Last week, we kicked off the new term of the GPRG EU Academy by welcoming 32 talented fellows from over 15 different nations.

Bahadir Sirin, President of Global Policy Research Group, opened the event by highlighting the Academy's central mission: addressing Sweden's underrepresentation in EU institutions and empowering more Swedes to step into influential EU roles.

Our Co-Executive Directors, Szymon Szacht and Isac Larsson, walked everyone through an exciting program overview, from expert lectures and embassy visits to social gatherings and policy workshops.

Franziska Wieck and Eskil Jonsson shared insights into our planned visits to embassies and key EU institutions. They explained how these visits will help fellows understand the EU's diplomatic engagements with different nations and provide practical insights into the complex world of international diplomacy.

Christian Maurice BISSINGER and Maria Lafazani detailed the Academy’s unique policy component, explaining how fellows would gain hands-on experience in policy writing, advocacy, and public speaking. These are highly sought-after skills in the policy world—rarely taught at universities—giving our fellows a clear advantage.

Fabrizio Costantino Barberini captured the energy of the day through his lens, ensuring that the Academy’s journey is documented and shared with a wider audience.

To close the evening, we played an ice-breaking game to deepen connections and set a collaborative tone for the journey ahead.

We're off to a fantastic start. The adventure begins now!