The question of “What is the European Union?” has raised much debate in Europe and the world over the years, despite the European Commission’s answer.

To increase awareness and perhaps to answer the EU’s identity question, the Yonsei-SERI EU Center is hosting EU Week, an academic event designed to increase student knowledge about Korea’s most important trading bloc.

The event is expected to bring together a large number of students from Yonsei University and other educational institutions to participate in the events.

The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation Tomasz Kozlowski, the chief negotiator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and numerous professors from Yonsei University, are expected to participate as judges and guest speakers.

Running from today until May 20, EU Week will hold an EU Student Leadership Debate, a Mock EU Summit and an EU Essay Contest.

In the leadership debate, students will debate various topics regarding the European economy, politics and Korea-EU relations.

On May 16, six previously submitted essays will be selected for the last stage of a writing competition. From there, the six writers must present their work for the final round on May 20.

Topics include the Korea-EU free trade agreement, politics, law and economics.

In the Mock Summit on May 20, participating students will be given the task of studying and solving the various issues that the 27 member states of the European Union face.

They will then participate in a mock summit where they will discuss the topic from the standpoint of their respective nations. Their understanding of the agenda, negotiation skills, presentation, and eloquence will be tested.

There will also be cultural events, special lectures and exhibitions.

Founded in 2009 with the support of the European Commission, and operated by Yonsei University and the Samsung Economic Research Institute, the center’s aims are to raise awareness of the European Union across all sectors in Korea as well as East Asia, and establish a major hub for promoting EU-related research education and outreach activities while extending programs for students and scholars.

For more information, call (02) 2123-8156, email euweek.eucentre@yonsei.ac.kr or visit www.yonseri.org.

By Yoav Cerralbo yoav@heraldcorp.com)