IE University and the European Parliament launch first-of-its-kind seminar on EU affairs

IE University has become the first European university to launch an advanced seminar on EU affairs in collaboration with the European Parliament. “Decoding Europe: Integration and Strategic Autonomy in Times of Global Change” was open to all IE University students and brought together participants from 20 nationalities.

Held across five sessions between February 16th and 24th, the seminar examined the European integration project through historical, institutional and policy lenses. It addressed issues including the green and digital transitions, competitiveness, foreign and security policy and the EU’s evolving role in the global order. Through lectures, group discussions and case studies, participants developed the analytical tools to critically assess these developments and understand the EU’s relationship with key global actors.

The program was led by four distinguished faculty members: Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs and the former prime minister of Italy; Catherine de Vries, Vice Dean of the same school and head of the Politics and International Relationships department; María Andrés Marín, head of the European Parliament Office in Spain; and Ilke Toygür, director of the IE University Global Policy Center.

For Toygür, the initiative reflects a deeper institutional commitment. “We want to empower our students with a critical understanding of European affairs, the EU’s role in the world and a better understanding of the geopolitics of Europe,” she said.

The seminar concluded on March 18th with a closing ceremony titled “Harmonising European power: strategic autonomy, the Single Market and global partnerships in a fragmented world,” hosted by the Global Policy Center.

The session brought together Javi López, vice-president of the European Parliament, Enrico Letta and María Andrés Marín, and was moderated by Ilke Toygür. Discussions ranged from trade policy and the EU–Mercosur agreement to Europe’s relationship with the US, China and India. Participating students were awarded diplomas at the close of the ceremony.

The seminar reflects IE University’s ongoing commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders to engage critically with the forces shaping Europe’s future. It is one of a range of initiatives through which IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs brings together leading policymakers, academics and students to tackle the most complex challenges facing the EU and the wider global order.