Newsletter October 2025

ACADEMIC EVENT SECTION
#1: The promise and peril of Trump´s America First
Donald Trump’s America First is a response to too much globalisation, too much immigration, and too many wars. But has Trump overcorrected?In this lecture, discussants consider whether a divided America can find the middle ground over foreign policy. The event organised by The London School of Economics and Political Science is part of America’s Changing Role in the World lecture series and occurs at 6:30 p.m. on October 8, 2025. The event can also be followed online.

#2: Forum 2000 Conference
Forum 2000 Foundation, the EPS-associated partner, pursuing the legacy of Václav Havel with the value of democracy and human rights at the lead, organizes the 29th edition of the conference, supporting the foundation and development of civil society in a democratic environment. The conference will take place on October 12-14, 2025, in Prague, and all EPS students are more than welcome. Furthermore, EPS students based in Prague in October will be given the opportunity to actively contribute to the conference if they are interested. Keep posted!

#3: Czech Security Forum 2025
The Peace Research Center Prague wants to invite you to the annual security conference titled “Czech Security Forum 2025: A New Cold War?” The conference will occur on October 22, 2025, at Kampus Hybernská. The detailed information about the conference as well as the registration link can be found here.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EVENT SECTION
Visit the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món
The museum invites visitors to reflect on societies, based on a tangible cultural heritage collection of over 70,000 pieces from all over the world. The aims of the MUEC are to preserve, restore and manage the heritage it safeguards. We document, interpret and disseminate that heritage, with the purpose of enhancing knowledge, making it publicly available, and creating a common ground that fosters reflection and critical dialogue.

CALL
Leadership Workshop
The first-year students can register for the Leadership Workshop. There are still three more places left!

IMPORTANT DATES
#1: Matriculation Ceremony
The matriculation ceremony, formally welcoming newly enrolled students among the academics, will take place on Thursday, October 23. The ceremony starts at 9 a.m. in the Carolinum Great Hall, Ovocný trh 5, Prague 1. All compulsory classes have been cancelled!

#2: Brussels Field Trip
The 2025 edition of the Brussels Field Trip takes place on December 1-2, 2025. The BFT is organized only for 1st-year students. The EPS compulsory classes will be cancelled for the dates of December 1-3. The detailed information and programme will be shared with participants via email later. Let us remind you that travel and accommodation are arranged and covered by students.

HINDSIGHT
#1: Enrollment
The enrollment session for the first-year students tookplace on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Hollar building of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Welcome and good luck with your studies!

#2: 13th International Conference in Honour of the Laureate of the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
The EPS students participated on the conference that occured on October 1, 2025 in Prague. Thank you for your participation.

#3: Excellence and Leadership Award Results
Winners of the 2025 edition of the Excellence and Leadership Award are Juliette Herman, Kateřina Skalová and Leonie Nienhaus. See the details on the EPS website. Congratulations to the winners and thank all applicants for their participation!

READING TIP: Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass (author: Bruno Schulz, PL, 1937)
Published in 1937, Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass is only the second and last volume of Bruno Shulz’s short stories. In it Schulz returns to the characteristic motifs of his work: the everyday life of a provincial Galician town and its impoverished Jewish residents, living a life that is illuminated by the Myth. In the title story the narrator visits his ageing (or is he dead already?) father in a sanatorium – located in a dead-end branch of time.

FREQUENT QUESTION / DO NOT FORGET
Have you recently graduated from the EPS? Do you need confirmation of the finished studies? Please contact the International Office at Charles University (degreeprograms@fsv.cuni.cz) which can issue it for you at once!

Do you have any hints, ideas, or tips for interesting events, calls, books, films, podcasts, etc.? Do not hesitate to reach us at eps@fsv.cuni.cz. Your feedback and contribution are highly appreciated.