The Europa Institute, Edinburgh’s world-leading research centre on European integration, has marked its 50th anniversary with a keynote speech by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Ms Sturgeon delivered a speech, entitled Scotland’s Future in Europe, at the University’s Playfair Library on 2 October. I am delighted to wish the Europa Institute a happy 50th birthday. I wish you many more decades of success. And I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead, as we help to shape Scotland’s future as a proud European nation. Nicola Sturgeon First Minister for Scotland The Institute houses a network of scholars working on key issues facing Europe, including law, policy and the working of EU institutions. Proud history The Europa Institute was founded in November 1968, nearly five years before Britain’s entry into the European Community, which preceded the EU. The driving force behind its creation was Prof JDB Mitchell, the first holder of the Salvesen Chair of European Institutions. It began life as the Centre of European Governmental Studies and is the longest-established specialist institute of its kind in the United Kingdom, and one of the oldest in Europe. From the beginning, it brought together several academic disciplines – including law, economics and political science – and encouraged the analysis, teaching and debate of the history and processes of European integration. Ideas exchanged The Institute’s range of events have given policymakers and public figures a platform to make keynote speeches. It has become a forum for the exchange of ideas between governments, EU institutions and leaders from academic, business, legal and other fields. The Europa Institute was designated a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence by the European Commission for 2018-2021. In 2015, it launched European Futures, its academic blog on Europe and European affairs, jointly with the University of Edinburgh. The Institute has played a vital role in providing a platform for public debate about the future of the EU. Many of our graduates have gone on to play key roles in national and international bodies. Through our research, we look forward to contributing to EU debates in the future and offering to our students the opportunity to study EU law and policy at one of the world’s leading universities. Professor Andrew ScottCo-director of the Europa Institute Upcoming events includes the Institute’s annual Mitchell Lecture on 1 November with Koen Lenaerts, President of the European Court of Justice. Related links The Europa Institute European Futures Publication date 03 Oct, 2018
