The Schuman Centre for European Studies - English language

On July's Schuman Talk, Jeff Fountain is joined by dr. Christine Schliesser, in a conversation about the significance of religion in global matters and what it means to be a public theologian.

Christine Schliesser is a Senior Lecturer for Systematic Theology and Ethics at Zurich University and Director of Studies at the Center for Faith & Society at Fribourg University, Switzerland. She is also a Research Fellow in Studies in Historical Trauma and Transformation at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Coming from the perspective of Christian theology and ethics, she has a sustained interest in the role of theology and religion in the public sphere (“Public Theology”), and in particular in sustainable development.

Schuman Talk (episode 43) - Christine Schliesser On July's Schuman Talk, Jeff Fountain is joined by dr. Christine Schliesser, in a conversation about the significance of religion in global matters and what ...

On the 838th day of the Russian invasion, Yuriy Kulakevich joins the Schuman Talks again for an update from Ukraine.

Schuman Talk (episode 42) - Yuriy Kulakevich On the 838th day of the Russian invasion, Yuriy Kulakevich joins the Schuman Talks again for an update from Ukraine.Ukrainian Pentecostal Church Foreign Liai...

"Does Europe still need Christianity?". Join us on this month's Schuman Talk, as our host Jeff Fountain and dr. Hendrie van Maanen guide us trough the conversation around this topic and more.

Our guest, Dr. Hendrie van Maanen is a theologian, social geographer, and senior lecturer on European culture and religion at CHE Christian University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands. He also lectures at the Vrije Academie | Kunst & Cultuur/Free Academy|art and culture in Amsterdam (...)

Schuman Talk (episode 41) - Hendrie van Maanen "Does Europe still need Christianity?". Join us on this month's Schuman Talk, as our host Jeff Fountain and dr. Hendrie van Maanen guide us trough the conver...

Schuman Talk (episode 40) - Evert Van de Poll & Jim Memory On the 40th edition of our "Schuman Talks" series, Jeff Fountain is joined by Evert Van de Poll and Jim Memory in the conversation on "Why are European voter...

In this month's Schuman Talk, host Jeff Fountain and guest Richard Kane talk about how Marriage Week started, it's impact over the years and, of course, about how to look after your most important relationship.

Richard Kane is the founder of which aims to come alongside couples who have decided to commit to one another in marriage and say to them ‘how can we support you in that?’.
Richard and his wife Maria (originally from Sweden) have three adult children and live in southern England.

Schuman Talk (episode 39) - Richard Kane In this month's Schuman Talk, host Jeff Fountain and guest Richard Kane talk about how Marriage Week started, it's impact over the years and, of course, abou...

On the first edition of the Schuman Talks of 2024, our host Jeff Fountain is joined by Florica Cherecheș for a conversation on supporting the vulnerable and the role of believers in politics.

Florica Cherecheș was a member of the Romanian Parliament (2012-2020). She currently serves as president of the National Authority for the Rights of the Disabled People, Children and Adoptions and as the president of the National Women Organization of the National Liberal Party. Prior to this, she was a City Council member and the deputy mayor of her town, Oradea. Her political career has been very much focused on supporting the vulnerable, supporting families, and promoting entrepreneurial and vocational training.

Schuman Talk (episode 38) - Florica Chereches On the first edition of the Schuman Talks of 2024, our host Jeff Fountain is joined by Florica Cherecheș for a conversation on supporting the vulnerable and ...

"What is the job of a peacemaker? How does the Gaza situation affect the public mood in Luton/England in general? How should Christians be responding?". Schuman Talks host, Jeff Fountain, is joined by this month's guest, Pete Adams, to dive into a conversation around these questions and the topic of "Keeping the peace".

Schuman Talk (episode 36) - Pete Adams "What is the job of a peacemaker? How does the Gaza situation affect the public mood in Luton/England in general? How should Christians be responding?". Schu...

Join us today, at 6pm CET, for this month's Schuman Talk. June's edition touches on the subject of "Defending religious freedom", with our special guest, dr. Ján Figeľ, former EU Special Envoy for promotion of freedom of religion (2016 - 2019).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGFsUUGF7Yk&ab_channel=SchumanTalks

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.

To mark this day, we have a special edition of the Schuman Talks, with thoughts on "Overcoming Russia's tragedies" from our guests:

Dr. Andrej Zubov, Russian historian, religion scholar and political scientist.

Dr. Evert Van de Poll, a retired but active theology professor and senior researcher with the Schuman Centre.

Dr. Jan Figel. former EU Special Envoy for promotion of freedom of religion, between 2016 - 2019.

Schuman Talk (episode 33) - Andrej Zubov 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 proces...

"Maidan Square in the heart of Kyiv is these days a blaze of red, yellow and purple tulips. They are a gift from The Netherlands to show support and appreciation to a nation under attack...."

Weekly Word May 6, 2023 Maidan Square in the heart of Kyiv is these days a blaze of red, yellow and purple tulips. They are a gift from The Netherlands to show support and appreciation to a nation under attack. Alyona, who faithfully translates Weekly Word into Ukrainian and Russian, sent me the photos above, s...

The State of Europe Forum 2023 is starting! Join us live, on youtube, for the first public plenary "Moments of Grace?". The panel will include reflections on the role of faith and religious freedom in post-war reconciliation, European integration and the current Ukraine conflict.

Speakers: Rev Mats Nyholm, Olof Edsinger, Jeff Fountain, Ruth Nordström, Dr Evert Van de Poll, Tunne Kelam,

MOMENTS OF GRACE? Reflections on the role of faith and religious freedom in post-war reconciliation, European integration and the current Ukraine conflict. Rev Mats Nyholm, Olof...

State of Europe Forum 2023 is starting tomorrow! If you cannot make it to Stockholm, you can still watch the public plenaries of the Forum live, on our youtube channel.

http://tiny.cc/soef23

"What an intriguing city Stockholm is to explore!

This week I began to discover one of the best-preserved medieval districts in Europe, the Gamla Stan or Old Town, with its cobbled pedestrian streets, picturesque alleys strangely reminiscent of Malta’s Valletta, and its famous royal palace, one of the largest castles in the world. Gamla Stan is one of fourteen islands over which the city is spread, connected by 57 bridges. Or by many of the ferries plying their way around the harbour in water that is so clean you can drink it....."

Weekly Word April 14, 2023 What an intriguing city Stockholm is to explore! This week I began to discover one of the best-preserved medieval districts in Europe, the Gamla Stan or Old Town, with its cobbled pedestrian streets, picturesque alleys strangely reminiscent of Malta’s Valletta, and its famous royal ...

"Imagine a military cemetery with rows and rows of little white electric chairs marking the graves of the fallen.

Or hospitals and pharmacies displaying neon-lit electric chairs to welcome those seeking medical relief and healing......"

Weekly Word April 8, 2023 Imagine a military cemetery with rows and rows of little white electric chairs marking the graves of the fallen.  Or hospitals and pharmacies displaying neon-lit electric chairs to welcome those seeking medical relief and healing.  Or first-aid stations and ambulances embellished wit...

On Easter Sunday, host Jeff Fountain talks with dr. Henrik Syse on "Prospects of Peace"

Dr. Henrik Syse is research professor at the Peace Research Institute of Oslo. For a full six-year term (2015-20), he was a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, deciding on the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was speaker at the State of Europe Forum in 2017 in Malta and will contribute by video to this year's forum in Stockholm, May 5&6. He lectures on both sides of the Atlantic and is co-editor of 'Religion, war and ethics', 'World religions and norms of war', 'Ethics, nationalism and just war', author of many articles and associate editor of the 'Journal of Military Ethics'. He is the son of a former Prime Minister of Norway, and teaches bible class.

Schuman Talk (episode 32) - Henrik Syse On Easter Sunday, host Jeff Fountain talks with dr. Henrik Syse on "Prospects of Peace"Dr. Henrik Syse is research professor at the Peace Research Institute ...

"Exactly fifty years ago this week, a young Dutch woman registered a new organisation in the Netherlands aimed to launch youth into global mission.

The Dutch name was Jeugd met een Opdracht, in English: Youth With A Mission....."

Weekly Word March 25, 2023 Exactly fifty years ago this week, a young Dutch woman registered a new organisation in the Netherlands aimed to launch youth into global mission. The Dutch name was Jeugd met een Opdracht, in English: Youth With A Mission. For some, mobilising untrained young people was irresponsible...

"On a recent interview with a Christian radio station in England I was asked to choose a song to play.

I chose a golden oldie, ‘The Servant King’, by popular English song-writer Graham Kendrick. For three reasons......"

Weekly Word March 18, 2023 On a recent interview with a Christian radio station in England I was asked to choose a song to play.  I chose a golden oldie, ‘The Servant King’, by popular English song-writer Graham Kendrick. For three reasons. Firstly, I was personally involved when the song was originally re...

"Peace and freedom are constantly recurring themes in Scripture.

Not surprisingly, for they are characteristics of the Kingdom of God. They are God’s purposes for the human race. They are deep longings of the human heart. They are part of what we pray for when we pray the Lord’s Prayer: for God’s Kingdom to come, his will to be done. ....."

Weekly Word March 11, 2023 Peace and freedom are constantly recurring themes in Scripture.  Not surprisingly, for they are characteristics of the Kingdom of God. They are God’s purposes for the human race. They are deep longings of the human heart. They are part of what we pray for when we pray the Lord’s ...

In the 28th edition of the Schuman Talks series, host Jeff Fountain talks with his Vienna-based friend and colleague Bruce Clewett of Kerygma Teams (YWAM’s main interface with the Catholic world), about the life and legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.

Schuman Talk (episode 28) - Bruce Clewett In the 28th edition of the Schuman Talks series, host Jeff Fountain talks with his Vienna-based friend and colleague Bruce Clewett, of Kerygma Teams (YWAM’s ...

"In 600 years, no pope had ever done what Benedict XVI did almost ten years ago. He resigned.

The day after his abdication, I happened to be passing through Cologne among the crowds of visitors to the cathedral, once the world’s tallest structure. The retired pope was waving from a huge photo hanging on a building opposite. One word underneath expressed appreciation on behalf of millions around the world : ‘Danke’...."

Weekly Word January 7, 2023 In 600 years, no pope had ever done what Benedict XVI did almost ten years ago. He resigned.  The day after his abdication, I happened to be passing through Cologne among the crowds of visitors to the cathedral, once the world’s tallest structure. The retired pope was waving from ...

This painting of the Adoration of the Magi, thought to be a Rembrandt copy, fell off the wall of a private home in Rome six years ago.

While repairing the damaged frame, an art restorer realised the painting was an authentic Rembrandt. Most likely it was painted around 1632 in Rembrandt’s studio a short walk from where I sit to write. It depicts Matthew’s story of these Magi, possibly members of an ancient Persian priestly caste, who came to the crude stable where Jesus was born bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh....

Weekly Word December 24, 2022 This painting of the Adoration of the Magi, thought to be a Rembrandt copy, fell off the wall of a private home in Rome six years ago.  While repairing the damaged frame, an art restorer realised the painting was an authentic Rembrandt. Most likely it was painted around 1632 in Re...

On the 27th Schuman Talk, host Jeff Fountain and guest dr. Michael Schluter discuss the issue of reconciliation between North and South Korea from the perspective of the "Schuman plan" for Europe.

Dr Schluter is a social entrepreneur who has pioneered the concept of Relational Thinking and proposed a fresh social model for business relations and international relations based on seeking the welfare of all stakeholders, not simply maximizing profits. He has engaged in restitution initiatives in South Africa, Sudan, Rwanda and Ukraine.

Schuman Talk (episode 27) - Michael Schluter On the 27th Schuman Talk, host Jeff Fountain and guest dr. Michael Schluter discuss the issue of reconciliation between North and South Korea from the perspe...

Join us for this month's Schuman Talk, on the 9th September, at 6.00 pm (CET). We are glad to have dr. Ben Richards guide us through the maze of information about climate change to help us understand our Christian responsibilities in these crucial times.

https://youtu.be/OFn3OdZRHnk

"We must pause to jog our memories about the legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev with his passing this week and his burial ceremony in Moscow today. For his was an essential role in the events that led to the fall of communism and the Soviet Union a generation ago – and consequently the reunification of Germany, the eastward enlargement of the European Union and the freedom enjoyed by literally hundreds of millions of Central and Eastern Europeans today...."

Weekly Word September 3, 2022 We must pause to jog our memories about the legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev with his passing this week and his burial ceremony in Moscow today. For his was an essential role in the events that led to the fall of communism and the Soviet Union a generation ago – and consequently the r...

Join us on Saturday, July 9, at 6PM (CET) with Jeff Fountain and guests dr. Marinela Blaj (Iasi, Romania) and Ineta Lansdowne (Riga, Latvia) for a new Schuman Talk on the topic of "Abusing Language to distort reality".

Post-truth politics is a political culture where true/false, honesty/lying have become a focal concern of public life. Following the Brexit vote and the 2016 US presidential elections, the Oxford Dictionary chose the term ‘post-truth’ as its 2016 international word of the year.

Ineta and Mari are both from post-communist societies, and Ineta worsk in the Occupation Museum in Riga. In this seminar they explore the dangers facing Europeans as influencers abuse language in ways foretold by George Orwell and exposed by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Vaclav Havel. Timothy Snyder warns that ‘post-truth’ is ‘pre-fascist’ .

‘Seeking shalom’ in our fragmented Europe today means standing for truth against conspiracies, for which some evangelicals appear to be susceptible.
https://youtu.be/OFeia-7uBh0