A Summer School at the Heart of Europe’s Challenges

This year’s program kicked off with an introduction to EU values through the brand-new AI Act—a bold attempt to regulate an emerging technology at the center of global debate. It then turned to the 2024 European elections, explored as a mirror of the continent’s political space, before tackling the Union’s ability to balance its values with its strategic interests on the international stage.

A Research Workshop putting students’ knowledge to the test

One of the highlights was the Wednesday research workshop, where participants experimented with academic methods while examining how democratic values are actually implemented within EU institutions. In the following days, the scope widened to include the private sector’s role in global governance and climate finance, debates on the EU’s strategic autonomy in times of crisis, and historical as well as political perspectives on Europe’s policy choices.

From Theory to Practice: Podcasts and Policy Briefs

The Summer School wrapped up with hands-on communication workshops, including podcast creation and policy brief writing. The goal was clear: helping participants translate academic expertise into accessible, impactful tools for policymakers and the wider public.