We are deeply honoured that the President of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, shot a short video message to all of us European School Alumni and shared it directly with our beloved association Alumni Europae! She states in her message to her fellow alumni that “As alumni, we all have something in common: we grew up sharing cultures, languages and lifelong friendships across borders”. Watch the video for her complete message by click on the document below.
We have all been raised with European values, through our upbringing and education, we share a broader understanding of what Europe and being European really means.
Europe is far more than just about politics or economics. European values include above all, respect for human dignity, human rights, rights for minorities, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law, to name but a few. Europe is about history, shared cultures, and a special way of life.
To paraphrase Jacques Delors, one of President Ursula von der Leyen’s predecessors, we fall in love with more than just a common market. Our values are always inclusive, and bearers of hope; a hope that must be nurtured in order to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow, together. Being European is the conviction that while loving your city, your region, or your country, others are not enemies, on the contrary, they are partners – just as the European motto goes: we are stronger together in diversity.
Let us all be ambassadors to make Europe thrive!
We are extremely proud that “one of us” holds the highest authority in the European Union’s Institutions, and controls the fortunes and the future of our home country, Europe.
Ursula von der Leyen is the first female President of the European Commission in the history of the European Union. Born in Brussels, alumna of the European School of Uccles, she is an Honorary Member of Alumni Europae.
For more information about President Ursula von der Leyen, follow this link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/president_en#timeline