The Coronavirus or COVID-19, has impacted every fibre of our societies in significant and unforeseen ways, some of which will undoubtedly have lasting consequences. As researchers and experts, we have the opportunity to see firsthand some of the more immediate impacts which the Coronavirus has had within our areas of expertise and research. As such, we are uniquely positioned to provide key insights into the wide-ranging impacts and consequences of the Coronavirus. Particularly, what these consequences can mean for the future of our societies in the areas of migration, justice, diversity, environment, sustainable development, economy and international security.

On Europe Day 2020, the EU institutions want to pay tribute through numerous online activities to the many Europeans who, in a spirit of solidarity, are helping our Union get through the coronavirus crisis. The Institute for European Studies joins them in their wishes and reflects on this crisis, that has impacted every fibre of our societies in significant and unforeseen ways. 

IES Doctoral Researcher Klaudia Majcher and Joseph Waldstein launched an open and forward-looking blog – ‘The Afterlife’. This is a platform for people around the world to share their ideas on what they want to change: personally, and in society at large. On this platform, everyone can publish ideas and children can present their art works. 

The idea behind this is to bring people closer together, at least by sharing ideas. The creators of this blog want to take peoples’ minds off the current events, even if only for some minutes – by looking ahead. The blog accepts contributions in English and between approximately 150 and 300 words. The blog posts should present an opportunity for change in your daily life or in the world. Now or in the future – and triggered by Corona. 

Considering the initial interest in the Summer School on EU Policy Making, and in consultation with our partners in Vienna, we have decided to offer the summer school in synchronous online format during the same period 6th to 17th July 2020. We will live-stream lectures and provide for interaction between participants and lecturers through coordinated online group work. Similar to past editions of the summer school, we will run a simulation exercise on EU decision-making and invite high-level speakers from the EU and international institutions to share their expertise and experiences.

In 2019, the Institute for European Studies was honoured to bring four PhDs to fruition: Sara Silvestre (PhD in Political Science), Max Jansson (PhD in Law), Carla Mascia (PhD in Political Science) and Stephan Klose (PhD in Political Science). The IES organised 59 events and produced 104 publications. The Institute continued to expand and now counts 108 people or 52.4 full-time equivalents. In 2019, IES scholars took part in a total of 175 media appearances. Moreover, the Institute was successful in obtaining externally funded projects. At the end of the year, no less than 35 external projects were conducted by IES scholars, whereas an additional 14 projects were funded through our own budget. IES research output contributed significantly to a range of prominent policy developments, like the EU and Flemish policies to achieve CO2 neutrality in the coming decades.

While EU-South Korea relations have attracted growing attention in recent years, the relationship between key EU member states and the Asian country remains underexplored. To remedy that, the KF-VUB Korea Chair has now issued a new report thatdescribes and analyses the recent evolution of the relationship between Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and Sweden, on the one hand, and South Korea on the other. The report covers the areas of economic relations, security relations, bilateral relations and North Korea, and cultural relations. Find out what its main conclusions are!