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European triangle trip: Brussels – Luxembourg – Strasbourg



The group in Strasbourg



It all started on May 7th 2011 at 10am in front of the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels, the first corner of the European triangle. I met with about eight other participants of the trip to discover the European institutions in Brussels. However, even with such a small group it was difficult not to lose each other in the overcrowded buildings. I definitely liked the Council best as we had a great tour and I got a nice 'petite poche' for my mobile; the Berlaymont was more like a huge playground for children; the EESC and Committee of the Regions at least had some punch to offer but way too many small stands; and I was simply too tired at the end of the day for the Parliament. First day summary: What the hell am I going to do with all of these flyers and pens?!

Free Will Vs. Determinism

Following the train of thought from our previous meeting on religion, last Friday at the Science Café the topic for debate was determinism vs. free will. The person in charge of waking up our sleepy Friday afternoon brains was Mantas with an introduction to the main positions on this issue (hard and soft determinism, libertarianism, fatalism) and their implications for rationality and moral responsibility.

Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy*: Finding the enchanted forest of Hallerbos

Actually, we had been searching for Sumo Wrestlers. Majestic bronze statues that used to stand on the Place Guy d'Arezzo, with green parrots fluttering around their enormous bodies. But they had vanished. All that was left were the nests of the parrots in the trees.

The Schuman Trophy: blood, sweat and tears

On 7-9th and 14-15th May, the 15^th annual Schuman Trophy took place - the ultimate, world famous football tournament of the European institutions. This year the event brought together 26 teams, representing Directorates General and services of the European Commission, as well as the Council, the European Parliament, the stagiaires, the UN and other international organisations, all locked in a fierce battle to become number one.

Speak Up! Conference: Take a hard look in the mirror

The Speak Up Conference 'Freedom of expression and media in the Western Balkans and Turkey', organised by DG Enlargement on Friday May 6th, was an impressive conference. Impressive in the number of people who participated, impressive in the seriousness with which the topic was approached and impressive because of the dark picture it presented of media freedom, not only in the Western Balkans and in Turkey but also in EU member states.