Call for Applications - 18th Euro-Asia Summer School Programme, 2026
Global Values and Foreign Policy: European and Asian Perspectives
Calling all globally-minded students! Applications are now open for the 18th edition of the Euro-Asia Summer Programme, organised within the framework of the EU-VALUES Network.
The European Union and East Asia are major players in global governance, facing shared challenges such as the erosion of democratic norms, rule of law backsliding, and environmental and climate crises that demand unified regional and global responses.
In this edition of the Euro-Asia Summer School, students will explore how values such as human rights, sustainability and democracy are challenged in Europe and Asia, and how this impacts global governance. Over two weeks, the summer school programme will delve into the roles both regions play in global governance, the strategies they employ to navigate geopolitical shifts, and how they engage in multilateral cooperation to uphold a values-based international order.
Read about last year’s summer school here:
Key Dates
Applications are considered on a rolling basis until 20 May 2026.
Summer Programme: 17th August – 29th August 2026:
Asian Week (Seoul and field visits): 17th–22nd August
European Week (Leuven & Brussels): 24th–29th August
Top Line Information on the Programme
Week 1 – Seoul and beyond (Seoul National University, Korea)
Participants will engage with leading academics and practitioners to explore key regional and global issues, including:
Elections and political systems in Korea and the EU
60 years of EU–Korea diplomatic relations
Development effectiveness and economic transformation
Socio-demographic challenges in East Asia (ageing, fertility, migration)
Financial crises in East Asia and Europe
Digital governance and social media regulation in Japan
The academic programme is complemented by cultural and field visits, including excursions to Jeonju Hanok Village, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and other historical sites, offering participants deeper insight into Korea’s cultural and political context.
Week 2 – Leuven & Brussels (KU Leuven and EU Institutions, Belgium)
The second week shifts focus to Europe’s role in global governance, covering topics such as:
European identity in a changing global order
EU external action and gender equality
Global trade governance and supply chains
Migration, populism, and EU foreign policy
Sustainability governance amid global disruptions
The governance of emerging domains such as outer space
Participants will also take part in study visits to key EU institutions in Brussels, including the European External Action Service and the European Parliament, as well as the House of European History, providing firsthand exposure to European policymaking.
A Unique Learning Experience
This intensive programme combines:
High-level academic lectures
Direct engagement with policymakers and institutions
Intercultural exchange with an international cohort
Experiential learning through field visits and group work
Participants will collaborate in group discussions and present their work at the end of the programme, fostering both academic and professional skills.
Organising Institutions
This programme is delivered by a world-class consortium, including:
Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, University of Leuven
Hitotsubashi University
The Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University (SNU-GSIS)
Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals – IBEI (Spain)
Apply Now
Join us for a transformative academic experience that bridges Europe and Asia, connects you with a global network of peers, and deepens your understanding of today’s most pressing global challenges:
