The Schuman Centre for European Studies - English language

In episode 62 of Schuman Talks, host Jeff Fountain speaks with Dr Taras Dzyubanskyy about a crucial question for the future of the continent:
What can Europeans learn from Ukrainians fighting for their freedom, sovereignty, and identity?

As Ukraine continues to resist Russia’s invasion, the country’s struggle has revealed not only military determination but also deep moral, civic, and cultural resilience. This conversation explores how Ukraine’s experience challenges many assumptions in Western Europe about freedom, democracy, identity, and the moral foundations of society. [...]

Schuman Talks with Taras Dzyubanskyy: What Can Europe Learn From Ukraine? In episode 62 of Schuman Talks, host Jeff Fountain speaks with Dr Taras Dzyubanskyy about a crucial question for the future of the continent:What can Europea...

In this episode of Schuman Talks, host Jeff Fountain speaks with Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyy and Dr. Anatolii Babynskyi of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv about the enduring relevance of the social and political thought of Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky (1865–1944) — one of the most influential moral and spiritual leaders in modern Ukrainian history.

Schuman Talks (episode 61) - Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyy, Dr. Anatolii Babynskyi In this episode of Schuman Talks, host Jeff Fountain speaks with Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyy and Dr. Anatolii Babynskyi of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv ...

Dear schumanites, for the last Schuman Talk of 2025 we have the honor of being joined by Prof. Philip McDonagh in a dialogue about his role in peace making, the role that religion can play in peace building and building cohesion in divided communities and other related topics.
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Professor Philip McDonagh is Director of the Centre for Religion, Human Values and International Relations at Dublin City University. He was the Irish Ambassador to India (1999-2004), the Holy See (2004-2007), Finland (2007-2009), Russia (2009-2013) and the OSCE (2013-2017). Prior to these positions, he was Political Counsellor in London involved in the Northern Ireland peace process in the build-up to the Belfast Agreement.

Schuman Talk (episode 59) - Philip McDonagh Dear schumanites, for the last Schuman Talk of 2025 we have the honor of being joined by Prof. Philip McDonagh in a dialogue about his role in peace making, ...

In the November episode of the "Schuman Talks" series, we dive into the subject of how understanding religion plays an important part in peace making. Host Jeff Fountain is joined by Dr. Douglas Johnston in a conversation that starts from the book "Religion, the missing dimension of statecraft" and is then joined buy questions like:

is there sufficient common ground for the major religions to work together?
what role can spiritually-motivated individuals play in conflict resolution?
In the US, Russia and other countries in between, religion – far from being a conciliatory factor – is in the forefront of political turmoil. What has gone wrong??
Can the spiritual or religious factor play a positive role in Ukraine’s struggle for freedom, identity, sovereignty and peace?
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While the story of the origins of the EU usually focus on the political and economic dimensions, what is usually forgotten is the spiritual or religious dimension in making reconciliation possible between the French and the Germans – without which European integration would never have happened.

The Franco-German reconciliation features in the 1994 book, "Religion, the missing dimension of statecraft", as a prime case study showing how religious or spiritual factors can play a key role in resolving conflict.

Dr. Douglas Johnston is co-editor of the influential book, ‘Religion: the missing dimension in statecraft’. He is the acknowledged father of faith-based diplomacy, and founder of the International Centre for Religion and Diplomacy. He holds a doctorate in Political Science from Harvard University. He was the youngest officer in the navy (aged 27) to qualify for command of a nuclear submarine. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy and has engaged in peacemaking in Sudan, Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Colombia and Saudi Arabia.

Schuman Talk (episode 58) - Doug Johnston In the November episode of the "Schuman Talks" series, we dive into the subject of how understanding religion plays an important part in peace making. Host J...

In the October episode of the Schuman Talks we travel virtually to Riga, Latvia. Our guest, Ineta Lansdowne shares stories from her experience as the official guide of the Museum of Occupation of Latvia, in Riga, the history of the museum and thoughts about how the Ukraine war has made the museum disturbingly relevant.

Ineta Lansdowne works in the Education Department at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. It includes guiding tours for local and foreign visitors, among them foreign diplomats and government officials. In a unique way, the current work combines interest in history and geopolitics, Master of Theology and years of working in Christian cross-cultural organizations.

Schuman Talks (episode 57) - Ineta Lansdowne In the October episode of the Schuman Talks we travel virtually to Riga, Latvia. Our guest, Ineta Lansdowne shares stories from her experience as the officia...

Refresh your mind, body and spirit on the Swedish coast this summer during the Masterclass "The Gospel and the Making of Europe", July 22-27th.

In the relaxed setting of the YWAM Restenäs community, you can walk with Jeff and Romkje Fountain together each morning through the story of how Europe was shaped by the message of Jesus.

Through talks, films and discussions, we will trace how creative minorities shaped our society through the centuries into the modern age:

* creating hospitals and universities
* inspiring art and music
* promoting human rights, freedom and democracy
* European integration
* and even the implosion of communism.

Afternoons will be free for recreation and relaxation.
Evenings will offer time for films, discussions and social interaction.

Tuition fees: €225 including food and housing

Jeff & Romkje Fountain have led summer tours across Europe in the footsteps of creative minorities who shaped Europe through their faith. They live in Amsterdam where Jeff directs the Schuman Centre for European Studies and speaks and writes on issues facing Christians today in Europe. He has written several books including Living as people of hope and Deeply Rooted.

Info: Bo Rudolfsson
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +46 70-580 93 92

We invite you to the 6th in a series of 9 events exploring the role of faith in shaping Amsterdam’s story from then 13th to the 21st century. This is part of the 750 year celebrations of the city or "750 jaar Geloof in Mokum (750 years of faith in Mokum (Amsterdam)). These events are in Dutch only. They have been held in historic locations in the city of Amsterdam, starting with the Oude Kerk, the oldest building in the city. This next event on 29 June, looks at the 18th century and how reason, which was seen as a support to faith in the 17th century, is now turned against faith so that the non-rational is rejected. This gives rise of scepticism, deism, agnosticism and eventually secularism.

This century is a key phase of the process of secularization in Europe and the story of Amsterdam is a microcosm of the bigger story. While in the 17th century, Reformational understanding led to freedom under God, with personal accountability to God a central concept, the 18th century sees freedom uncoupled from accountability to God, freedom without God. What have been the results of that process?

In the remaining three centuries, 19th to 21st, we will see the reactions of rationalism in both romanticism and revival, with faith initiatives sprouting like grass through the concrete: The Reveil of the 19th century; Abraham Kuyper and Catholic Social Thinking of the 20th century; the vibrant migrant churches of the 21st century… and the failure of secularism to offer satisfactory answers to questions about the meaning of life.

This month’s Schuman Talk, Friday, May 9, 6pm, goes out exactly seventy-five years after the original ‘Schuman Talk’, the speech that has shaped all of our lives. EUROPE DAY, MAY 9, commemorates the SCHUMAN DECLARATION presented on this day in 1950 by Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, the birth of the process of European integration which has led to the present European Union.

This three-minute speech, which laid the foundation for the ‘community of peoples’ in which today 500 million Europeans live together in peace, proposed that former enemies would cooperate for the rebuilding of Europe. Rooted in the Christian values of human dignity, human solidarity and commitment to the common good, Schuman’s plea for reconciliation, mutual accountability and cooperation have enabled seven decades of peaceful development.

In today's episode, Jeff Fountain, the initiator and host of the Schuman Talks Series explains why the "Schuman Declaration" was significant 75 years ago and again now, more than ever! The message is a preview of the talk he will present in a European Parliament gathering with 100 invited guests and several MEPs on May 15.

Today in Warsaw at 19.30, we will hold the public commemoration of the Schuman Declaration in Holy Trinity Lutheran church, during the "State of Europe Forum". The forum is held annually on Europe Day, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, the recognized birthdate
of what has become the EU. It is held in the capital of the country holding the presidency of the EU, and this year it is the city of Warsaw, Poland.

The aim is to evaluate Europe today in the light of the vision of EU Founding Father, Robert Schuman, for Europe as a ‘community of peoples deeply rooted in Christian values’: equality, freedom, solidarity and peace. The State of Europe Forum offers dialogue among believers from different nations and denominations on this and related questions.

The forum is open for politicians, church leaders, civic leaders, educators, academics, media specialists, activists, and all concerned with the future of Europe. It aims to result in an action agenda for politicians, voters, churches, organizations and individuals.

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We are also happy to announce there is a special revised edition of the book "Deeply rooted. The forgotten vision of Robert Schuman" (Jeff Fountain) that has been released for the 75th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.

To order "Deeply Rooted" or if you have any questions about the book: [email protected].
We will connect with you as soon as possible.

Schuman Talks (episode 52) - Special 75 years edition This month’s Schuman Talk, Friday, May 9, 6pm, goes out exactly seventy-five years after the original ‘Schuman Talk’, the speech that has shaped all of our l...

Happy Europe day!

EUROPE DAY, MAY 9, commemorates the SCHUMAN DECLARATION presented on this day in 1950 by Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, the birth of the process of European integration which has led to the present European Union.

This three-minute speech, which laid the foundation for the ‘community of peoples’ in which today 500 million Europeans live together in peace, proposed that former enemies would cooperate for the rebuilding of Europe. Rooted in the Christian values of human dignity, human solidarity and commitment to the common good, Schuman’s plea for reconciliation, mutual accountability and cooperation have enabled seven decades of peaceful development.

What happens to peace and freedom, however, when these roots are ignored? Democracy, human rights, religious freedom, security, social harmony and the dignity of life are all under threat in Europe today because our roots have been neglected. What role can the faith community in Europe today play in recovering foundations for sustainable, just and flourishing societies?

On April's episode of the Schuman Talks, host Jeff Fountain is joined by Iryna Kapitonova (Kyiv, Ukraine), Sasha Volyanyk (Ternopil, Ukraine) and Alex Akimoff (Oregon, USA) for a difficult but much needed conversation about "Ukrainians under fire. Finding hope under tyrannical oppression".

Schuman Talks (episode 51) - Iryna Kapitonova, Sasha Volyanyk, Alex Akimoff On April's episode of the Schuman Talks, host Jeff Fountain is joined by Iryna Kapitonova (Kyiv, Ukraine), Sasha Volyanyk (Ternopil, Ukraine) and Alex Akimof...