Read the Activity Report of the IEE-ULB
Europe is being put to the test
2024 was an extremely rich political year which put the European Union to the test. It had to face war, economic, geopolitical and climatic risks, as well as the rise of forces challenging its principles and very existence. The IEE-ULB was there, faithful to its missions of research, teaching and public debate, as well as to the principle of academic freedom. It endeavoured to understand and make sense of these challenges.
The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of the year and the European elections in June 2024 have provided an invaluable opportunity for reflection and debate. The celebration of our Institute’s 60th anniversary has allowed us to anchor our analysis of contemporary issues in the long term and to reaffirm our threefold Brussels, Belgian and European roots, which equip us all the better to open up to the world.
We are committed to a sustainable IEE
Over the past year, we have aimed at implementing the concept of ‘sustainable IEE’, which has been our guiding principle since we took office. We have adapted our infrastructure to mobility practices that respect the planet and created a welcoming working environment that is open to the outside world.
We are committed to ensuring the strengthening, continuity and well-being of our administrative, scientific and academic teams. We are also dedicated to deepening our dialogue with our students to enrich our teaching practices and support them in their initiatives. Our university motto of free examination encourages us to constantly set out to discover new outlets for our graduates, partners in new countries or sectors of activity, or ways of exploring the world.
Graduates of the “Jacques Delors Class”
Our graduates of 2024 have wisely decided to call themselves the “Jacques Delors Class” in honour of his death in 2023. In his own way, Jacques Delors embodied a moment in European history. He was the man behind austerity in France, the single market and the single currency, but also the man behind social Europe, Schengen and Erasmus. He was able to combine strong convictions with the reconciliation of divergent ideals and interests. In many ways, he offers a steep but salutary path in times of polarisation and a refusal to accept nuance and complexity. We are confident that our young alumni will follow this path, and that the IEE will continue to support them along the way.
François Foret Chloé Brière
Président de l’IEE-ULB Directrice de l’IEE-ULB
