For several years Pascal Goergen, GPM’s Director, has been a strong advocate of the regional dimension of Europe. Regionalisation and other processes of decentralization are, in his view, the right way to bring citizens closer to Europe. But there is still a long way to go…
His vision is a vision of Europe with its regions and with its regional actors. Every region has its own potential and specific characteristics, on the basis of which a strategic regional development plan can be established, which allows for cooperation, exchange and partnership with other regions and with all the regional growth actors.  This is something he actively worked out as AER Secretary General between 2010 and 2014 and from 2015 as FEDRA’s Secretary General.

A Europe of regions de facto excludes other players. Europe and the world have evolved. We live in a multi-polar world where a number of new stakeholders and actors play an important role. The role of regions in this debate needs to be defended, and every day Pascal Goergen defend these interests. Within GPM he analyses the European Commission proposals from a regional perspective and certain issues never cease to raise his concern. For instance, imagining European economic governance without involving the regions will never allow for successful implementation. A stronger multi-level governance approach is needed, and a greater role for regional authorities in the European decision-making process needs to be further clarified.  Pascal Goergen: “These are the objectives I pursue both in my professional career at FEDRA and GPM and as an author and public speaker“