exhibitions and conferences.

A London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia) will be planted on Thursday afternoon to mark the establishment of the National Europe Centre. The tree is to symbolise the strength and growth of relations between the Peoples of Europe and The People of Australia on the occasion of The Centenary of Federation.

ANU Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb said, "The National Europe Centre will be an important addition to our national ability to understand current European agendas - and therefore questions about our dealings with the world's largest trading bloc, about reshaping political institutions, and about how Australia positions itself as a base for cultural and commercial activities that affect our relations with our neighbours in the region."

On Thursday evening, the annual Robert Schuman Lecture will also be presented by Mr Patten at The Hall, University House. The topic is "Sovereignty, Democracy and Constitutions - Finding the Right Formula."

What: Tree planting ceremony to mark the establishment of the National Europe Centre at the ANU

Where: Old Canberra House, Lennox Crossing, Acton, Canberra

When: 2:45pm, Thursday 19 April 2001

For further information contact:
John Gage, School of Economics, ANU on (02) 6125 3481 (w), (02) 6285 4353 (h)

Roger Camilleri, European Union Public Relations, (02) 6271 2744 or 0412 142 128 (mobile)

or Clarissa Thorpe, ANU Media Liaison 02 6125 5575 (work), 0416 249 245 (mobile)

No:35/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
Questions or Comments?

Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002