On 22 September 2022, the City of Brussels, in collaboration with the College of Europe, organized a high-level event with the participation of Mayor Philippe CLOSE, Rector Federica MOGHERINI, and – as the evening’s keynote speaker – Mr Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and College alumnus.
The event gathered more than 240 alumni from the Bruges and Natolin campus as well as 40 participants of the pilot programme of the European Diplomatic Academy in the City Hall of Brussels at Grand Place.
The evening started with guided tours of the old town offered by the City of Brussels. The event’s main programme in the Salle Gothique was centered around the bilingual (FR/EN) keynote speech of Mr Margaritis SCHINAS, entitled "Promoting our European way of life amidst new geopolitical reality".
Beyond the engagement with the event’s topic in the following Q&A section, Rector MOGHERINI and the Mayor CLOSE, emphasised the importance of strengthening the links between the College community and the City of Brussels. A generous reception in the City Hall’s Salle des Mariages rounded off the evening for all participants.
Federica MOGHERINI: "The College of Europe is more than grateful to the City of Brussels – and, in particular, Bourgmestre Close and his team – for making such an extraordinary evening possible. Gathering our community in the magnificent City Hall at Grand-Place is a wonderful opportunity to connect – Brussels breathes and promotes the European way of life."
