Rethinking Europe in a changing world

ongoing

The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, ReThinkEU – Rethinking Europe in a Changing World, aims to analyse and educate how EU policymaking in key areas—such as climate change, digitalisation, migration, and international stability—is being shaped by an increasingly competitive global landscape and disruptive technological advancements. To fulfil its mission, ReThinkEU pursues two overarching objectives. Firstly, the Institute for European Studies (IES) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will establish itself as a central hub for generating and disseminating knowledge on contemporary European governance challenges. This includes significantly expanding and refining the IES course offerings to better address current governance issues. Additionally, ReThinkEU will broaden EU studies across VUB to reach students who typically do not engage with EU-related subjects. To enhance interdisciplinary learning, ReThinkEU will strengthen collaboration through a dedicated PhD School focusing on European governance. The second key objective is to foster dialogue between academia, policymakers, and societal actors in Brussels, the heart of Europe. Public engagement efforts will include an annual High-Level Lecture Series on European governance; the co-organisation of a major international conference; and a new podcast series. Moreover, ReThinkEU will introduce an executive training programme for incoming diplomats from non-European countries newly assigned to Brussels. A targeted scholarship programme for Ukrainian students will equip them with expertise in EU governance, supporting Ukraine’s EU enlargement process. Overall, ReThinkEU will have a broad impact and extensive outreach, engaging diverse audiences. VUB will expand its teaching resources and implement innovative pedagogical strategies. Additionally, ReThinkEU will play a key role in equipping policymakers and EU officials with research-based insights, contributing to more informed and effective decision-making.