Start of the 46th Edition of the European Union Course

This week marked the start of the 46th edition of the European Union Course, organised by CEI International Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and Hablamos de Europa.

Structured into four modules, the programme provides a comprehensive overview of the functioning of the European Union and the main challenges it currently faces. The sessions cover the EU’s legal and institutional framework, its main policies, the Union’s external action and the current challenges of the European project, bringing together academics and diplomats with direct experience in European institutions and EU affairs.

What is the European Union we live in today like?

This was one of the key questions raised during the opening session, which featured Ms Elena Rodríguez Díez, Director General for Integration and Coordination of General European Union Affairs.

Under the title “Spain’s Current Position in the European Union, on the 40th Anniversary of its Accession to the EEC: Challenges and Opportunities”, her presentation provided an opportunity to reflect on Spain’s role within the European project and on some of the main challenges currently facing the Union.

The session began with an institutional welcome by Mr Joaquim Llimona, Director of CEI International Affairs; Mr Senén Florensa, Ambassador and Director of the Course; and Mr Gerard Vives, Director General for European Union Affairs at the Government of Catalonia.

Four Decades of Experience

With more than forty years of history, the European Union Course continues, edition after edition, to consolidate its position as a leading programme for understanding the functioning of the European institutions, analysing the debates and challenges facing Europe, and preparing new professionals to develop their careers in the field of European affairs.