News and Events 
Inaugural online debate in conjunction with the European Parliament Office Sakharov Prize.
Congratulations to Senior Fresh students Caroline Higgins and Ellen Bastable on winning the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought debate held online on Tuesday 19th October.
The debate was chaired the Director of the Centre for European Studies, Dr Jac Hayden.
Awarded for the first time in 1988 to Nelson Mandela and Anatoli Marchenko, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought. Through the prize and its associated network the EU assists laureates, who are supported and empowered in their efforts to defend their causes.
Caroline and Ellen argued that Russian activist and political prisoner, Alexi Navalny should be awarded the Sakharov prize. European Parliamentarians agreed with the TCD duo and awarded the prize with its EUR 50 000 endowment at a formal plenary sitting in Strasbourg on October 20th.
Runners up Ben Mahon and Jack Williams (aided by Doug Suffield) delivered a powerful argument in favour of awarding the prize to the Afghani women nominees.
The adjudicating committee, Professors Roja Fazaeli and Balazs Apor was chaired by the EP’s Head of public Affairs, Patrick O’Riordan, awarded the prize to Higgins and Bastable for their impassioned and well researched account of why Alexei Navalny should win the prize.
Please click here for further information. [October 2021]
European Studies in Havana
Our final-year undergraduate Sarah Conway reports on her time spent on exchange in Cuba. This exchange was facilitated by Trinity’s partnership with the Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad. Following a semester spent at the University of Salamanca, Sarah and fellow European Studies student Mark MacQuillan, completed their year abroad in Cuba. Sarah and Mark attended classes in the programme on the history of Cuba, US-Cuban relations, and on Marxist-Leninist philosophy at the University of Havana. Despite some challenges in adjusting to life in Cuba, Sarah reflects that the experience was one to be treasured forever. She adds that ‘bringing my European Studies degree outside of Europe has enriched my view of European societies- some things are seen more clearly from the outside.’ Sarah Conway and Mark MacQuillan after President Higgins’ address to the Society for Irish Latin American Studies in Havana, with left Prof. Jane Ohlmeyer (Director, Trinity Long Room Hub).
ERASMUS AT 30!
European Studies MPhil students mark the anniversary in Florence
The thirtieth anniversary of the Erasmus programme in 2017 was marked by an ‘EU and Global Challenges conference’ held at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Florence. Invited participants included Krstic from our MPhil programme in European Studies. Students from across the EU gathered in Florence to discuss the current state of the project of European integration. Seán and Tijana presented on the topic of the place of Islam in Europe. Alongside workshops and panels at this event discussing the future of the European project, participants took part in a session with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Frederica Mogherini.