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The German EU Council Presidency – working for a strong Europe

Strengthening education and research together

On this page you will discover how the DAAD supports good ideas for Europe and why exchange at the level of universities and research is essential for a common Europe. In addition, we have put together a selection of exciting DAAD events and activities in the context of the EU Council Presidency on the key subjects of European cohesion, digitalisation and sustainability.

Junge Europäer mit EU-Flagge

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Europe: a good idea

Europe is a good idea – and Europe needs good ideas for the future. How the DAAD supports this.

Europa is a good idea – and Europe needs good ideas for tomorrow, for a dynamic and successful community. “Together for Europe’s recovery” is the motto under which Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2020. After six months, it will be the turn of Portugal and then Slovenia. Together with Germany, the three countries form a “Trio” that is closely coordinating the work of the Council of the European Union. Important subjects of the future are on the agenda: the fight against coronavirus, economic reconstruction after the crisis as well as major fields of activity such as climate protection, security, refugees and migration, the rule of law and digitalisation. The goal is to make the European community stronger in spite of international crises. Europe is to show greater solidarity and unanimity internally and greater capacity for action, authority and unity in diversity externally. The DAAD supports good ideas for Europe together with the EU – because exchange at the level of universities and research is essential for a common Europe. Only by combining forces can the education and research systems of Germany and Europe overcome global challenges and remain competitive. That is why the DAAD is organising a large number of exciting activities and events during the German EU Council Presidency on the subjects of European cohesion, digitalisation and sustainability.

Hybrid alumni meeting: ideas for Europe
How can the EU and academia respond to urgent challenges? Participants of a hybrid alumni meeting in Berlin and on the Web looked for answers.
Siegfried Muresan: working for Europe
Diversity and compromise: how Siegfried Mureșan, DAAD alumnus and Member of the European Parliament, supports higher education and research.
Strengthening common values
DAAD President Professor Joybrato Mukherjee talks about common European values as a guiding principle of the DAAD’s work
Enormous determination to engage in European exchange
Dr. Stephan Geifes, Director of the National Agency for EU Higher Education Cooperation at the DAAD, on the further development of the European programme.
Education and Science for a strong Europe
In the coming weeks, Germany will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
University of Jena: Blazing new trails
Together with its partners, the University of Jena is setting up a “European university” – in collaboration with civil society, schools and businesses.
Tackling diseases as a team
Scientists around the world are teaming up in research and teaching to search for innovative responses to the major health challenges of our time.
Universities for Europe
The European Commission is promoting the networking of universities Europe-wide with its European Universities Initiative.
Sustainable concepts for Europe
Joint ways of overcoming shared challenges are being developed by European DAAD alumni in national and international ideas labs.
Potsdams digitale Universität
The University of Potsdam is pursuing two new network projects with a view to establishing a digital European university.
Europe on Alumniportal Deutschland
As a result of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2020, Alumniportal is increasing its focusing on the EU and Europe in coming months. You can look forward to exciting reports, events, cultural tips, cartoons and contributions.