The European University officially launched the Jean Monnet Summer Academy on August 22, 2024, as part of the EnlargEU project. 

The academy, aimed at deepening the understanding of European Union enlargement policies, attracted a diverse group of participants from Georgia and beyond.

The session commenced with an introduction by Tatia Dolidze, the Jean Monnet Module Academic Coordinator and an Associate Professor at European University. Dolidze welcomed the participants, emphasizing the significance of the academy in contributing to the discourse on EU enlargement, particularly for Georgian youth and young scholars. She provided an overview of the academy’s objectives and highlighted the enthusiastic response, with over 350 applications received.

In her lecture, Dolidze explored the theoretical underpinnings of EU enlargement, focusing on the concepts of the logic of appropriateness and the logic of consequences. She used Ukraine’s ongoing EU membership aspirations as a case study, discussing the complex interplay of factors influencing the EU's stance. Dolidze also incorporated an interactive element into her session, organizing participants into breakout rooms where they discussed different scenarios related to EU enlargement.

Following Dolidze,  Kakha Gogolashvili,  Director of the Center of EU Studies at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS), delivered a detailed presentation on the historical and political dimensions of EU enlargement. He discussed the challenges and opportunities for Georgia in its journey toward EU membership, highlighting the political, economic, and social reforms required to align with EU standards.

The day’s sessions also included engaging lectures by Stephen Blockmans, a senior fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels and a professor at the College of Europe. Blockmans focused on the future of the EU's enlargement policy, addressing the ongoing debates within the EU about its capacity and willingness to expand. He outlined the challenges the EU faces in managing enlargement, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments.

The participants, representing a mix of pupils, students and young professionals, actively engaged in the discussions, reflecting the high level of interest in the topics covered. The interactive nature of the sessions, with opportunities for Q&A and debates, allowed for a deeper exploration of the issues surrounding EU enlargement.

The Jean Monnet Summer Academy is part of the broader EnlargEU project, which will continue over the next three years with a series of public discussions, academic publications, and field lectures across various Georgian cities.