About the Author:
Isabelle De Leon is a Master’s student in European Governance at the University of Luxembourg and took part in the Europaeum School on Europe’s Strategic Autonomy (13-17 October 2025) in Brussels, Belgium.
Day 1
I took the afternoon train from Luxembourg and arrived in Brussels around half past four. After checking into the hotel, I went for a walk, had dinner, and returned early to rest. It was a quiet evening before the start of a full week ahead.
Day 2: First Day of the Seminar
The seminar began at the Press Club Brussels with sessions on disinformation and media resilience, followed by discussions on European challenges and depolarizing politics. Hearing from journalists, officials, and academics helped me understand how media and policy interact in shaping public debate in Europe.
Later in the day, we attended a roundtable on the von der Leyen 2.0 Commission and its approach to governance. The day ended with dinner at Restaurant L’equinoxe, where conversations continued in a more relaxed setting.
Day 3: Inside the European Union
In the morning, we attended panels on urban greening and the prize-giving ceremony for the Europaeum Scholars’ projects. The guest speakers highlighted the importance of collaboration in policymaking.
In the afternoon, we visited the European Parliament, meeting officials from DG Communication, the Parliamentary Research Service, and DG Economy. The guided tour gave us a closer look at how the Parliament operates.
In the evening, we joined the roundtable on Strategic Autonomy, which discussed Europe’s capacity to act independently in security and economic policy. From these discussions, I took away a key insight: “Strategic autonomy is not only a policy goal; it is a mindset. The courage to lead with openness to build together.” The day ended with the conference dinner at Fondation Universitaire, where I felt inspired by the shared sense of purpose among everyone contributing to the Europaeum and to the EU more broadly.
Day 4: Council, EEAS, and Journalists
We began early with a guided visit to the Council of the EU’s Europa Building, followed by lunch with journalists from the Financial Times and The Guardian. The conversation offered insight into how European institutions are covered in the media and how communication can bridge policy and public understanding.
In the afternoon, we visited the European External Action Service. The discussions led by Birgit Loeser and Cormac Shine were as engaging as the rest of the week, providing a clearer view of how the EEAS coordinates Europe’s external and defense policies. The day ended with a short debrief and an early dinner.
Day 5: Exploring Brussels Before Departure
Before my train back to Luxembourg in the afternoon, I managed to walk around the city centre. I visited the Grand Place, the Jacques Brel Statue, and saw the Manneken Pis in its new suit. To end the trip on a sweet note, I treated myself to a warm Liège waffle! My perfect way to close a meaningful week in Brussels.
Finally, the seminar was engaging and insightful. Listening to policymakers, journalists, academics, and fellow students showed me how the EU works in practice and how its approach to strategic autonomy shapes Europe and its role in the world. It also reinforced the connections between my studies, governance experience, and understanding of international cooperation, which I hope to carry forward in future research and policy work for the people.
