Schultag 2026

Jean-Monnet-School Day 2026: Students Engaging in Support of Sustainable EU Raw Materials Policy

On 20 May 2026, the Jean Monnet School Day once again took place at the Europa-Institut of Saarland University in cooperation with the European Documentation Centre (EDC) Saarland. Under the title “The Struggle for Raw Materials – Securing Raw Materials in the European Union”, more than 80 students explored the challenges of ensuring a sustainable and secure supply of raw materials for Europe.

Participants included students from Gymnasium am Rotenbühl Saarbrücken, Günter-Wöhe-Schulen für Wirtschaft, BBZ Sulzbach, and the Technisch-Wissenschaftliches Gymnasium Dillingen. The event aimed to provide young people with a deeper understanding of the importance of raw materials for the economy, society, and European policymaking, while raising awareness of global interdependencies, sustainability, and human rights.

Through a series of interactive workshops, students examined key raw materials such as lithium, palm oil, crude oil, and diamonds. They explored the various stages of global value chains—from extraction and processing to final use—as well as the environmental, economic, and social challenges associated with these resources. Particular attention was given to the role of the European Union in securing critical raw materials and developing sustainable strategies for the future.

Under the guidance of Professor Marc Bungenberg and his team, participants worked in groups to develop solutions and discuss current European Union policies on raw materials. The Jean Monnet School Day is organised within the framework of the Jean Monnet Chair on Secure and Sustainable Raw Materials Law and Policy, held by Professor Bungenberg.

Following the motto “Understanding Europe. Securing Resources. Shaping the Future.”, the event offered students the opportunity to engage with European policymaking in a practical and interactive way while contributing their own perspectives on key challenges for the future. After a lunch break with catering, all groups reconvened for a plenary session to present and discuss their findings.

The Jean Monnet School Day once again demonstrated how European topics can be conveyed to young people in an engaging, interactive, and accessible manner. As such, the event makes a valuable contribution to civic education and to fostering a stronger sense of European awareness among younger generations.