Future CHOICE Summer School 2026 on Interlinked Instability: Europe’s Indo-Pacific Dilemma

At the beginning of June, CHOICE welcomed a diverse cohort of 18 young professionals to the third edition of the Future CHOICE Summer School. Set on the historic grounds of the former Jesuit College in Kutná Hora, Czechia, this year’s summer school focused on equipping participants with the analytical skills and strategic insights needed to understand the broader EU-China dynamics and how instability in the Indo-Pacific region could impact Europe.

The summer school opened with a keynote speech by H.E. Jakub Landovský, former Czech Ambassador to NATO and the Czech Government’s Special Envoy for the Fulfillment of Obligations toward NATO, who set the stage for a week of intense discussions on Europe’s stakes in the Indo-Pacific region. Over the following days, participants engaged in expert sessions covering the Indo-Pacific from a wide range of perspectives. Dr. Jagannath Panda, Head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), offered insights from India on Europe’s role in the region. Assistant Professor Lionel Fatton of Webster University in Geneva, unpacked Japan’s Indo-Pacific playbook and the challenges it faces. Professor May-Britt Stumbaum, Director of the SPEAR Institute, examined how an Indo-Pacific conflict could affect Europe from both political and military perspectives. Dr. Ivana Karásková, CHOICE Team Lead and former Special Advisor to the Vice-President of the EU Commission, analyzed China’s influence in Central and Eastern Europe. Dr. Alica Kizeková of Curtin University in Perth, presented Australian perspectives on an Indo-Pacific under pressure. The event concluded with a final keynote by H.E. Jiří Šedivý, Director General for Defense Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic and former Czech Minister of Defense.

Besides lectures, the program included a series of interactive simulations, where participants acted as decision-makers representing five countries navigating an unfolding crisis in the Indo-Pacific. A rotating expert forum, held during a picnic in the Jesuit College Gardens, gave participants the opportunity to book one-on-one mentoring sessions with the experts and receive personalized career guidance. 

Participants from all parts of Europe enjoyed many networking opportunities during the discussions and the cultural program, which included exploring Kutná Hora’s UNESCO-listed heritage, including a tour of the St. Barbora Cathedral, the GASK art exhibition, and a memorable private night tour of the Sedlec Ossuary, the famous Church of Bones.

The summer school was not only a great opportunity for young professionals interested in China but also for the CHOICE community to grow and engage the bright young generation.