College of Europe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
College of Europe

Europacollege Collège d’Europe Kolegium Europejskie
Type	Private postgraduate institute Établissement d'utilité publique
Established	1949 (1949)
Chairman	Herman Van Rompuy
Rector	Federica Mogherini
Postgraduates	annually ca. 470 students from over 50 countries
Location	Bruges, Belgium Warsaw, Poland Tirana, Albania
Working languages	English and French

The College of Europe is a special university for students who have already finished their first degree. It focuses on European studies, helping students learn all about Europe. It has three main campuses: one in Bruges, Belgium, another in Warsaw, Poland, and a new one in Tirana, Albania.

The first campus in Bruges was started in 1949. Important European leaders like Winston Churchill and Paul-Henri Spaak helped create it. Their goal was to train young people to work together for a peaceful and united Europe. They wanted to build "a spirit of solidarity and mutual understanding" after World War II.

The College of Europe is closely connected to the history of the European Union. Many of its graduates become diplomats or work in important roles within European institutions. Federica Mogherini, a former top EU official, is the current Rector. Herman Van Rompuy, who used to lead the European Council, is the chairman of the board.

Each school year at the College is named after a famous person. This is called a "promotion." The year often starts with a speech from a leading European politician. Famous alumni include former Prime Ministers Helle Thorning-Schmidt (Denmark) and Alexander Stubb (Finland).

History of the College of Europe

The College of Europe was the first university of its kind. It offered special studies and training in European affairs after students had completed their first university degree. It was founded in 1949 by important European figures. These included Salvador de Madariaga, Winston Churchill, Paul-Henri Spaak, and Alcide De Gasperi.

Why the College was Created

The idea for the College came from the Congress of Europe in 1948. At this meeting, leaders discussed how to unite Europe after World War II. Salvador de Madariaga, a Spanish statesman, strongly believed in creating a place where students from different European countries could study together. He thought this would help heal the wounds of the war.

The Hague Congress in 1948, where the idea for the College was discussed.

Salvador de Madariaga, who strongly supported creating the College.

A group of people from Bruges helped bring the College to their city. Professor Hendrik Brugmans, a key thinker in the European movement, became its first Rector (leader) in 1950. The very first group of students studied "Teaching history and the development of a European spirit in universities."

For many years, students lived in the Navarra Hotel in Bruges. The College became known for its studies on the new European Communities, which were the early versions of the European Union.

Margaret Thatcher's Bruges Speech

Margaret Thatcher, who gave a famous speech at the College.

In 1988, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher gave a famous speech at the College of Europe. This speech is known as the Bruges speech. In it, she shared her ideas for Europe. She believed the European Community should mainly be about trade and money. She did not want a closer political union or a "European superstate."

Many people saw her speech as a challenge to the idea of a more united Europe. It became a key moment for the "Eurosceptic" movement. This movement eventually led to Brexit, where the UK left the European Union.

After the Cold War

After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, a second campus of the College opened in Natolin (Warsaw), Poland, in 1992. This was supported by the European Commission and the Polish government. The goal was to train young students from Eastern European countries as they joined the wider European community.

Since then, the College operates as "one College – two campuses." The spirit of cooperation and understanding that started in Bruges now extends to both locations. In 2012, the College of Europe became a supporting member of the European Movement International. This group promotes European cooperation.

In 2015, Alexander Stubb, a former Finnish Prime Minister and College alumnus, was invited to speak at the opening ceremony. This was a special honor. In 2020, Federica Mogherini, a former high-ranking EU official, became the Rector. She is the first top political figure from the European Commission to hold this role.

College Campuses

The College of Europe has campuses in Bruges, Belgium, and Natolin (Warsaw), Poland. A new campus in Albania was announced in 2023.

Bruges Campus

The Paul Henri Spaak Building, a main building at the Bruges campus.

The Bruges campus has been in the city center since 1949. Bruges is in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. However, the College uses English and French as its main languages.

The College has several student residences around Bruges. Each residence is home to a smaller group of students, usually no more than 60. This helps create a diverse and friendly environment.

Here are some of the main buildings on the Bruges campus:

Dijver Buildings

The Paul Henri Spaak Building, also called Dijver, is the main office building for the College in Bruges. It has the reception area, offices, classrooms, and the library. It is located by the Dijver Canal. The building has a classic front and a garden in the back. Students often relax in the garden during breaks. Pictures of all the guest speakers who opened the academic years hang in the main hallway.

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands laying the first stone of the library in 1965.

The College library was built in 1965. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands (who later became Queen) helped lay the first stone. The library was updated and made bigger in 1992. Most of its books are about European studies, law, economics, and politics. Only College students and staff can use the library. A statue of Salvador de Madariaga, one of the College's founders, stands in the main reading room.

Verversdijk Buildings

As more students joined the College, the 17th-century Verversdijk buildings were renovated. This added more classrooms, lecture halls, and offices for teachers and staff. The renovation was completed in 2007.

The Verversdijk area is named after dyers who used to live there in medieval times. During the 17th century, Jesuits used the main monastery wing as a school and monastery. The attic of the building, which is 45 meters long, is now used as a study room. During World War I, German soldiers slept there.

Since 2008, the College has displayed the 'Extraordinary Groeninghe Art Collection' in Verversdijk's hallways. This collection features modern art from international artists. In 2014, a "China Library" was opened at Verversdijk. It has ten thousand books and documents about China and often hosts events on Chinese culture.

• 

  A view of the Verversdijk Campus.

• 

  The old entrance to the Verversdijk buildings.

• 

  The new entrance to the Verversdijk buildings.

Garenmarkt Building

The Hotel Portinari at Garenmarkt 15 was once home to Tommaso Portinari, a famous merchant in the 15th century. Today, it has apartments for professors and rooms for students. It also has beautiful 19th-century rooms and a modern dining hall for students. A special room dedicated to Winston Churchill was opened here in 2017. The main student canteen is also at Garenmarkt.

Biskajer Residence

This residence is in a 19th-century building. It's located in Biskajersplein, a small square named after the Spanish region of Biscay. This square was once a dock where ships from Biscay unloaded goods. The residence houses 53 students each year.

Gouden Hand Residence

The Gouden Hand residence is in a 17th-century building. It's a protected historical monument. Its name means "Golden Hand" in Dutch, from a medieval legend about the nearby canal. The famous painter Jan van Eyck lived and worked near here in the 15th century. The Gouden Hand student bar is in the cellar of this building.

Natolin Campus

The historic Potocki Palace in Natolin Park, home to the Natolin campus.

The Natolin campus in Warsaw, Poland, opened in 1992. This happened after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. It was also before Poland joined the EU.

The Natolin campus is located in a historic palace. It is part of a large 120-hectare park and nature reserve. This used to be the Royal hunting palace of Natolin. Old buildings like the manor house and stables were updated for modern use. New buildings were also added, designed to fit the historical style of the palace and park.

In 2022, the Natolin campus hosted a "European citizens’ panel." This was part of the EU's Conference on the Future of Europe, where citizens discussed ideas for Europe's future.

Albania Campus

In 2023, the College announced that it would open a new campus in Albania.

Student Life at the College

The College of Europe is bilingual, meaning students use both English and French. Students are expected to be good at both languages. After one year, students earn an advanced master's degree. They can choose to specialize in different areas, such as:

• European Economic Studies
• EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies
• European Legal Studies
• European Political and Governance Studies
• European Interdisciplinary Studies (only at the Natolin campus)

There is also a two-year Master in Transatlantic Affairs program.

How to Apply

Students can apply through national selection committees in their home countries. About 70% of students receive scholarships from governments or other organizations.

College Traditions

The College of Europe has many special traditions. One tradition is naming each academic year after an important European figure, called a "patron." Another tradition is having a famous European leader open the academic year.

Each year, College of Europe students are made honorary citizens of Bruges before they leave. Another tradition is visiting Flanders Fields during the first weeks of the school year. Students lay flowers at the Menin Gate war memorial in Ypres to remember those who died in wars.

Promotions (Academic Years)

Academic years at the College are called promotions. Each promotion is named after an important European person.

The opening ceremony each year is led by a famous politician, called the Orateur. Past speakers include Angela Merkel, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Margaret Thatcher. Being invited as the College's Orateur is a great honor.

Notable Alumni

Many former students of the College, called anciens (French for alumni), have become important figures. They include government ministers, members of parliaments, diplomats, and high-ranking officials.

• 

  Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark.

• 

  Nick Clegg, former British Deputy Prime Minister.

• 

  Clément Beaune, French politician.

• 

  Brigid Laffan, Irish political scientist.

• 

  Valerie Plame, former CIA officer.

• 

  Marija Pejčinović Burić, Croatian politician.

• 

  Alexander Stubb, President of Finland.

• 

  Pål Jonson, Swedish Minister for Defense.

Some notable alumni from the College of Europe (from 1949) include:

• Nick Clegg, former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
• Alexander Stubb, current President of Finland and former Prime Minister.
• Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark.
• Manuel Marín, former President of the European Commission.
• Marija Pejčinović Burić, former Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia.
• Enzo Moavero Milanesi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
• Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission.
• Valerie Plame, former United States CIA Operations Officer.

Teachers and Leadership

The College of Europe used to have visiting teachers from across Europe. Now, it also has many permanent professors and staff.

Academics (Teachers)

Many well-known experts teach at the College, including:

• Dominique Moïsi, a senior advisor at a French research institute.
• Leszek Balcerowicz, a famous economist who helped transform Poland's economy.
• Alyson Bailes, a former British diplomat.
• Christian Lequesne, a professor of European Politics.
• Norman Davies, a well-known historian.

Rectors (Leaders of the College)

The Rector is in charge of guiding and managing the College's activities.

• Hendrik Brugmans (1949–1971)
• Jerzy Łukaszewski (1972–1990)
• Werner Ungerer (1990–1993)
• Gabriel Fragnière (1993–1995)
• Otto von der Gablentz (1996–2001)
• Piet Akkermans (2001–2002)
• Robert Picht (2002–2003) (acting)
• Paul Demaret (2003–2013)
• Jörg Monar (2013–2020)
• Federica Mogherini (2020–present)

Vice Rectors (Leaders of Natolin Campus)

The Vice Rector manages the daily operations of the Natolin (Warsaw) campus.

• Ettore Deodato (1993)
• David W. P. Lewis (1994–1996)
• Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (1996–1999)
• Piotr Nowina-Konopka (1999–2004)
• Robert Picht (2004–2005) (acting)
• Robert Picht (2005–2007)
• Ewa Ośniecka-Tamecka (2007– present)

Presidents of the Administrative Council

The President of the Administrative Council leads the College's governing board.

• Salvador de Madariaga (1950–1964)
• Jean Rey (1964–1974)
• François-Xavier Ortoli (1974–1975)
• Daniel Coens (1985–1990)
• Manuel Marín (1990–1995)
• Jacques Delors (1995–2000)
• Jean-Luc Dehaene (2000–2009)
• Íñigo Méndez de Vigo (2009 – 2019)
• Herman Van Rompuy (2019–present)

See also

• European University Institute
• List of College of Europe presidents
• List of College of Europe rectors and vice-rectors