OXFORD UNIVERSITY

European Affairs Society

© 2005 Oxford University European Affairs Society

ABOUT OUEAS


The Oxford University European Affairs Society is Oxford's non-partisan forum for the discussion of European issues and problems.

The Society aims to foster an understanding of political, social and cultural issues relating to the whole continent of Europe, from the Atlantic to the Urals. The Society does not express opinions of its own, but provides an independent forum for debate and discussion by members and guests.

We organise termly programmes of speaker meetings and social events. We provide a balance between socio-political and cultural events; hence among the many prominent figures of the past terms, we have hosted Sir Edward Heath, Gary Kasparov, Javier Solana, Yehudi Menuhin, Chris Patten, Neil Kinnock and Timothy Garton Ash. Click here for a list of past speakers.

Established in 1991 under the aegis of Professor Peter Pulzer and Dr William (now Lord) Wallace, the OUEAS now has over 2,500 members in Oxford, elsewhere in Britain and overseas. We are one of the largest organisations with such a focus in the United Kingdom.

Speaker Meetings

We invite to Oxford senior politicians, diplomats, analysts, academics, economists, journalists and artists from across Europe. Speeches are usually preceded by a College dinner, open to all members. There are opportunities to question speakers in the discussions that immediately follow speeches, and then to chat more informally over refreshments and a glass of wine.

Social Events

We provide many opportunities for our members to get together, and the Society is renowned for the friendly and relaxed atmosphere at its social events. We organise drinks parties, European film nights, food and drink tastings, national evenings, as well as our Michaelmas ball, Hilary Trip and Trinity garden party.

The Committee

The Society is run by an executive committee consisting of up to sixteen officers. A new committee is elected each term and all members are encouraged to attend the elections. Members may also stand for any post, though for some positions it may be required to have been on the committee for more than one term. You can read more about the committee on the committee page.