Von Alumni für Alumni: Visit at Europäische Akademie Berli

Idyllically located in a villa in Grunewald, Europäische Akademie Berlin (EAB) provides European political education under the motto “Shaping Tomorrow” for school students, multipliers, representatives from politics, media, science, and the interested public. At the invitation of the director Christian Johann, an alumnus of Freie Universität, and the director of studies Anne Jansen, an alumna, FU alumni visited the academy, learned about its history and current topics and formats of political education, took away many ideas, and exchanged views.

Director of Studies Sofia Eleftheriadi led the tour of the country house, which was built in 1928 by architects Hugo und Otto Schellenberg for the general director of Maggi GmbH, Ernst Schmid. Since 1963, it has been owned by the Europäische Akademie Berlin, which was called Europa Haus Berlin e.V. until it was renamed in 1971. It was founded in 1961 in divided Berlin, at a time of serious political tensions, and was created as a place of exchange to strengthen the European idea. It remains essential and highly relevant today: “In view of global crises, growing populism, war in Europe, and increasing polarization, European political education remains a central element in strengthening democratic structures and common European values,” emphasizes Eleftheriadi.

Currently, 42 people work at the EAB, which serves as both a place of study and a seminar and conference center. The EAB focuses on European politics and international relations against the backdrop of current European and global challenges. The EAB engages with various target groups and enters into dialogue with them through a wide range of political education formats. These include youth education seminars, teacher training courses, international exchange formats and non-European discussion forums, podcasts, study trips, skills training, workshops, conferences, discussion events, and future workshops. Director of Studies Sofia Eleftheriadi provided insights into three of her current projects – “Gish Gallop and Other Challenges,” “Europe is Female,” and “Europe in the Classroom.” She also explained the structures, network structure, and financing of the EAB, including institutional funding from the State of Berlin, project funding from the Federal Foreign Office, partnerships with EU programs, and cooperation with foundations and educational networks. The idea of networking was also a central aspect of the FU alumni visit, allowing some of the participants to immediately incorporate their newly established contacts and acquired knowledge into their own professional practice.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Director of Studies Sofia Eleftheriadi, who led the tour and provided a comprehensive insight into the work of the EAB, as well as to FU alumni Christian Johann, Director of the EAB, and Anne Jansen, Director of Studies.

Are you an alumna or alumnus of Freie Universität and would like to present your place of work? We look forward to receiving your e-mail!