Journée de la France: Science Diplomacy at the Heart of EUTOPIA

The Journée de la France, co-organised by VUB and the Ambassade de France en Belgique, was a resounding success! The event at Usquare opened with inspiring words from Rector Jan Danckaert and French ambassador Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes, setting the tone for a day dedicated to collaboration and dialogue.

A highlight was the science diplomacy debate at the Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies (BrIAS), during which Luciana Radut-Gaghi (CY Cergy Paris Université) and Wim Vandenbussche (VUB) explored how universities—and in particular alliances like EUTOPIA—are shaping Europe’s role in global scientific cooperation. Their discussion underscored the strategic importance of academic networks in fostering trust, innovation, and shared solutions to global challenges.



The day concluded with a warm alumni soirée, featuring heartfelt testimonies and a musical performance by alumnae.

CY, VUB, and EUTOPIA demonstrated that science diplomacy is not just a concept—it’s a commitment to building bridges through knowledge and collaboration.