On 11th and 12th March, debates in the “European Dialogue” series are held at the University of Warsaw. The theme of this year’s meetings is research and information in the face of war.

In 2022, the French Institute in Paris launched a series of public debates entitled “In the Face of War – European Dialogue”. This year, the University of Warsaw is hosting some of the meetings.

The debate addresses the disruption that the war in Ukraine has caused to the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and information. Participants discuss what part of history the countries of Europe share, what narratives on the European integration are present in Riga, Madrid, Sarajevo or Dublin, and what historical figures and events emerge in discussions about Europe.

The inauguration of the debates is attended by representatives of the authorities of the University of Warsaw as well as Etienne de Poncins, Ambassador of France, Prof. Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and Aurélien Lechevallier, Director General for Globalisation at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The debates have an international character, with approximately thirty experts from Europe taking part. This year’s “European Dialogue” is organised by the French Institute and units of the University of Warsaw: the Centre for French Culture and Francophone Studies, the Centre for Europe, and the Interdisciplinary Team for Cooperation UW–EHESS.