Programme

The founding principle of the European project is solidarity as a means of cohesion between member states and a value in addressing European and global challenges. Founding father, Robert Schuman, described it as follows in his declaration of 9 May 1950, which laid the foundation for the European Union: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan:it will be formed through concrete measures which bring about a de facto solidarity.” The 75th anniversary of this declaration will be commemorated in 2025. Europe was meant to be more than an economic union and Schuman offered solidarity as a compass to navigate future challenges and strengthen European cooperation in the long term. This is as pertinent today as it was in his time and, as European nations and citizens, we are called to contribute to this European ideal ‘in the making’.

One of the persistent challenges is how to face the migration crisis, which is the focus of attention of this first edition of the winter school. There is an urgent need for more solidarity amongst member states in receiving global migrants, who appeal for human dignity, a moral obligation as stated by Pope Francis:

“Above all I ask leaders and legislators and the entire international community to confront the reality of those who have been displaced by force, with effective projects and new approaches in order to protect their dignity, to improve the quality of their life and to face the challenges that are emerging from modern forms of persecution, oppression and slavery.”

In order to understand what is at stake, the UCSIA Winter School, ‘European Solidarity in the Making’ at the University of Antwerp will subsequently:

• investigate the concepts of solidarity and human dignity from a philosophical and historical perspective (day I), offering a theoretical lens to interpret the ensuing presentations on:
  • the social construction of Europe through acquired rights and instruments (Social Funds and the European Pillar for Social Rights) for the protection of migrating EU-citizens and workforce within the Union and how this could be extended to non-EU citizens (day II)
  • the political tensions in drafting migration policies at the EU-level and finding common ground or unity in diversity, while sharing the burden on the basis of subsidiarity and strengthening cooperation with third countries (day III)
  • on the legal foundations supporting and managing a just migration regime
• present concrete ways of supporting and protecting vulnerable migrant groups (day V)

The topic of this year’s edition will be presented to the wider audience in an opening lecture. The students will follow theoretical courses in the morning. In the afternoon the students will join local organizations working with migrants and reflect on this experience in group, following the community service-learning approach.

An excursion to the European institutes in Brussels, with a possibility to meet decision makers, completes the programme of this interdisciplinary and interactive winter school developed for students (last year masters and PHD) from universities within and beyond Europe.​

​Discover the detailed programme​