From 20 to 24 May 2024, our students gained valuable but also practical insights behind the scenes of the EU. The Brussles study trip on the topic of "Climate and energy policy in Europe" enables students to further deepen their theoretical knowledge and to apply practically - out of the university context. The study trip to the EU capital also provides insights into a new professional and internship field.
The key topics are currently the "Green Deal", the EU's major 2050 goal "climate neutrality", the "Fit for 55 Package", the electrification of the economy and society through renewable energies, the social fair implications of the reorganisation of society. The fact that the EU wants to be a world leader in energy efficiency became clear in every meeting and served as a very interesting perspective for the future of Europe. In addition to the most important EU institutions (Commission, Parliament and Council), visits to various interest groups (BDI German Business Representation, BEUC European Consumer Organisation, E3G Third Generation Environmentalism, EEB European Environmental Bureau, Greenpeace European Unit, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, SolarPowerEurope, WindEurope, ZOE Insitute for Future-fit Economies) were also on the agenda. The students were thus able to get to know people who work in Brussels and experience and shape EU politics on the ground. A direct exchange with these actors brings politics closer and also draws further perspectives for the future of our Master students.
The valuable insight into the working methods of the EU, joint activities and interesting topics (which may also contribute to the selection of topics for one or the other MA thesis) once again made the week in Brussels a complete success.