Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy (WEASA) 2024 edition concluded successfully

With the theme "Seeking Momentum: Embracing Euro-Atlantic Integration in Times of Crises", this year’s edition of WEASA aimed to bring participants from Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans to the College of Europe in Natolin to debate pressing issues related to European enlargement, security, and geopolitics. The goal was to exchange experiences and explore common solutions to advance Euro-Atlantic integration in the long term. Here is the WEASA 2024 programme.

Around 35 participants were selected on an extremely competitive basis from 12 countries, representing public administration, academia, civil society, and the media, to take part in an intensive 7-day summer academy.

We were honoured to welcome Mr Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Member of the European Parliament for Lithuania, as our keynote speaker. His address focused on revitalising Euro-Atlantic integration in challenging times, followed by a thought-provoking Q&A session.

Based on recommendations from our alumni, this year we included two sessions focused on Poland’s experience and lessons learned on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Ms Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA, Vice-Rector of the College of Europe, shared her hands-on experience in preparing Poland for EU integration. One of the key takeaways was her advice to transitioning countries: “Membership requires thorough preparation, and education is a crucial part of that. That’s why I’m here,” she concluded.

Mr Michał BARANOWSKI, Managing Director of the German Marshall Fund’s East Office, provided insights into NATO integration, discussing the necessary steps and unique challenges of the process.

Panel discussions are an indispensable part of WEASA, and this year was no exception. We held discussions on the future of European integration for Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans. In keeping with the evolving global order, the WEASA team introduced a panel on global security threats posed by emerging multipolar powers. The diverse expertise of the panellists sparked engaging Q&A sessions.

Security remains a core focus of WEASA. This year’s sessions covered personal security, OSINT tools, safeguarding elections, and included a fireside chat with Mr Dominik P. JANKOWSKI, Deputy Ambassador of Poland to NATO, who addressed NATO’s role in facing future global challenges.

The well-prepared participants played a vital role in enhancing the quality of the academy, not only through their contributions during sessions but also by leading discussions. They presented SWOT analyses on the status of their countries in relation to Euro-Atlantic integration. The highlight of this year’s academy was the Oxford debate on the motion: “There should be a Big Bang EU enlargement by 2030.” The debate showcased not only the participants' sharp intellect but also their impressive oratory skills.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners—the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and the German Marshall Fund of the United States—for their support, to our outstanding speakers who ignited lively discussions, our external evaluators, and, of course, to our incredible participants, who are now part of the WEASA family.

Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy (WEASA) is an annual summer school for mid-career professionals from the Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans, and Poland. Each year, the programme attracts a diverse range of policy analysts, experts, advisers, civil servants, NGO professionals, and journalists. WEASA is co-organised by the College of Europe in Natolin, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.