Colorado European Union Center of Excellence partners CU with Europe

Former President of the European Parliament, Enrique Barón Crespo recently visited the CU campus to speak to faculty and students about Europe's current political situation.

"To teach [students] about my experience and about what we are doing in the European Union can be very useful in the United States," said Barón Crespo.

Barón Crespo's visit was sponsored by the Colorado European Union Center of Excellence (CEUCE). The organization is funded by the EU, which aims to develop an understanding between the U.S. and the 27 EU member-states.

"There are many connections between this region and Europe," said CEUCE Director Joe Jupille. "And often they are taken for granted as people focus more on newly emerging economies."

CU faculty expand on what they teach in the classroom by bringing foreign diplomats to campus, providing students with an insider perspective into the everyday function of the European Union (EU). "This gives the sudents an opportunity to really get first hand information and not just information that one reads on the Internet," said CEUCE Assistant Director Felicia Martinez.

Not only do students have an opportunity to meet with leaders of the EU, but they can study for two weeks to one month in Brussels, home of the EU's headquarters. There, they meet with EU delegates, study how the EU is governed and learn how it compares to the U.S.

Chances, such as this, are rare for college students. CEUCE is one of ten university programs partnered with the EU around the country. The program faced stiff competition when applying for certification, but received its charter in 2008. Since then, CEUCE has had no trouble attracting speakers.

"We respond to opportunities where high-level visitors may be coming to the area," said Jupille. "We're able to take advantage of their presence, and I think CU is a big draw."

The response from CU students, faculty and foreign diplomats shows the success CEUCE has garnered in a short amount of time. "The feedback has been extraordinary... and of course that makes us really happy," said Martinez.

CEUCE hopes to expand its role on campus in the future and will continue to try and attract speakers throughout the year. For more information on CEUCE and a list of events, visit: www.ceuce.colorado.edu.