Summer University

Negotiating the Future of “Greater Europe”:
What Challenges for 2040?

 

To mark its 25th anniversary, the Cluny Summer University offers an intensive four-day format, bringing together a select group of participants from across Europe and with diverse professional and academic backgrounds.

The programme is built on a demanding experiential learning approach, combining:

• Simulations based on real-life situations
• Work in multicultural teams
• Exchanges with practitioners and researchers
• Meetings with local stakeholders

Apply now

2026 topic

Negotiating the Future of “Greater Europe”:
What Challenges for 2040?

Why this programme?

What if Europe’s future was shaped less by decisions than by the way they are negotiated? By 2040, Europe will not transform itself through isolated decisions, but through a series of complex, uncertain, and interdependent negotiations. In such environments, agreements are based not only on strong arguments, but also on the ability to:

• understand divergent interests,
• structure disagreements,
• build robust and sustainable solutions

Negotiation is no longer a specialized skill. It is becoming a structuring capability for contemporary societies, at the intersection of political, economic, and institutional challenges.

This summer school is not a course! 

It is a European laboratory dedicated to the negotiation and transformation of Europe by 2040.

A demanding experience to think and act in complexity

Dates

From Thursday 5th July to Saturday 14th 2018

The workshop officially opens on Thursday 5th July at 6 pm (registration from 12 am), departure is on Saturday 14th July in the morning.

This programme is for you if:

• You are an advanced student (Master’s or PhD) or a professional (public sector, private sector, NGOs, European institutions) with an interest in European and international issues
• You are comfortable working in multicultural environments
• You want to develop your ability to act in complex situations

Key criterion: ability to actively engage in a demanding collective dynamic  within a small group of 25–30 participants

 

Why join us?

• Become part of a committed and selective European group
• Work on real and contemporary challenges
• Develop a rare skill: negotiating in complex environments
• Contribute to a collective reflection on Europe in 2040
• Join a demanding and forward-looking European initiative

Programme

Thursday, July 9 – Understanding
Analysis of negotiation systems in Europe, identification of stakeholders, interests, and power dynamics.

Friday, July 10 – Structuring
Development of scenarios and negotiation strategies
Responsible use of AI in diplomatic contexts

Saturday, July 11 – Negotiating
Intensive simulation in multicultural teams

Sunday, July 12 – Evaluating
Debriefing and reflection on key learnings
Presentation of the Cluny Declaration for Europe 2040

Participants will contribute collectively to the drafting of a “Cluny Declaration 2040”, integrating the combined challenges of negotiation, the future of Europe and artificial intelligence.

 

Content:

Participants will be placed in situations closely resembling those faced by public, economic, and diplomatic decision-makers. The objective is to develop sound judgment in real-world conditions, dealing with complexity, pressure, and uncertainty. The programme will enable the development of the following competences:

• Strategic thinking in uncertain environments
• Analytical and structuring skills for complex situations
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams
• Negotiation posture and sense of responsibility
• Diplomacy, mediation, and negotiation

These competences are approached as integrated capabilities that can be directly applied in real-world, demanding contexts.

Participants will explore the ongoing transformations of “Greater Europe”, with a focus on:

• The European Union’s enlargement process
• Interactions between local, national, and European levels
• Political, economic, and institutional constraints
• Managing uncertainty

Working Language

The working language of the programme will be English. A minimum level of B2 is required. A basic understanding of French would be an asset (but not a prerequisite) to facilitate local interactions.

Method

The “Cluny method” is the development of collective intelligence that makes use of interdisciplinarity and plurilingualism. The facilitators will invite the participants to develop their autonomy and their self-learning abilities, to appropriate innovative methods of co-construction based on mutual learning.
Conference, training sessions and working groups will enable you to develop negotiation skills and to gain an overview of the main issues at stake.

How to apply?

Please send your application by email to contact@collegecluny.eu, including:

• A short cover letter
• A CV

Apply now! Application deadline: May 15, 2026

As places are limited, particular attention will be paid to the quality and diversity of selected profiles.

 

Selection criteria

• Born between January 1, 1991, and January 1, 2008
• Candidates’ background, motivation, and ability to contribute to a collective dynamic
• Geographic distribution
• Language proficiency

 

Registration fees

• Registration fee: €280 (includes tuition, visit, accommodation and meals within the Abbey).

Note: Travel expenses are the responsibility of the participants, but bursaries of up to 50% of travel costs up to a maximum of 200 euros are available. When applying, please include an estimate of your travel expenses.
NB: The bursary will be paid after the summer school upon presentation of the corresponding receipts.

 

Official opening on Wednesday, July 8 at 6:00 PM (check-in starting at 4:00 PM); departure on Sunday, July 12 in the early afternoon.

 

Apply now