College of Europe - The Hansard Society

For the third consecutive year the College of Europe hosts the scholars of The Hansard Society on their annual study trip around continental Europe. 

The Hansard Society is a well established, independent educational charity, which brings together MPs, peers, academics, journalists, parliamentary staff, civil servants, business and industry, trade unions, corporate affairs managers, interest and lobby groups. All the people involved in the Hansard Society share an interest in the political process from across the political spectrum to promote effective parliamentary democracy. The Hansard Society was formed in 1944 to promote the ideals of parliamentary democracy and it has counted on the support of all Prime Ministers and Opposition Party Leaders ever since.

Participants

The participants who attend this seminar are undergraduate students from all over the world who are following a one-semester programme at the Hansard Society on the political system and current public policy issues in the United Kingdom. The Hansard Society offers them a highly practical education in cooperation with the London School of Economics (LSE).

Programme

During their visit to Bruges the participants attend a seminar on the key policies of the EU. The aim being to provide them with a thorough overview of the major EU areas of action: Economic and Monetary Union, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Enlargement and Justice and Home Affairs were the topics chosen for the 2004 edition.

This visit to the College constitutes the best prelude to the internship the students will carry out upon their return to the UK in the national headquarters of a political party or for one of the many other organisations and businesses, which drive forward the policy agenda in the UK and beyond. 

Facilities 

Participants in the Hansard Scholars’ programme also have access to the European Documentation Centre and Library of the College of Europe, one of the world’s largest information centres on the EU, where they can consult the collections, study, have full use of the computer room, and access to a wide range of electronic information resources and facilities.

Previous editions

• 2004: 2 – 3 June

• 2003: 4 – 6 June

• 2002: 5 – 7 June