The University’s Dean for Europe Professor Roger Vickerman participated in the European Business Summit (EBS) in Brussels on 22 May.
He was joined by representatives of international law firms Keller and Heckerman and Allen & Overy for an American Chamber in Europe (AmCham EU) /ITN Productions discussion on ‘The Future of the Single Market’. Also joining him were Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU, and Liam Benham, Policy Group Chair of AmCham EU and IBM Europe’s Vice-President for Governmental Programs.
Discussion topics included the commitment of US companies to the European single market and the importance of freedom of movement for workers and students.
Professor Vickerman said: ‘Student mobility is one of the great achievements of the European Union. Studying together enables students from different backgrounds to learn to work together and break down barriers. This ultimately enhances productivity and brings benefits to all of society.’
National representatives at the EBS included: Wolfgang Schauble, German Federal Minister of Finance; Luis De Guindos Jurado, Spain’s Minister of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness; and Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK.
Kent has had a postgraduate centre in Brussels since 1998. With more than 250 students representing 50 nationalities, the Brussels School of International Studies brings together the disciplines of politics, international relations, law and economics to provide in-depth analysis of international problems such as conflict, security, development, migration and the political economy and legal basis of a changing world order.
The University’s other European centres are in Athens, Paris and Rome.