European Summer School 2018 – "Europe in Transition: Exploring EU’s Futures" Report

The 16th annual European Summer School took place in July 2018 in Prague and we were happy to welcome students from 15 different countries. This year’s academic program was focused on exploring possible scenarios of the EU’s future developments.

During the intense ten day course, the students took part in 10 lectures, 2 workshops, 3 excursion and meetings with stakeholders, as well as in various leisure activities. The packed academic program was opened by Stefano Cavagnetto from Prague College, who engaged the students in a lively discussion on what constitutes a European identity and how its varying perceptions matter for European integration. This was followed by Tomáš Weiss (director of the Department of European studies, Charles University) and his lecture on EU security and defence policy. The students discussed whether there would be an EU army soon. The next lecture, delivered by Lucia Najšlová (Charles University), was focused on the ever-present topic of migration. She was followed by Michael Romancov (head of Geopolitical Studies, Charles University) who looked at the role of the EU in the changing geopolitical situation. Ivo Šlosarčík (director of European Integration Studies, Charles University) then discussed with the students the impending Brexit and its implication for the UK, as well as the EU. Stefano Cavagnetto and Lucie Rivera from Prague College then explored the scenarios for the future of the EU from an ethical perspective and engaged the students in a class activity where they designed their own pathways for the EU’s future development. The academic program was rounded off by Lucie Kadlecová (Charles University), who addressed the increasingly pressing topic of cyber security.

Apart from the lectures, the students could also test and improve their argumentation skills during a debating workshop led by Tereza Vicková. Apart from that, the students also took part in three excursions combined with discussions with interesting stakeholders. These included the visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and meeting with a Czech diplomat, excursion to the Czech Senate and meeting with senator Prof. Vácalv Hampl, and last but not least visit to the British Embassy in Prague and discussion with the deputy ambassador Gideon Dewhirst.

During the free time, various leisure activities were organised, including dragon boating, beach volleyball, Czech movie night and a trip to the world-famous Karlštejn castle and the nearby caves.

The summer school was organised in cooperation with our partners – Prague College and Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University – and under the auspices of the European Commission representation in the Czech Republic. We extend our deepest thanks for the ongoing cooperation and support!

For more information about the upcoming summer school program please visit our website essprague.eu.

Kateřina Davidová
Senior Research Fellow

Expertise: EU climate and energy policy, environmental protection