Opening Ceremony of the Victoria Amelina Promotion 2025/2026, Bruges campus

On Monday, 27 October, 2025, we officially opened the 2025-2026 academic year at our Bruges campus with a ceremony that marked the beginning of a new chapter for the students of the Victoria Amelina Promotion and the participants of both the European Union Diplomatic Academy and the European Union Diplomatic Programme for the Enlargement Region.

We were pleased to welcome Ms Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, as our keynote speaker for this special occasion.

Mr Dirk DE FAUW, Mayor of Bruges, Mr Herman VAN ROMPUY, President of the Administrative Council of the College of Europe, Rector Federica MOGHERINI, Vice-Rector Ewa OSNIECKA-TAMECKA, diplomats Michael JEREMY DEBATTISTA and Valeriia SHARAPOVA, as well as Students’ Representatives Anežka CAJTHAMLOVÁ, Liam BOYCE, and Nicolás FERNÁNDEZ DE BOBADILLA ALBERT, also took the stage to share their insights and welcome the new cohort of students and young diplomats.

In a powerful address, Ms Kallas paid tribute to the Ukrainian writer and human rights defender Victoria Amelina — after whom this year’s promotion is named — celebrating her courage, moral strenght, and unwavering commitment to justice. “The key to lasting peace is the law,” she reminded our community. “Amelina knew this. The European Union has always stood for the idea that international law, not violence, should govern the fate of countries and their people.”

Touching on the importance of defending and advancing international law in an increasingly complex world, Ms Kallas encouraged our students to use their knowledge, curiosity, and conviction to contribute to a stronger and more united Europe. “Be creative, innovative, and responsive to new challenges. Define your aim, find allies, and make it happen — or, to quote Taylor Swift, pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes.”

Her address set the tone for the year ahead — a year to build together the Europe we believe in!

Speeches 

Keynote speech by HR/VP Kaja KALLAS

Watch the full ceremony

Photos of the Event