Yesterday, I attended a conference organised by the European Commission in Brussels. It was called, somewhat optimistically, 'Mission Growth, Europe at the lead of the New Industrial Revolution'.
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso addresses the crowd at 'Mission Growth'
Alongside the tales of hope reeled off by the speakers – some of whom, like the economist Jeremy Rifkin, were inspiring; others, less so – there was an unofficial narrative taking place between the journalists from across the EU in attendance about the future of the Eurozone. “Is Greece about leave? And, if so, will the whole thing collapse?” we fretted to each other during coffee breaks.
As I mused, later in the day, on how to angle an article about the conference towards something that might be relevant to lawyers, I started to reflect on how a Eurozone collapse – or the alternative, greater integration – might affect wannabe solicitors and barristers. And how could they best position themselves to deal with an incredibly uncertain, and scary, future for Europe?