The State of the Union Conference, organised by the European University Institute, is an annual event for reflection on the European Union and is a reference point in the in the EU agenda for policy – makers, civil society representatives, business and opinion leaders, and academics. This is the conference’s 5th edition, and is currently in progress in Florence until May 9.

It is discussing four main topics, all confronting the future of Europe. These are the establishment of the Alcide De Gasperi Research Centre, Europe's place in the world, a new Schuman Declaration for the 21st century, and the impact of surveillance in Europe.

Alternate Minister for Administrative Reforms and Electronic Governance George Katrougalos is speaking at  the conference on e-government, and he is also participating in a panel discussion today on Privacy by Design and its Alternatives. The event is streamed live.

See also: State of the Union Programme