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MCC's School of Law hosted its three-day Autumn Academy under the title “At the Crossroads of Europe.” The weekend's discussions placed the goals and tasks of Hungary’s EU presidency into a broader context, addressing the challenges facing European cooperation. Renowned Hungarian legal scholars and leaders involved in the presidency shared their insights on these issues, followed by a debate competition among participating students.

The MCC's School of Law held its weekend Autumn Academy in Esztergom, focusing on the priorities and responsibilities of Hungary’s EU presidency. In his presentation, Lénárd Sándor, Head of MCC's School of Law, explored key turning points in the development of European Cooperation, emphasizing that differing perspectives among nations are part of European identity and serve as a source of continuous inspiration for further collaboration. He highlighted that European institutions should aim to represent, rather than suppress, these differences.

During the panel discussion titled "In the Name of Europe – How Can a Continent Become a Community?", Balázs Schanda, Professor at Pázmány Péter Catholic University and Constitutional Judge, along with István Stumpf, Head of the Center for State Leadership Strategies and Constitutional Rule of Law, emphasized that European Cooperation must not lose sight of its fundamental mission—the purpose for which the member states established and maintain it. Anikó Raisz, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, offered insights into the workings and practical debates of the Environmental Council during Hungary’s presidency. She stressed the difficulty of balancing long-term visions, the strategies to achieve them, and everyday interests in the European political arena. 

Balázs Molnár, Deputy State Secretary for European Policy, outlined the role, execution, goals, challenges, and constraints of the rotating EU Council presidency. He was joined in conversation by Ákos Mernyei, Research Fellow at MCC’s School of Law. 

Students at the Autumn Academy also attended a lecture by Charles Yockey, expert from the Manhattan Institute, on the Administrative State and Bureaucracy. They analyzed the film "L’auberge espagnole" with Szabolcs Nagypál, Head of the Center for Law and Society exploring its themes. The event concluded with a debate competition where students argued whether European autonomy can be achieved and, if so, on what principles it should be based.