The EU’s Quest for Competitiveness: Technology, Geoeconomics and International Power Dynamics
August 4 - 28, 2026
(August 21.24 Vienna)
The course is designed to introduce the complex political and institutional landscape of the European Union. Participants begin with the historical foundations, tracing the EU’s development from the European Coal and Steel Community to a 27-member union, before exploring the institutions and decision-making processes that shape European integration today.
Building on this foundation, the course examines how the EU responds to contemporary global challenges: rising geopolitical competition, vulnerabilities in supply chains and energy, and the race for technological sovereignty in areas like AI, quantum computing, and biotech. Additionally, it highlights the EU’s efforts to promote human rights, its leadership in global climate action, and its role as a normative power—shaping international norms and values in fields such as democracy, rule of law, and sustainability.
By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of EU governance, its challenges, and the innovations now shaping its resilience, competitiveness, and global influence on norms and standards.
Participants will:
- Receive a comprehensive introduction to the structure and evolution of EU governance, with particular emphasis on current challenges and the transformation of policy agendas in response to global power shifts
- Engage critically with topics such as geoeconomic strategy, technological sovereignty, supply chain resilience, the promotion of human rights, climate policy, and the EU’s normative influence in world affairs
- Participate in class discussions, complete readings and assignments, and collaborate on group projects
- Develop soft skills and rhetoric through interactive learning
- Receive 6 ECTS credits for participation in the EU Studies Summer School
Target group:
- Students of all levels with an interest in EU studies, international affairs, global sustainability, or normative power regardless of prior background in the field.
Notice:
November 1st new schedule and syllabus are available. The new one will be very similar to the current version from 2025.
Download Schedule (2026 coming soon) Download Syllabus (2026 coming soon)
