EUTOPIA Ideas Club: European Values in Action in Ljubljana 

The University of Ljubljana hosted the third edition of the EUTOPIA Ideas Club, a student-led, multilingual debate initiative that fosters European identity and inclusive citizenship. The Ideas Club is designed to raise awareness of European values by promoting intercultural understanding and participatory dialogue across borders. The event was organised in collaboration with EUTOPIA Connected Community Working with University Students for Inclusion, Solidarity and Citizen Participation in the EU. 30 students from all partner universities participated in the Event.  

Focus on Migration, Inclusion, and Solidarity 

This edition, held at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ljubljana, focused on asylum policy, migration, inclusion, and solidarity within the European Union. The programme began in September with a virtual session where participants were assigned roles as Council of Europe member states. Each student prepared a position paper reflecting their assigned country’s stance on the key themes. 

During the in-person event, participants presented their positions and engaged in a negotiation simulation, aiming to reach a qualified majority on shared policy goals. The simulation mirrored real EU decision-making processes, offering students a hands-on experience in diplomacy and consensus-building. 

Workshops and Learning Beyond Debate 

The programme also included a quiz on inclusion and diversity hosted by the University of Ljubljana’s Office for Inclusion and Diversity, and a workshop on transparency in EU decision-making. Students explored the roles of the European Commission, the Council, and the Parliament, and discussed the rights and responsibilities of EU citizenship. 

Student Reflections: A Transformative Experience 

A participant from the University of Gothenburg, shared her experience: 

"The European Commission negotiation simulation was such an immersive experience. We were deep into negotiations and discussions—both formal and informal—and I was especially captivated by how interdisciplinarity can work in practice, as we exchanged concepts and perspectives. This was a profound experience for me, not only as my first trip for academic reasons but also to participate in a simulation of a real process I did not know the workings of. It has made me aware of the importance of this event in general and EU interconnectedness specifically. My biggest takeaway, besides learning about important decision-making processes, was no doubt Professor Novak’s lesson on transparency and access to information that simultaneously situated and empowered us as citizens.” 

Looking Ahead 

The event concluded with the launch of a collaborative report, with students dividing tasks to reflect on the outcomes and lessons learned. The Ideas Club continues to grow as a platform for student engagement, critical thinking, and European cooperation. 

What Is the EUTOPIA Ideas Club? 

The Ideas Club is a core initiative of the EUTOPIA Alliance. It brings together students from across Europe to engage in structured debates and simulations on pressing societal issues. Through this, it encourages critical thinking, intercultural exchange, and a deeper understanding of European citizenship.