ɫƵ marked the thirtieth anniversary of Austria, Sweden and Finland’s membership of the European Union at a special event on campus.
The Centre for European Studies (CEUROS) ɫƵ hosted H.E. Melitta Schubert, Ambassador of Austria to Ireland; H.E. Leena Gardemeister, Ambassador of Finland to Ireland; and H.E. Lina Van der Weyden, Ambassador of Sweden to Ireland for a roundtable discussion on the ‘remarkable milestone’ for their countries.
The panel discussion was chaired and moderated by Professor Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of UL, who engaged the Ambassadors in conversation around their countries’ journeys to EU-membership, the benefits of membership, and the challenges ahead – including how to keep citizens engaged with the European project.
The event was also attended by UL Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins; Dr Sandra Joyce, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; and Director of CEUROS, Dr Michaela Schrage-Früh.
Professor Kilcommins described UL as an “ideal institution” to host the event due to its “long and sustained tradition and commitment to European Studies”.
“These countries continue to exemplify the values and spirit that underpin the European project – openness, equality, and solidarity. In times when these values come under increased strain and challenge due to global developments, a discussion on the past, present and future of the European Union is very much needed,” said Professor Kilcommins.
Dr Schrage-Früh, Associate Professor in German Studies ɫƵ’s School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics, said: “We are so honoured to host the Ambassadors and to celebrate together this remarkable milestone – namely 30 years of EU-membership of Austria, Finland, and Sweden. This anniversary offers not only an opportunity to celebrate but also to reflect on the enduring values that lie at the heart of the European Union – all values that are very much at the heart of the Centre for European Studies and ɫƵ.”