European Summer Course 2025

It was a week full of thought-provoking conversations, hands-on simulations, and engaging workshops on human rights, war and conflict resolution, Artificial Intelligence, and the EU as a global actor — mixed with moments of intercultural exchange, shared laughter, and new friendships. This was our European Summer Course 2025.

Under the theme “#NextGenEU: The EU as a Global Actor for Integration, Equality and Engagement”, young people from 20 different nationalities came together to explore how they envision their future in terms of technology, human rights, and politics. Their creativity and collaborative spirit shone through during the final creative projects, as this music video on the future of the EU as a global actor shows.

The week’s discussions tackled pressing questions such as: Should access to the internet be considered a human right? and How do we move from managing conflicts to truly solving them? In one simulation, participants worked on conflict resolution in the Middle East, concluding with the memorable “quote of the week”: “One more minute for world peace!”

Beyond the seminar rooms of the EAO, participants discovered the Saarland region and its surroundings through excursions to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the historic cities of Trier and Saarbrücken, and the impressive Völklingen Ironworks — blending academic learning with cultural discovery.

A hallmark of the ESC is its diversity. With participants from 20 countries and a wide range of backgrounds, every topic was examined from multiple perspectives, creating a uniquely rich learning environment. To help navigate this intercultural setting, a workshop on intercultural communication encouraged participants to recognize differences, remain curious, and approach one another with empathy.

The European Summer Course 2025 was more than just a seminar, it was a shared journey of learning, debate, and connection, offering a glimpse into the inclusive, collaborative future these young people are ready to shape.

Jana Roxanne Paar, Tom Kurzyca