Schuman is everywhere around us; in the way we interact with others, in the way we see one another, in the way we want to exchange novel insights and perspectives with one another and in the way we want to share knowledge with eachother. We just have to look, listen and learn!
Learning being the keyword here, we want to exchange our Schuman knowledge with as many of you as possible. We do this through our Schuman 4 Kids & for Students programs but also through (online) courses and events for (young) professionals.
COIL: Collaborative Online International Learning on Personal Leadership connected to Core Principles of the EU
COIL was initiated by THUAS, with two other universities:
Discover some of the testimonials given by our inspiring students:
The COIL experience was a very intercultural and interdisciplinary way of working and discussing together online in class and small groups setting. This influenced me in multiple ways. I got the opportunity to learn in groups of students from India and Spain
~ F. D. 3rd-year European Studies student ~
That is one of the main things that surprised me of this project: even if you are in a different part of the world, you can start making a good friendship with someone […]
[…] For me, the moment I enjoyed the most was the 10th Annual Congress of Schuman, when we got to meet each other “live”.
~ C. A. G. Erasmus student ~
The Leadership course was comprehensive and informative. […] This course gave me a fantastic overview of what qualities, practices, and necessary steps that not only need to be taken to thrive in the working field but also to improve yourself as an individual in a positive way. What I appreciated the most about this course was the way lectures were taught with such enthusiasm. [...] I am looking forward to experience something equivalent such as this again.
~ P. v. D. 3rd-year European Studies student
The 10th Annual International Schuman Congress at THUAS was a resounding success. It provided a valuable platform for dialogue and reflection on Schuman's vision for Europe and its significance in today's world. I look forward to future editions of the congress and the continued exploration of Schuman's legacy and its relevance for the future of Europe.
~ M. B. 1st year European Studies student ~
The COIL project was a unique experience that allowed me to build the skill I will need for my future; COIL has given me much knowledge on new theories and concepts I didn’t know before. It has allowed me to explore different topics and subjects that I might not have gotten the opportunity to learn.
By interacting with students from different cultural backgrounds I got exposed and I exposed them to new ideas, perspectives and way of thinking that can broaden horizons and challenge assumptions.
~ M. S. Management Education and Research Institute, New Delhi ~
What really caught my attention in this online class was the positivity and enthusiasm to be able to participate in this kind of project from so many different people from around the world.
The vibe in these classes were pure fun! I appreciate the most that everybody
contributed their part to this project and was willing to learn.
I want to thank Mrs. Krijtenburg for making possible that we had the chance to
join this course and develop ourselves through it. Hopefully this course will remain
for the next years with even more intercultural exchange.
I think it was a different experience from the usual courses we take in European studies. The possibility to listen and understand what other students had to say was very interesting and has shown a great cooperation and friendliness between all the involved students. Overall, was really distinct but very enriching for our futures careers.
When it comes to talk about the online classes, they were very lively, and participation was remarkably active from the majority of the students who attended. Per group, we had to represent
each assignment and discuss our points of views as well as what we learned on a personal level and finally connect them to the main points related to what Ms. Krijtenburg was trying to explain to us.
Once I finished this experience, what I can be sure of is that the course itself made me a better and more conscious person. I hope this course will be preserved through the next times and can impact the bigger number of students possible, and I will expect to see news from this COIL experience, hopefully with other students and countries to participate.
The guidelines of this course are strong enough to change people’s life or at least the way we view it, so should be part of every student to consider these questions and count with the support of personal leadership to become better persons, better students, as we own that to ourselves. We should always go after the best version of ourselves and nothing better than this course to uncover those paradigms.
COIL LECTURES & workshops online
Arrival of COIL colleagues from Spain and India at THUAS with in the middle Laurian Hollander, Programme Manager European Studies, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, 22 March 2023.
Schuman Student Conference at the Representation of the European Parliament and European Commission in The Hague, 23 March 2023.
In front of THUAS with part of the Indian Delegation -and the Vice-Ambassador of India in The Hague, Mr. Mattam. From left to right: Refiya Scheltinga, International Relations officer European Studies Programme; Nutan Bharati, Professor at Management Education & Research Institute (MERI), New Delhi; Margriet Krijtenburg, PhD on Schuman’s Europe & senior lecturer European Studies Programme; Mr. Gince Kuruvilla Mattam, Vice-Ambassador India, Lalit Aggarwal, Professor & Vice-President MERI; Mamta Aggarwal, Head primary & secondary school(s) New Delhi.
Prof. Lalit Aggarwal after the book presentation in Hindi
10th Annual International Schuman Student Congress (10th AISSC) in the Aula of THUAS, 23 March 2023.
Book presentation of the translation into Hindi of the children book of “The Father of Europe & Introduction to contemporary fathers of reconciliation Gandhi & M.L. King” by the vice-Ambassador of India, Mr. Mattam.
10th AISSC
10th AISSC in the AULA, singing the EU hymn with song on Schuman’s key principles in practice.
Continuation of 10th AISSC in Speaker’s Corner for debates.
10th AISSC continuation in Speaker’s Corner, 23 March 2023.
Professor Dr. Jaap de Zwaan (middle) started the lively discussion rounds that were then taken over by the students at the 10 th AISSC in the Speaker’s Corner, 23 March 2023.
A celebration on the big success of the 10th AISSC with all COIL participants at Fratelli’s in The Hague.
COIL group in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague, 24 March 2023.
A guiding tour through the Prace Palace with its Permanent Court of Arbitration, International Court of Justice and world’s largest Library of International Law.
After the impressive visit of the Peace Palace, a thorough lunch at Room’s, so as to have a good bus trip all the way to the Maison Robert Schuman in Scy-Chazelles (Metz, France).
The next rainy day, on our way to Maison Robert Schuman, 25 March 2023.
In front of the four main Founding Fathers of the European integration project, from left to right: Adenauer, Schuman, De Gasperi, Monnet.
Just before starting another Schuman Round Table conversation at the Maison Robert Schuman, 25 March 2023.
Visiting Schuman’s house and now museum. This is the desk he sat at when making his observations to the later called Schuman Declaration.
Margriet Krijtenburg’s children book to which she and Arjen de Wit changed her PhD on Schuman’s Europe, his frame of reference, is sold at the Maison Robert Schuman in French, German and English. Krijtenburg’s PhD is also sold in French at the Maison Robert Schuman.
Schuman was laid to rest in the little church of St Quintin, opposite the Maison Robert Schuman.
COIL-travel group in Scy Chazelles in front of the little church where Schuman was buried and the statues of the first Founding Fathers of the European integration project (Schuman, Adenauer, De Gasperi and Monnet)
The next day, day to go back to the respective countries: The Netherlands, Spain and India. The picture shows part of the famous cathedral St Etienne in Metz, where Schuman’s funeral Mass had taken place in 1963.
Book presentation of the translation into Ukrainian language at State of Europe Forum in Stockholm (Sweden held the Presidency of the EU) on 6 May 2023.
Presentation of the children book in Ukrainian language to Ukrainian children during the State of Europe Congress in Stockholm, 6th of May 2023.
With Professor Zbigniew Krysiak and part of the participants of the Conference on “Return to Schuman’s Europe” at the European Parliament in Strasbourg the day of the State of the Union, 14 September 2022.
With Professor Zbigniew Krysiak of the Conference on “Return to Schuman’s Europe” at the European Parliament in Strasbourg the day of the State of the Union, 14 September 2022.
Krijtenburg’s visit to the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Escuela de Gobierno y Liderazgo and getting to know M Ángeles Muñoz.
From left to right: Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid) vice-rector Fernando V.; Margriet Krijtenburg, PhD The Hague University of Applied Sciences; Ana Gonzalez, head Research Schuman Department and M. Ángeles Muñoz, director of the School for Governance & Leadership.
M. Krijtenburg’s speech on Schuman’s Europe at Conference on “Return to Schuman’s Europe” at the European Parliament in Strasbourg the day of the State of the Union, 14 September 2022.
Presentation to Herman van Rompuy, first President of the EU, of French version of PhD thesis on Schuman’s Europe, his frame of reference during the Study days on “European democracy in times of confusion”, in Namen, Belgium, 16-18 September 2022.
Presentation of the children book to the Nuntio of Belgium during the Study days on “European democracy in times of confusion” Namen, Belgium, 16-18 September 2022.
6 May 2023, Stockholm, Sweden: Krijtenburg’s Speech on “ Schuman for Kids” during State of Europe Forum & book presentation to Ukrainian children.
With a Latvian and British colleague in Stockholm at the State of Europe Congress from Schuman’s perspective
18-22 September 2023, Krasiczyn, POLAND, Schuman Trimarium Forum. Trimarium in Krasiczyn (Poland), September 2023.
A small part of the participants of the TRIMARIUM
With Spanish COIL-colleague, M Ángeles Muñoz, Director Escuela de Gobieno y Liderazgo, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria ( Madrid ) in The Hague after the successful 10th AISSC.
After the presentations, with Rocco Buttiglione.
Maison Robert Schuman.
French, German and English copies of Krijtenburg’s children book of The Father of Europe, as sold in the Maison Robert Schuman, Scy-Chazelles (Metz).
European Summer School in Aranda de Duero (Spain, July 7-14), organized by the Escuela de Liderazgo y Gobierno of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid) Very inspiring!
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