Global governance in practice: EU & UN Summer School 2025
From 16 to 20 June 2025, the Institute of Security and Global Affairs of Leiden University hosted the annual Summer School The European Union, the United Nations and Global Governance in The Hague.
The programme brought together recent graduates, PhD students, and young professionals from a variety of academic backgrounds and nationalities to explore key issues at the intersection of European Union (EU) policy, the United Nations (UN) system, and contemporary challenges to global governance.
A rigorous academic programme
Professor Madeleine Hosli: ‘This Summer School brings together motivated master's and doctoral students to deepen their understanding of regional and global institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations. Based on interactive lectures, visits to international organisations located in The Hague, networking activities and a simulation game, participants actively explore patterns of multilateralism, focusing on the contributions of such institutions to patterns of global and regional peace and stability.’
The Summer School offered a comprehensive and intensive one-week curriculum comprising high-level lectures, thematic seminars, interactive simulations, and site visits to international institutions. The academic content reflected a strong emphasis on the institutional dynamics of multilateralism, the evolving role of the EU within global governance structures, and the interaction between EU and UN mechanisms in addressing global challenges.
Participants engaged with lectures on European integration, challenges to multilateralism and the United Nations, international economic cooperation, fiscal and monetary policy, global and regional climate governance, and the EU’s external relations. Speakers included renowned academics from Leiden University and beyond, such as Professor Madeleine Hosli, Dr. Arash Pourebrahimi, Professor Antoaneta Dimitrova, Professor Irma Mosquera Valderrama, Professor Spyros Blavoukos, Dr. Jaroslaw Kantorowicz and Dr. Joris Larik, among others.
Institutional visits: from theory to practice
A key element of the programme was the opportunity to engage directly with international organisations based in The Hague. Visits to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) provided valuable insights into the functioning of international justice and the legal frameworks underpinning global governance.
Due to the NATO Summit to be held in The Hague, it was not possible to visit the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), but participants received an in-depth presentation on disarmament and non-proliferation by Anne K. Glick, an experienced public affairs officer at the OPCW.
These visits complemented the academic sessions by illustrating the practical dimensions of international cooperation and legal governance.
One participant reflected on the visit to the ICC: 'It was an incredible opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the role the ICC plays in the global justice system. Truly inspiring.'
Simulation exercises and interactive learning
In addition to traditional lectures, the programme incorporated two simulation exercises that enabled participants to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. The first simulation addressed transboundary water governance, while the second focused on Crisis Management and NATO-Russian relations in the Baltic Sea. These sessions stimulated discussion, while enhancing negotiation skills and collaborative learning among students from diverse academic and geographical backgrounds.
A successful edition
The Summer School concluded with sessions on the relations between the EU and the United States, the global role of the G20 and current developments in EU security governance. Participants received a certificate upon successful completion of the programme.
Reflecting on the week, participants expressed appreciation for the academic depth, professional relevance, and international atmosphere of the programme. The combination of theoretical analysis, institutional visits and networking opportunities amongst engaged international graduate-level students made for a highly rewarding experience.
More information
To learn more about the Summer School The European Union, the United Nations and Global Governance, please visit the website.