Kyushu University EU Centre’s Extension Lecture Series 2025 “Europe - Its Fecundity and Reality”

The Kyushu University EU Centre held the JMCoE-Q Extension Lecture Series 2025, titled “Europe - Its Fecundity and Reality”, over four sessions in July. This was the seventh time the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence–Kyushu has held the Lecture Series, which takes place annually on a variety of topics as part of its outreach activities to promote understanding of the EU among the general public.

The Lecture Series was a great success, with a total of about 400 participants nationwide, both in-person and online. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a hybrid format has become standard practice, and participation from remote locations and overseas contributed to a broad dissemination of information once again. Furthermore, while half of the participants were attending for the first time, many also expressed that they “look forward to it every year”. This indicates that the programme is reaching new audiences while also establishing itself as an initiative to contribute to the community through continuous learning.

In previous Lecture Series, organizers have provided diverse perspectives on the current state and future vision of various challenges facing the EU. This Series broadened participants’ perspective further, exploring Europe’s profound richness through four distinct aspects: international relations, economics, literature, and music. This was a moment to savour Europe—where art and intellect, history and modernity intersect—while exploring not only the historical context and latest developments in politics and economics, but also the traditions and sentiments of its people that live on in its culture and arts.

The lecturers included experts specializing in their respective themes, delivering substantive lectures each session that explored Europe’s attractiveness and challenges from various aspects.
During the Q&A session, many questions were asked both in-person and online, leading to a lively discussion. The organizers are grateful for the active participation of so many people.

Programme
1st Session: 1 July, Prof. Takeshi Yamamoto (Seinan Gakuin University), Europe in the Conflict between the U.S., China and Russia: Post-Cold War Relations between Europe, the U.S., China and Russia, and its Future 
2nd Session: 8 July, Associate Prof. Hiroko Nishida (Kyushu University), The Epoch and Spirit of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 
3rd Session: 22 July, Prof. Yasumasa Oguro (Kyushu University), Showa Centennial and 150th Anniversary of Thomas Mann’s Birth 
4th Session: 29 July, Prof. Kenji Iwata (Executive Vice President, Kyushu University), The Prosperity and Reality Brought by Economic Integration
Special Prologue:  21 May, Mr. Yvan Jablonka, French historian and writer, Repenser les masculinités et les relations de genre avec Ivan Jablonka [Organized by Institut français du Kyushu; co-organized by the KU EU Centre (JMCoE-Q) and Seinan Gakuin University]

Source: Kyushu University EU Centre

Lecturers from top left, Prof. Takeshi Yamamoto; right, Prof. Yasumasa Oguro; Bottom left, Assoc. Prof. Hiroko Nishida; right, Prof. Kenji Iwata.