EUNMUTE – Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence
In September 2022, the Institute for European Studies (IES) at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles was awarded the prestigious title of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. This recognition, granted under the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme, reflects the high quality of the Institute’s work and its commitment to promoting excellence in European Union studies and fostering dialogue between universities, civil society, and policymakers.
Since its official launch on 1 September 2022, the Centre of Excellence has been actively conducting teaching, research, and public engagement activities under the theme:
“Un-Muting Europe” (EUNMUTE).
What is EUNMUTE?
The EUNMUTE project explores the European Union’s capacity to amplify the voices of the “muted”—those individuals or groups (including non-human entities) who are often unheard or underrepresented at the national political level.
By investigating how the EU can act as a platform for these voices, the project addresses a central democratic question:
How can the EU contribute to improving the quality of democracy in Europe?
An Interdisciplinary Platform for Change
The EUNMUTE Centre of Excellence is built on an interdisciplinary foundation, bringing together law, political science, political theory, and sociology. It serves as a hub for collaboration among:
- Academics and students
- Policy makers
- Civil society actors
Together, they explore the EU’s role in tackling five of the most pressing societal challenges of our time:
- Safeguarding the rule of law
- Ensuring inclusiveness
- Preserving climate and natural resources
- Fostering a digital future for Europe
- Strengthening democracy
Stay Connected
The Centre’s ongoing activities—workshops, lectures, publications, student events and public dialogues—are shared through:
- The IES newsletter
- The UCLouvain Saint Louis Bruxelles website
- Social media platforms
