Students from across the University of Westminster visited the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom (EU Delegation) for an insightful Q&A session with diplomats on British and European international relations.
On 19 March, Westminster students gathered at London’s Europe House for a visit to the EU Delegation. The event was organised by Dr Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén, Reader in Politics and International Relations at Westminster, and Amber Atilgan, second-year Psychology BSc Honours student and President of the University of Westminster European Affairs Institute.
The visit was attended by a wide range of students, from undergraduates across a variety of disciplines to postgraduate students on several Politics and International Relations MA courses, including the International Relations MA, Diplomacy and Global Politics MA and Global Development MA.
Westminster students and colleagues with Felix Fabiny (left) and Elias Centellas (right)
Students were welcomed to Europe House by diplomats Elias Centellas and Felix Fabiny, who hosted the interactive Q&A session and emphasised the role of younger generations in shaping the EU’s future. The first half of the session focused primarily on EU international relations and foreign policy, before focusing more specifically on EU-UK relations.
Throughout the session students asked questions on EU foreign policy, its challenges, EU’s engagement strategy with young adults, the future of international exchange programmes and long-term geopolitical relations with the UK, United States, Asia and Africa. Final-year and Master’s students writing their dissertations also had the invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into their research questions from diplomats working in the field.
Elias Centellas and Felix Fabiny leading the discussion.
About the visit Lucrezia Zito, final-year Digital Media, Public Relations and Advertising BA Honours student and member of the European Affairs Institute, said: “Visiting the EU Delegation was both inspiring and grounding. As someone who aspires to contribute to the EU’s work, particularly in the field of behavioural insights, this experience was deeply energising. Being part of the European Affairs Institute enables me to step beyond the intellectual ‘bubble’ I sometimes build around my specific interests and engage with a broader range of ideas and perspectives. It’s a powerful reminder of the value of lifelong learning—an idea I’ve come to truly appreciate. Listening to people who drive positive, large-scale change every day and observing how they communicate and carry themselves was not only insightful but profoundly motivating for someone like me who hopes to make an international impact.”
Dr Frennhoff Larsén commented: "It’s great for our students to meet and engage with professionals who work on the very issues they discuss in class, and we are very grateful to the EU Delegation for offering this opportunity. The students posed brilliant questions, which stimulated discussions on some of the most challenging issues facing the EU and the world today."
This visit directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Politics and International Relations courses at the University of Westminster.
Learn more about opportunities at the University of Westminster European Affairs Institute.
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