The 8th Meeting of the European Affairs Societies Network welcomes EVP Roxana Minzatu

Hosted by University College London and the University of Westminster, the 8th meeting of the European Affairs Societies Network was held on the 26th of March - becoming the Network's largest gathering since it was launched two and a half years ago - also at UCL! 

EUD

Jaime de Villota, Head of Citizens, Social, Justice and Home Affairs at the EU Delegation, welcomed everyone and thanked all those who had made the Network meeting possible, including Dr. Uta Staiger and Dr. Claudia Sternberg (UCL European Institute); Prof Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability at and Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén, University of Westminster. He also warmly thanked the three hosting societies: the Westminster University European Institute,UCL European Affairs Societies, UCL EISPS and and in particular Amber Ella, Emilia Dunn, Gemma Ghiandoni and all the volunteers. 

Participants split into five different working groups focused on: Support for Observers and Newer Societies, Development of the Friends of the Network, Publishing and Research, Network Alumni, and  Social Media and Communications. Discussions were light, and engagement ran deep with society representatives sharing their experience and insight. 

EUD

The group then walked to the University of Westminster's Pavilion for the closed segment, co-chaired by Jaime de Villota and Amber Ella, President of the student-led Westminster European Affairs Institute. Two new members, Edge Hill University and London Metropolitan University officially joined the Network.

The tour de table showed the energy and initiative of the network. For example, LSE has launched an EU-focused think tank. Goldsmiths took students to the European Parliament in January and is planning an overnight UN visit in Geneva. The University of Sheffield found that running social events first brought students in who then joined more academic activities, boosting membership considerably. The University of Liverpool is working in partnership with a new Young European Movement chapter. The University of Manchester, with a multicultural committee and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence as academic partner, is planning a student summit and is in early discussions with the Consulate General of Romania.

Guest speakers during the plenary included Fabia Jones from the European Parliament Liaison Office, Alfred Quantrill, President of the Young European Movement UK, Jude Waites of ESN Europe and Amira Campbell, President of the National Union of Students. They told the Network of their respective institution or organisation updating everyone on what to expect in the upcoming year. 

EUD

EU Ambassador Pedro Serrano introduced Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu who had a lively discussion with the Network members and thanked them for the work they do building bridges between the EU and the UK.

UCL Keynote Speech 

At UCL, EVP Mînzatu delivered a keynote address, moderated by Geraint Rees, Vice-Provost for Research, Innovation and Global Engagement. She spoke about the EU-UK relationship and, in particular, about Erasmus.

EUD

"Erasmus is the most powerful tool through which we built our Union. It should be a right for every young European citizen."

EVP Roxana Minzatu

The argument was simple: every young person in the European Union should have the chance to experience life in another country at least once and Erasmus is the vehicle for that.

EVP Mînzatu, explained how Erasmus+ is about opportunities for all, not only for Higher Education students, but also for those taking Further Education, apprentices, adult learners, youth organizations and schools.

A milestone for the EASN

An European Commission Vice-President addressing the Network reflects what the Network has become, a forum that European institutions really value for what students are making of it..

After an insightful conversation with the participants, EVP Roxana Mînzatu closed the evening with a reception at Portland Hall, University of Westminster. 

The next meeting of the Network will be announced soon and remember if you are interested in setting up an European Affairs society at your own University, don’t hesitate to contact the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom to find out how.

Please check out all about the early days of the EASN and our previous meetings here.