Student Societies invite high-level speakers to virtually liven up their national weeks

Over the past weeks, different student societies of our Bruges campus organized a wide range of activities in the framework of the national weeks.  The national weeks have been a tradition at the College of Europe for at least thirty years and create the opportunity during these inspiring weeks for students to share their national culture(s) with their College friends. National weeks therefore reflect the diversity of the cultural traditions at the College of Europe. Despite the COVID restrictions, our student teams were able to invite several distinguished speakers to virtually liven up their special week.   On Friday 2 AprilThe French Society organized a high-level conference with CoE alumnus Clément BEAUNE (2004-2005 Montesquieu Promotion), Secretary of State to the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, responsible for European Affairs. The students had the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about interesting topics such as the place and influence of France in the European Union, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the upcoming French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 January 2022-30 June 2022).  

 

The Hispanic Society hosted an online conversation with Nadia CALVIÑO, Vice-President and Minister of Economy of Spain, on Friday 23 April, to discuss the Next Generation EU Instrument, its funding, as well as its implementation through national recovery and resilience plans. Ms Calviño made a brief presentation and took the time to answer questions from the students in an interactive format.  

 

 

 

Last week, on Thursday 29 April, the Benelux Society of our Bruges campus had the honour of welcoming Jean-Claude JUNCKER, former President of the European Commission, for an insightful look behind the scenes of his Commission presidency. Mr JUNCKER was welcomed by his former colleague Rector Federica MOGHERINI and discussed his personal experiences, successes, challenges and perspectives on the European Union.