European Summer Academy Made Vilnius the Centre of Democratic Discussion
On 16 August, the European Summer Academy ended with a reception and greetings from the Rector of Vilnius University (VU) Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Excellency Matthias Sonn. Both guests of honour were presented with the results of the four working groups, which have been conducting research on politically highly topical issues.
“European Summer Academy is a perfect event for bringing together excellent academic youth from different countries, cultural and social backgrounds. Events as such let reconcile academical discussions with tensions of public issues. We can share our scientific expertise and experiences in a respectable and intellectual manner. The manner which is not so common in nowadays public spaces, fast communication and everflowing social networking world.
It is very important to use this momentum and strengthen Vilnius as a basis for future development. Not only for our region, but for all Europe, which seems longing for new ideas, perspectives and impulses,” – said Prof. R. Petrauskas.
The general secretary of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation Dr. Anette Julius in the closing speech has stated, that their participation is highly desired in the spirit of a continual exchange. Meanwhile, Mr. Sonn also emphasized the meaningfulness of these international political encounters.
European Summer Academy assembled more than 70 participants from six different countries. They were involved in four working groups. The famous Nuremberg Trials were discussed by the first working group, regarding their potential role model for a criminal reappraisal of Putin's current attack on Ukraine. The members of the second working group were investigating the political effects of Artificial Intelligence on the competition between political systems and tried to figure out if there may be structural advantages for totalitarian states.
The third working group focused on the development and the actual situation of living conditions and Housing Production here in Vilnius, where many war refugees have fled lately. The use and misuse of political narratives of historical incidents related to WWII and its effects on the ongoing propaganda process were explored by the fourth working group.
European Summer Academy of German National Scholarship Foundation took place this year for the first time in cooperation with EHU and VU in Vilnius. All organizers expressed the wish for a repetition next year. Applications are open not only to scholarship holders of the German National Academic Foundation, but also to local students of all disciplines (from the 5th semester in the Bachelor's program).
German Academic Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to exceptionally gifted students and doctoral candidates from Germany or studying for degrees in accredited programmes and institutions of higher education in Germany. Currently, it supports about 12.900 students and 1.100 doctoral candidates, providing its scholarship funding as well as a broad range of educational programmes, such as summer schools, conferences for doctoral students, and seminars.