The Europaeum Debate
“This House believes that States should focus more on global interdependence and cooperation than on formal sovereignty, national interests and border protection.”
3 June 2026 | Palácio Estoril, Estoril, Portugal
This year’s Europaeum Debate at the 34th Estoril Political Forum, organised by the Institute for Political Studies at the Catholic University of Portugal, built on the event’s overarching theme of independence in an interdependent world: “This House believes that States should focus more on global interdependence and cooperation than on formal sovereignty, national interests and border protection.”
Two students from the Universidade Católica met with five from the Jagiellonian University and four from the wider Europaeum network (Leiden, LMU Munich and FU Berlin) to participate in debate preparation. Students discussed how to develop arguments for and against the motion and practiced the rhetorical strategies of debating in the Oxford style.
Six students took part in the debate itself. Speaking for the motion were Ewa Janaczek, Zuzanna Wilczynska and Ania Maby from Jagiellonian University. Against were Felix Heuner (Leiden), Sophia Sousa (UCP) and Lucas Quaresma (UCP). They were supported in debate preparation by Bram Boers and Ortensia Cicigoi (LMU Munich), Francisco Torres Jimeno (Freie Universität Berlin) and Lasha Svanishvili (Jagiellonian) who also assisted with counting the votes.
An initial tally of opinions showed slight overall support for the motion among the audience, but after a series of lively and well-informed arguments a further vote was taken and the prevailing attitude in the audience shifted against the motion with a majority now voting against.
The Europaeum thanks the four scholars who provided expert commentary on the students’ arguments, Dr Łucja Piekarska (Jagiellonian University); Professor Ernest Caldwell (St. Mary’s University, London), Professor Sónia Ribeiro (IEP-Católica, Lisbon) and Professor Paulo Sande (IEP-Católica, Lisbon). The discussants highlighted the need to keep such debates rooted in the realities of international politics while also leaving space for dialogue based on shared values and the possibility of reaching consensus.
The Europaeum also thanks Prof. Mónica Dias, the Director of the Institute for Political Studies and the rest of the organising team; and Prof. Isabel Capeloa Gil, the Rector of the UCP.
