A conversation about EU enlargement, Euroscepticism and what actions need to be taken
Besa Shahini, former Minister of Education, Sports and Youth in Albania and 2019 Alumni Achievement Award winner, is the next Henrik Enderlein Fellow. She will spend the next year working together with the Jacques Delors Centre on the European Union enlargement process to the Western Balkans.
We sat down with Shahini to talk about her research on EU enlargement and the upcoming challenges for the EU, such as Euroscepticism.
We also spoke about her memories of Henrik Enderlein, who was her professor during her time as a student at the Hertie School. “I hope to be able to honour Enderlein’s vision of this Europe that is stronger, is united and is able to receive all the countries that are looking forward to joining the EU in the future,” she comments.
Watch the full video below.
Besa Shahini officially took over the fellowship from Dr Johannes Lindner, who continues his work as Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre. Both fellows handed over their position in a public event on 19 September 2023.
About the Henrik Enderlein Fellowship
The Henrik Enderlein Fellowship commemorates the Hertie School’s late president and founder of the Jacques Delors Centre Henrik Enderlein. It is awarded annually to outstanding personalities dedicated to a strong European Union and enables regular research stays at the Hertie School for scholars, policymakers and academics. The fellowship contributes to building networks that bring together stakeholders from science, policy and politics in tackling urgent issues on the European and national agenda. The Henrik Enderlein Fellowship is funded by Stiftung Mercator.