Bridge the Pond: Bringing Students together to investigate contemporary issues
"Bridge the Pond" is an initiative of the European Parliament Liaison Office. Its goal is to "promote dialogue and an exchange of views among youth on important topics our societies collectively face." The program is bringing CEUTTSS faculty together with students from Blacksburg High School, VA, and King's Hospital School in Dublin Ireland, together over the course of the Spring semester to discuss issues from climate activism and sustainability, to digital citizenship and social media, to study abroad.
On January 28 CEUTTSS Director and Jean Monnet Chair Yannis Stivachtis and Blacksburg High faculty Colin Baker kicked off the series in an online meeting with students and Irish faculty to discuss shared priorities. The Roanoke Times and local NBC affiliate WSLS reported on the event.
In the final session on March 3, 2021, students from Blacksburg and Dublin presented their findings to Stivachtis, Baker and an array of distinguished guests including VA Delegate Chris Hurst and Maria Walsh, Member of European Parliament for Midlands North-West. The European Parliament has made the video available here.
A previous "Bridge the Pond" series brought together students and faculty form Verona, Wisconsin and Espoo, Finland.