20th anniversary of the European Humanities University (EHU) celebrated in Stockholm
December 12-13, 2012 events in Stockholm were held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the European Humanities University (EHU) - Belarusian university located in Vilnius. Events were organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden in cooperation with Riksdag and Embassy of Lithuania in Stockholm. Events started on December 12th with a reception at the residency of Lithuanian Ambassador. The reception was attended by members of EHU Governing Board, administration, students, representatives of Swedish MFA, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and diplomatic corps. Lithuanian Ambassador Eitvydas Bajarūnas noted that EHU, as the only university in exile in the world, is a European and transatlantic project which makes a significant contribution to the development of Belarus future. December 13th Ambassador E. Bajarūnas together with EHU delegation visited Uppsala where they attended a seminar on human rights organized by EHU and Uppsala University.
On the same day afternoon a special event took place in the Swedish Parliament attended by Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Hans Wallmark, Head of the Riksdag’s Belarus Network Christian Holms and other MPs. During the event EHU administration and students presented their academic experience in Vilnius.
In the evening a special reception was held where State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation Sofia Strand welcomed EHU delegation and informed about the decision to contribute an extra funding for EHU of 10 million SEK. Members of Riksdag along with representatives of MFA, SIDA, Swedish universities and diplomatic corps attended the reception.
According to the former Secretary General of the Council of Europe and now a Swedish representative in EHU’s Governing Board Daniel Tarchys, EHU perfectly embodies all three identities. It is primarily a Belarusian University. Placed in Vilnius, EHU is a Lithuanian university as well. Finally, as it is encoded in its title, EHU is also a European university.
