Remarks by Helen WALLACE (alumna of the College of Europe and a former visiting professor, and Chair of the Brunat Trustees)
This occasion celebrates 5 years of scholarships awarded by the Bruges-Natolin UK Scholarships Fund (Brunat) to UK-based candidates for study at the College of Europe. So far 16 scholarships have been awarded: 4 in the current year, and 3 in each of the previous 4 years. Two scholarships are named after very special individuals who played important parts in the relationship between the UK and the European Union: Sir Roy DENMAN; and Lord (George) THOMSON and his wife Grace. The generosity of their families is hugely appreciated. The other scholarships have been funded by donations from alumni of the College of Europe and other generous supporters.
The occasion brings together many alumni of the College from the UK who work in Brussels as well as other donors. It has been an opportunity to meet several Brunat scholars who have shared both their positive experiences of their year at the College and their burgeoning careers in European affairs. They and the other Brunat scholars based in the UK are making very important contributions to the relationship between the UK and the European Union in a period when the Brexit debate makes it vital to strengthen the pool of UK expertise in European affairs. The valuable investment made by Brunat and its donors in these young people is beyond question.
The Brunat fund was set up to gather philanthropic donations when the British Government withdrew scholarship funding for ordinary students from England, while introducing scholarships for serving civil servants. The Scottish Government continues to fund scholarships for students from Scotland. Sadly the Northern Ireland Office and the Welsh Government no longer do. Brunat is run by volunteers as a team effort. Its continued success depends on the continuing generosity of alumni and other friends. For alumni this represents a joint effort to enable successor generations of students to enjoy the same experience and career success as they themselves enjoyed.
For more information regarding contributions: Bruges-Natolin UK-European Scholarships Fund
This reception was held at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer thanks to Andrew RENSHAW, himself an alumnus of the College, Mme de Staël Promotion (1984-1985).