From March 13th to 16th, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) participated in the latest edition of the EUTopia Peak Event in Legal History, hosted this year at the University of Warwick. This year’s CoLeCo (Connected Learning Community) centered on the theme of Individual and Collective Rights, bringing together students from four EUTopia universities to explore historical and contemporary perspectives on the balance between personal freedoms and communal responsibilities.
We set off for the Peak Event early in the morning, boarding a Eurostar train at Brussels-Midi bound for London. As we traveled beneath the Channel, anticipation grew for the days ahead, and the journey provided the perfect opportunity to connect with each other; since this year’s Brussels cohort had not met properly before. Upon arrival in the British capital, we took the opportunity to immerse ourselves in history, visiting the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum. Walking through the halls of these renowned institutions, we explored centuries of portraits and artifacts that illustrated the evolution of individual and collective identities, perfectly tying into this year’s theme.
As evening fell, we made our way to the train station once more, this time heading to Coventry, the gateway to our final destination: the University of Warwick. We gathered at a restaurant to meet participants from across the different universities: CY Cergy in Paris, France; the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia; Warwick University in the UK; and, of course, our team from the VUB in Brussels, Belgium. The atmosphere was vibrant from the start, with animated discussions, shared excitement, and plenty of laughter as we got to know each other over delicious food. Conversations flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from our research interests to travel stories and first impressions of the event. It was the perfect icebreaker, creating a sense of camaraderie that would carry through the coming days. By the end of the evening, the tone was set: this Peak Event would not only be intellectually enriching but also a truly memorable experience.
Game time! Friday was the day when every student got to present the work in progress on their research. We, the VUB delegation, started our day full of excitement, though, of course, with a healthy dose of nerves. With four universities spread across Europe and a theme like collective and individual rights, it was bound to be a day full of new impressions, and it certainly did not disappoint.
The goal of the research presentations was for each student to showcase their research and receive ‘cross-European feedback & questions’. Questions like: “What kind of sources do you work with? How are archives organised in your country? Where do our legal systems differ, and where do they overlap? How is the academic system organised in your country?” and so on. Sometimes, a simple question can reveal an unexpected issue that gets everyone thinking ! We at VUB were surprised by how different the perspectives of the other students were, even though at first glance, we didn’t seem so different at all. It was incredibly eye-opening.
Here’s one example of how the Collective Learning Community challenged our thinking: In the VUB-delegation we study (among other things) the Belgian Constitution of 1831, an exceptionally progressive constitution that introduced freedoms such as freedom of speech, assembly, and association. A fascinating piece of legal history, no doubt. But what about these rights, which we now see as fundamental, in 19th-century France, the Austrian Empire, or the United Kingdom? This question forces everyone to take a step back and reflect, from a broader comparative European perspective, on the historical foundations of our shared European norms and values. For any law student interested in legal history, this is truly ‘food for thought’. On Saturday, we explored Coventry and took a guided tour of its iconic cathedral, a site rich in history and symbolism. Coventry Cathedral, officially known as St. Michael’s Cathedral, tells a story of destruction and resilience. The original medieval cathedral, built in the 14th century, was largely destroyed during the Coventry Blitz in the second World War when the city was heavily bombed by the Germans.
Rather than rebuilding the ruins, the decision was made to preserve them as a memorial, standing alongside a striking modern cathedral designed by architect Sir Basil Spence. The new cathedral is a masterpiece of contemporary design, featuring stunning stained glass windows, the famous Graham Sutherland tapestry of Christ, and a striking contrast between old and new.
On Sunday, we all woke up tired but very fulfilled from the wonderful trip. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the hotel, said goodbye to the other students and then it was time to go, because we still had an exciting day ahead in London. Without wasting any time, we took the train to the city, ready to make the most of our last day.
After that, we headed to the British Library, a true paradise for any student. Besides a museum, this is also a study place for students with an amazing view of thousands of books. One of the highlights of our visit was seeing a 1225 copy of the Magna Carta. As law students, this immediately piqued our interest. The Magna Carta is one of the most significant legal documents in history, laying the foundation for the rule of law and the protection of individual rights.
Seeing the Magna Carta also made us reflect on the topics we had just discussed during our collective learning sessions. It reminded us that the tension between collective rights and individual rights is not new but it's deeply rooted in history. The Magna Carta itself was born out of a struggle between a king's absolute power and the rights of a group of nobles, eventually influencing the development of individual liberties for all. In a way, it shows how individual rights often emerge from collective action. This moment tied together our trip perfectly, making us realize that the balance between collective and individual rights is still relevant and shapes our societies today.
During this four-day academic event, the focus was not only on knowledge exchange but also on connectedness and cross-cultural exchange. From the very first evening, efforts were made to encourage interaction among participants. At the opening dinner, students were seated next to peers from different countries, which quickly sparked conversations and created an open atmosphere for discussion.
The presentations on the second day further strengthened these connections. The high level of engagement was evident in the thoughtful questions and discussions, both during the sessions and in the breaks. These informal moments provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives on various research topics.
Beyond the academic program, there was also time for social interaction. A shared evening activity helped foster a more relaxed and inclusive group dynamic, making it easier to connect on a personal level. By the final day, during our visit to Coventry, interactions felt natural and effortless, as if we had been working together for much longer.
This event demonstrated that academic gatherings are not only about exchanging knowledge but also about building meaningful connections. Through discussions and shared experiences, we not only broadened our academic perspectives but also developed a strong network of students and researchers with common interests.
We truly enjoyed every moment and highly recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge while building meaningful international connections.
Améline Verhelst
August Vanschoubroek
Blue Vercauteren Trompet
Emma Wittens
Melani Demirel
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