European Summer Course
European Summer Course 2026: “Resilience, Sustainability and Challenging Global Crisis – Exploring Law, Policy and Governance”
From 13 to 22 July 2026, the European Summer Course 2026 took place under the theme “Resilience, Sustainability and Challenging Global Crises – Exploring Law, Policy and Governance” at the European Academy Otzenhausen and the Europa-Institut of Saarland University.
The Summer Course addressed a broad range of current political, legal and economic challenges facing the European Union and the international community. It was organized by the Europa-Institut in cooperation with the European Academy Otzenhausen, the ASKO Europa-Stiftung, and the trans-European higher education alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU).
A total of 29 participants from across the world took part in the programme, representing countries including Canada, the United States, Uzbekistan, North Macedonia, Scotland, Italy, Poland, France, Spain and Bulgaria, among others. The international and interdisciplinary composition of the group fostered lively discussions and valuable intercultural exchange.
15 participants received financial support through Transform4Europe (T4EU), while one participant was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
During the ten-day programme, participants explored key topics related to European integration, global governance, sustainability and resilience. The academic programme combined expert lectures, workshops, simulations and interactive discussions led by renowned scholars and practitioners.
The agenda included:
- An introduction to European integration, EU institutions and decision-making processes, including a simulation of EU policymaking.
- An excursion to Strasbourg, featuring visits to the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.
- Discussions on global crises, international law, human rights, security and migration.
- An excursion to Trier and Schengen, exploring the historical and political foundations of European cooperation.
- Workshops on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainable development.
- Lectures on the European Union as a global actor, Germany as a place to study and work, and the EU Raw Materials Policy.
- A concluding workshop on building personal resilience, enabling participants to reflect on how resilience can be fostered in academic and professional contexts.
The final three days of the Summer Course were held on the campus of Saarland University in Saarbrücken, where participants engaged with experts from the Europa-Institut and gained further insights into contemporary European policy challenges.
Beyond the academic programme, participants enjoyed a variety of cultural and networking activities, strengthening international friendships and promoting intercultural understanding.
The European Summer Course 2026 once again demonstrated the importance of international dialogue and interdisciplinary learning in addressing the complex challenges facing Europe and the world today.
I would say that participating in the ESC was a very enlightening and enriching experience that I would advise anyone interested in Europe to participate in.
Ada Igah Nkanga
The ESC represents a good opportunity to explore the challenges that Europe faces and the possible solutions that us, as a coming generation of leaders, are going to implement and use to solve these challenges.
Pietro Arrigoni
The thing I liked the most about the ESC of 2026 was the oppotrunity to meet new people in the very private and cozy academy of Otzenhausen and I think that the community we established here is going to be a memory that I'll keep in my heart for many years.
Aleksandra Rudolf
I decided to partake in the ESC this year to get a better understanding of European policy and the events in which it has the EU on a global and continental scale. My hope is to take a lot of this experience further into my studies. Overall I've had an amazing experience.
Matthew Rene Luciani
Gefördert durch den Internationalisierungsfonds der Universität des Saarlandes.