Insights and reflections from the GIS Euro-Lab summer meeting 2024

The GIS Euro-Lab Summer Meeting, held on June 27-28, 2024, in Lille, brought together over 80 scholars and experts to explore contemporary European debates such as : values, just transitions, artificial intelligence, European studies, economic actors and democracy, elections, defense, Brexit, etc. These are just some of the debates that have been disucssed during the five thematic panel sessions during the 2 days conference. This event was an important platform for interdisciplinary discussions on the pressing issues shaping Europe today in light of internal pressures and external challenges.

Communicating European Values

Interdisciplinary collaboration was central to the GIS Euro-Lab summer meeting, with discussions spanning from post-colonial approaches to European studies to the regulation of artificial intelligence. Central for my PhD journey wa sthe keynote speech of Professor Constantin Sigov, a Ukrainian philosopher and director of the European Center at Mohyla University in Kyiv. During his speech, he framed values as the vocabulary of European resistance; indeed, several participants highlighted the challenge of effectively communicating European values in a rapidly evolving world. Speakers underscored the importance of transparent and inclusive dialogue, addressing both the historical and cultural dimensions of European identity and contemporary issues like democratic threats, geopilical transformation, and icnresing economic insecurity.

My First Conference Experience!

As part of the Euro-Lab Summer Meeting, I presented my very first conference paper, titled "The Narratives of Food Sovereignty within the European Parliament," during a panel on the Definition and implementation of European values, chaired by Professor Oriane Calligaro. This experience was a major milestone in my academic journey and, I approached it with mixed emotions in between excitement and anxiety, since I was aware that I was stepping into a space with established scholars. My nerves were evident, and I felt shy and insecure about presenting my work in front of the audience. However, the welcoming atmosphere and the support from peers and panelists made a tremendous difference. Depsite sime intiial concerns, I can say that these moments of stepping out of the comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding. 

This conference marked a meaningful wrap-up of my summer and set a positive tone as I prepare to start a new academic year!