The PILC (current LLM in International and European Law) Class of 1993 Reunion took place in Brussels from 26 to 28 May, bringing together an impressive group of 16 PILC alumni from across the globe, some accompanied by their spouses. It was a milestone gathering considering the alumni graduated 30 years ago. The PILC alumni, who graduated from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, were not yet familiar with the alliance that exists today, which combines Vesalius College and the VUB’s Institute for European Studies under the name Brussels School of Governance.
The weekend was expertly organised by alumnus Chris Foreman, with the assistance of Stefaan Smis, a PILC alumnus and former professor in the programme, and alumnus Daniel Maritz. The reunion kicked off on Friday 26 May, with an informal dinner at La Villette in Brussels. This charming restaurant, located near Place Sainte Catherine, is renowned for its delicious Belgian cuisine. On Saturday professor Stefaan Smis organised a tour of the VUB campus in the afternoon, followed by a gathering in the evening at the Brussels School of Governance. It was a heart-warming moment as the alumni were joined by some of their former professors, including current Professor Tony Joris, Prof. Dr. Em. Bart De Schutter, and Professor Marc Maresceau. The evening continued with a dinner at L'Auberge des Maïeurs.
Looking ahead, the Class of 1993 LLM alumni expressed their intention to continue gathering in the future, while keeping in touch through a shared Whatsapp group. Elroy Knebel, one of the attendees, described the weekend as follows: 'Bringing up memories but also building up hopes for friendships and cooperation'.
If you are also interested in organising a reunion or participating in an alumni event, please send an email to the BSoG alumni coordinator, Ms Charlotte Dooms (charlotte.marie.dooms@vub.be).
The attendees of the reunion included Joelle Camus, Lotte Dickow Schmidth and her husband, Chris and Anne-Mette Foreman, Magnus Hallin, Philip Hogg, Elroy Knebel, Dusko Lopandic, Daniel Maritz and Claudia Sedioli Maritz, Orla Murphy, Antoaneta Emanuilova Pateva, Ilkka Salmi, Tina Scholiers and Stefaan Smis, Buck Wiley, Kreeta Simola, and Pat Sorek.
