On 13 August the EU Delegation launched the Euromodel programme, for the first time in Uruguay.

This initiative, carried out in the framework of the EU’s public diplomacy, seeks to improve understanding of the European project, its principles, values and policies in third countries, as well as to increase EU ties to future leaders and foster democracy, the rule of law, constructive dialogue, and the development of consensual decision-making processes by bringing local young university students closer to the European institutions.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the programme launch was done online. Uruguayan Vice-President Beatriz Argimon opened the event, showing total support for the programme (and tweeting enthusiastically about it after her opening speech). The Head of Delegation then explained the programme’s framework and the EU’s work in Uruguay and the region. The local representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (who are helping to finance the programme) and the Director of the Centre for Development Studies (CED, who are co-implementing the programme together with the EU Delegation) completed the panel of speakers.

The launch was attended by the media, university professors and a good number of students. It has since been put on YouTube for students who were unable to see it live to be able to see it later.

It must be noted that the programme has capacity for only 50 students, but nearly 200 applicants have already registered, long before the deadline for registration (30 August).