IE University becomes first in Europe to launch an advanced seminar on EU Affairs with the European Parliament

IE University has become the first European university to launch an Advanced Seminar on EU Affairs with the European Parliament. Focused on "Decoding Europe: Integration and Strategic Autonomy in Times of Global Change" and open to all IE University students, the program was led by Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs; Catherine de Vries, Vice Dean of the same school and Chair of the Politics and International Relations Area at IE University; María de Andrés, Head of the European Parliament Office in Spain; and Ilke Toygür, Director of IE University Global Policy Center.

The course examined the European integration project from historical, institutional, and policy perspectives, while addressing contemporary debates on competitiveness, foreign and security policy, and the EU’s role in the global order. As Europe navigates the challenges of green and digital transitions, geopolitical shifts, and internal transformations, the course equips students with the analytical tools to critically assess these developments through lectures, group discussions, and case studies.

"Educating the next generation of European leaders is our priority. We have the capabilities, the faculty, and the research needed to train future managers and policymakers who can strengthen European integration and make it prosperous, competitive, and inclusive," said Borja Santos, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs. "Our Master in Public Policy offers a dedicated specialization in the European Union, combining rigorous academic training with hands-on professional experiences."

According to Ilke Toygür, "this demonstrates our commitment to integrating European affairs into our programs and research. 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". 

"The collaboration between the European Parliament Office in Spain and IE University marks an important step in bringing the European Union closer to students who, in fields such as business, health or technology, now enrich their education with a deep understanding of its institutions, policies and decision-making processes," added María Andrés Marin. "Yet these are precisely the professionals whose future careers will be shaped by the impact of EU legislation and policy".

"This pioneering seminar goes beyond explaining how the European Union works; it places it within today’s geopolitical context, defined by the need to advance in strategic autonomy, the green and digital transitions, and economic security. Our ambition is clear: to make this initiative the starting point of a model that can be replicated across universities in Spain, ensuring that more young people understand that Europe is not a distant concept, but the framework in which their future will be built," she continued.

The seminar concluded with a closing ceremony on Harmonising European power: strategic autonomy, the Single Market and global partnerships in a fragmented world. The event featured Javi López, Vice-President of the European Parliament, alongside Enrico Letta and Maria Andrés Marín. The session was moderated by Ilke Toygür and concluded with the awarding of diplomas to participating students.