College of Europe

The College of Europe is an independent university institute of postgraduate European studies with campuses in Bruges, Belgium and Natolin (Warsaw), Poland. It was founded in 1949, making it the world's oldest institution of studies and training in European affairs.

History

The origins of the College date back to the Hague Congress in 1948 when Salvador de Madariaga, a Spanish statesman, thinker and writer in exile, proposed the establishment of a College where university graduates from many different countries, some only a short while before at war with each other, could study and live together.

Related Topics:
Hague Congress - 1948 - Salvador de Madariaga - Spanish - Exile - At war

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A group of citizens from Bruges led by the Reverend Father Karel Verleye were successful in attracting the College to Bruges. Professor Hendrik Brugmans, one of the intellectual leaders of the European Movement at the time, became the first Rector of the College of Europe (1950-1972), decisively shaping its development and nurturing what is still known as the "esprit du Collège".

Related Topics:
Bruges - Karel Verleye - Hendrik Brugmans - European Movement - Rector of the College of Europe

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In the wake of the great changes in Eastern Europe after the fall of Communism and at the invitation of the Polish government, a second campus was opened in 1992, based at Natolin Palace in the southern part of the city of in Warsaw.

Related Topics:
Eastern Europe - Communism - Polish - 1992 - Natolin Palace - Warsaw

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In 1998, former students of the College set up the Madariaga European Foundation.

Related Topics:
1998 - Madariaga European Foundation

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Many former students of the College have gone on to serve as Government Ministers, Members of various Parliaments and Diplomats. For example, Simon Hughes and Nick Clegg, two Liberal Democrat members of the United Kingdom Parliament studied at the College, Nick Clegg having served in the European Parliament prior to his election to Westminster.

Related Topics:
Parliaments - Diplomats - Simon Hughes - Nick Clegg - Liberal Democrat - United Kingdom - Parliament - European Parliament - Westminster

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