European Parliament Passes Resolution on: Subject Matter in Question
During a special week, students from nine European universities affiliated with the Aurora network embarked on a journey to explore Europe's institutions and understand the role of education in shaping the continent's future.
The week was marked by personal encounters that made Europe tangible, as students immersed themselves in the heart of European politics, history, and culture. The students' active participation was instrumental in the week's success, demonstrating their engagement, critical perspective, and interest in shaping Europe.
Visits to the House of European History and the Parliamentarium and Experience Europe visitor centres provided insights into Europe's past and present, including its colonial history and the EU's external representation and communication of European concerns.
The week also offered students the opportunity to engage with key European institutions. They visited the European Parliament, European Commission, and Council of the European Union, where they gained insights into political decision-making processes and career paths in the EU.
Chiara Bellani from the European Commission provided valuable insights into EU research funding and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program. MEP Sophia Kircher discussed political decision-making processes over lunch, while André Rupprechter from the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union explained European negotiation dynamics.
Constanze Itzel and Bart Ouvry, directors of the House of European History and AfricaMuseum, facilitated discussions about Europe's memory culture. Students also had the opportunity to discuss the role of universities in European integration with Pim de Boer and Ramon Puras at the Holland House.
The Aurora network, which promotes cooperation among European universities to foster innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility in higher education, was highlighted as a valuable platform for transnational cooperation and shared progress. The international and interdisciplinary composition of the group, with students from all nine Aurora partner universities, fostered open and lively exchange.
These initiatives not only promote mobility but also actively contribute to building a connected, forward-looking European educational area. The special week was made possible by the support of Erasmus+ and the European Universities Initiative, underscoring the importance of such collaborative efforts in advancing European integration in higher education.
The excursion served as a living example of how shared visions can emerge from lived diversity, demonstrating the power of collaboration in shaping Europe's future. The students explored the present-day impacts of Europe's colonial past at the AfricaMuseum, further highlighting the network's commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of Europe's complex history.
In summary, the Aurora network is advancing European integration in higher education by building a connected community of universities that collaborate transnationally to innovate teaching, research, and social engagement, particularly in addressing global societal challenges. This approach not only benefits the students involved but also contributes to a more united, innovative, and socially responsible Europe.
- The students' visit to Chiara Bellani from the European Commission offered insights into EU research funding and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program, emphasizing the intersection of education-and-self-development and research.
- During their engagement with MEP Sophia Kircher, students gained valuable understanding about political decision-making processes, illuminating the role of politics in shaping Europe's future.
