Europe: Student Associations From 10 Universities Gathered in Warsaw

Manon Delporte, a student at Sciences Po’s Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) and Co-President of Sciences Po Nations Unies (SPNU) attended the CIVICA Student Association Forum in Warsaw. She shared her tree-day experience as a Sciences Po student but also a future European leader.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to experience the CIVICA Student Association Forum which was held by the SGH Warsaw School of Economics from 23 to 25 November to represent my association, Sciences Po Nations Unies (SPNU). 

In my view, CIVICA represents a pivotal and pioneering European academic platform that ignites collaborative projects and initiatives. I strongly advocate for such endeavours as imperative in Europe to amplify cooperation and tackle pressing challenges such as conflict resolution, environmental sustainability, and social issues.

Founded in 2019, CIVICA is an alliance of ten leading social science and business universities across Europe aiming at developing the European university of the future. This Student Association Forum has brought together engaged and passionate peers from all the CIVICA alliance to build joint students projects.

Day 1: Trip to Warsaw & Welcoming Session

On 23 November, I took the plane with 9 of my peers from Sciences Po from Paris to Warsaw. It was the occasion to meet new people and talk about our respective associations and projects. From sports to art, diplomacy and entrepreneurship, the associations represented the incredible diversity of student initiatives from Sciences Po.

After a two-hour flight, we arrived in Warsaw and started visited the “Phoenix city”. At 5pm, we were welcomed in the SGH Warsaw School of Economics for the Opening of the Forum. It was the occasion to meet all the associations represented from the other 9 universities, as well as to know more about the CIVICA alliance. 

The session was followed by a visit of the SGH University and its beautiful 1930 library, as well as by a social integration event organised by the SGH student’s union. 

Day 2: Presentations & Workshops

We began the second day of the Forum with opening words from SGH representatives, which were followed by presentations of some student initiatives from Bocconi University, Central European University, the European Institute, the Hertie School and IE University. These presentations really inspired me to build similar projects and partnerships with European associations. 

After this enlightening session, we were divided into multiple groups to attend professional workshops. I had a first workshop on Teamwork and Leadership skills dispensed by JP Morgan, which was based on a Desert Survival exercise. This intriguing exercise gave me interesting tools for negotiation and conflict management and increased my teamwork skills. This session was followed by a second workshop on communication skills which targeted public speaking as well as active listening. 

We finished the day with a traditional Polish dinner and another networking social event.

Day 3: SPNU Presentation & Closing ceremony

After words from CIVICA’s Executive Director, Aurélien Krejbich, it was finally time for me to present Sciences Po Nations Unies’s activities along with my peers from Sciences Po.

As co-president of SPNU, I was thrilled to introduce the activities of my association, which range from Model United Nations conferences and trainings to embassy visits, diplomatic breakfasts and panels. Founded in 2002, SPNU is the leading diplomacy association of Sciences Po, boasting over 400 active members and organising 2 to 6 events per week.

This presentation later fuelled discussion with other international relations students’ clubs for future joint projects. It was also followed by the presentation of other associations from SNSPA, SGH, Stockholm School of Economics and LSE.  The concluding words of SGH students’ union and Deputy Director of International Center marked the end of CIVICA’s Student Association Forum. 

I therefore left Warsaw with lots of new ideas, initiatives, and common future projects to build with other CIVICA student associations in the upcoming months. This enriching experience has not only strengthened the bonds among the various students’ associations involved, but has also contributed to shaping a future in Europe where cooperation and solidarity stand as fundamental pillars of collective success.

Discover all CIVICA's news and stay tuned by subscribing to CIVICA's newsletter.