On Friday, October 2, 2026, nearly 600 EM Strasbourg students gathered in the chamber of the European Parliament for a back-to-school conference focused on Europe. The experience introduced them to the institution and encouraged them to reflect on the major issues facing the continent—an ideal expression of the "European mindset" the School aims to foster in its students.
An Exceptional Start to the Academic Year at the Heart of Europe
As they begin their time at EM Strasbourg, new students and exchange students took seats usually occupied by members of the European Parliament to attend a conference and discussion titled “European Sovereignty in an Unstable World: Responding to Geopolitical, Defense, and Resource Challenges?”
Opening the event, Babak Mehmanpazir, Dean of EM Strasbourg, reminded them: “The seat you are occupying is unique in the world. It represents 27 countries and 24 languages.” He encouraged them to appreciate where they were, to stand up for diversity, debate, and democracy, and to move forward with “the pessimism of intellect and the optimism of will.”
After a welcome from a representative of the European Parliament, Dorina Butucel, EM Strasbourg’s mobility program coordinator, introduced students to the European Parliament's role and operations.
Federico Santopinto, research director at the Institute for International & Strategic Relations (IRIS), then discussed the European Union’s ability to act in an uncertain geopolitical context. Students asked him about some of the difficult choices facing Europe: How can it speak with one voice despite disagreements among member states? How can it strengthen defense without giving up on diplomacy? How far should the European Union continue to expand? By asking questions using the chamber’s microphones and voting, students took part in a debate about Europe’s future.
How Is the European Mindset Developed at EM Strasbourg?
The conference also gave students an opportunity to compare perspectives and better understand the role they themselves can play in the European project. Rachel Schurhammer, Vice President for Education & Student Success at the University of Strasbourg, encouraged them to continue reflecting: “Do not act as mere observers of history, but as its future authors.”
This experience reflects a dimension of student life at EM Strasbourg that continues throughout the program: the "European mindset", founded on cooperation, multilingualism, European values, intercultural openness, and the celebration of individuality. In everyday life, this means learning languages, taking part in international mobility, and meeting students with a wide range of backgrounds. Nearly one-third of students are international. As Stéphano Vacher, Thomas Coudert, Delphine Theurelle-Stein, and Kevin Mac Gabhann noted, this dimension runs throughout all programs. It also continues after graduation through the alumni network, presented by Sylvère Laude, president of the EM Strasbourg Alumni association.
The morning concluded with a speech by Enrico Prinz, Vice Dean of EM Strasbourg, who encouraged students to trust in their ability to act in a more unstable world. Reflecting in particular on German reunification and on moments when realities that seemed immutable eventually shifted, he urged them never to confuse uncertainty with powerlessness. “Uncertainty is not powerlessness. As long as history is still being written, you can change the course of events,” he concluded.
