The annual ESU International Relations Conference takes place at Mansfield College, Oxford every August.

Held for over 40 years, this year’s conference is attended by delegates from over 25 countries. Topics of previous conferences have included international politics, terrorism and climate change.

The aim of the Conference is to: 

• give participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge of current affairs
• widen their outlook on world issues 
• offer a unique opportunity to make individual contacts with people from various fields, cultures and backgrounds 

The week ends with a communication skills workshop by the ESU Speech and Debate team.

The ESU also works with the Directory of Social Change to deliver workshops for the delegates throughout the week relating to the relevant themes. 

Testimonials

“All aspects (lectures, tours, theatre, socializing) were so perfectly complementary and balanced. The first part of the conference devoted to international relations, in particular the EU, Eastern Europe and peace keeping forces was particularly intriguing for me, since my country is currently at a very important crossroads, deciding on its future position within the international community, the EU in the first place. What was absolutely amazing and encouraging for me in many ways was the amount of understanding of and the genuine interest for the situation in my country, which both lecturers and participants in the conference clearly expressed. The conversations I had with other participants in the conference (from an amazing number of 23 nations) and lecturers alike were absolutely invaluable. I wish to emphasize the most valuable aspect of this conference and that is the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from so many different cultures, a real treat, and an absolutely invaluable experience that I have already shared with many people upon the return to my country, most of whom have expressed a genuine interest for the ESU ideas. Not only have my expectations been fulfilled, but they have by far been exceeded, for which I thank you all very much in the hope that I will get an opportunity to welcome you and other ESU members at a conference or event in Belgrade, which we could now model on the Oxford experience, an example of an absolutely unforgettable and perfectly organized event.” Nina Vlahovic, Serbia

“I think I will remember this conference as one of the turning points of my life.” Berfu Guven, Turkey. “I knew it would be an interesting week, based solely on the scheduled key-note speakers, but I had no idea how great it would be. With participants from all over the world, from all walks of life, I got to hear and enjoy many differing views, cultures, opinions and backgrounds expressed in one space. From the refreshingly honest 21-year-old Chinese student to the fun-loving Argentinean lawyer, getting a “fresh perspective” on world affairs was never a problem... Beyond the fact that we were all stimulated by huge injections of intellect, and the diverse experiences of both speakers and participants, we also had the city itself to enjoy, with its ancient traditions, classic buildings, clubs, coffeehouses and pubs.” Stefanos Evripidou, Cyprus

Summer Seminar Brochure

View the summer seminar brochure here or right click to download