FUCE Summer School: 29 June – 3 July 2026

From Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July 2026, the Université Catholique de Lille will host the seventh edition of the Summer School European Humanism in the Making, organised by the Federation of Catholic Universities in Europe and Lebanon (FUCE), in partnership with the University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp (UCSIA) and with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.

A theme as the heart of contemporary European challenges

Following last year’s exploration of the impact of populism on the foundations of European humanism, the 2026 edition will bring together around thirty students from across Europe, Lebanon and Ukraine to reflect on the construction of peace in an international context shaped by conflicts, geopolitical tensions and social divisions.

Through the theme “European Humanism in the Making of Peace“, this Summer School will explore how European humanism can contribute to fostering a renewed culture of peace, grounded in dialogue, solidarity, justice and cooperation. Building on the discussions held in 2025, participants will be encouraged to move beyond analysing the causes of division and towards identifying concrete solutions for building a shared future.

The programme is structured around five thematic modules, each led by academics from partner universities:

• Contribution of History to European Consciousness
• Literature, the Arts, Translation & European Identity
• European Enlightenment and the Islamic Heritage
• European Social Humanism
• Civic Engagement in Action

The programme will also be enriched by two public evening lectures, open to a wider audience and dedicated to major contemporary European issues.

An active and intercultural learning experience

Throughout the week, students will take part in lectures, collaborative workshops, group projects, collective reflection exercises, creative writing activities and a simulation exercise focused on European decision-making processes. The programme also includes visits to Lille and the Flanders Fields in Ypres, a symbolic site of remembrance of the World Wars and of peace-building in Europe.

These activities are designed to provide an immersive learning experience, combining intellectual reflection, intercultural dialogue and the discovery of Europe’s cultural and historical heritage.

A living European project

More than simply a Summer School, European Humanism in the Making is a genuine laboratory of ideas, designed to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds around a central question: how can peace be built and sustained in today’s Europe and in the Europe of tomorrow?

By encouraging a diversity of perspectives and the exchange of experiences, this event helps to educate responsible, critical and engaged citizens, capable of addressing contemporary challenges with creativity and a commitment to the common good.

A dedicated academic team

Once again, the 2026 edition brings together a highly committed academic team. Among them, several lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Law of the Université Catholique de Lille play an active role in the success of the programme.

Programme Coordinator

• Barbara SEGAERT – UCSIA, Antwerp, Belgium

Module Coordinators

• Sarah DURELLE-MARC – Faculty of Law, Université Catholique de Lille, France
• Fernando ARIZA – Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
• Peter HANENBERG – Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal
• Paolo MONTI – Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
• Ali MOSTFA – Catholic University of Lyon, France
• Michael SHORTALL – St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, Ireland
• Aurélien RACCAH – Faculty of Law, Université Catholique de Lille, France

Guest Speakers

• Erik DE BOM – University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp (UCSIA), Belgium
• Louis DE CARBONNIERES – Université Catholique de Lille, France
• Jasna ĆURKOVIC NIMAC – Catholic University of Croatia, Croatia

Together, they embody a shared vision: to provide an open and intellectually rigorous educational experience, grounded in dialogue between disciplines, cultures and perspectives, and dedicated to fostering renewed reflection on the future of Europe and the building of peace.

PROGRAMME