On Monday 19 October 2020, the University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance held a virtual event to officially announce and congratulate the 2019 laureates of the Pierre Werner Foundation Scholarship.
The scholarship, awarded by the Fondation Pierre Werner under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, is given to outstanding postgraduate students pursuing a PhD at the University of Luxembourg in the fields of either law, economics, finance, or political sciences.
At the event, the 2019 laureates, Ms. Simona Demkova, Ms. Jasmin Hiry and Ms. Marie Gerardy each presented their doctoral research to the members of the Fondation Pierre Werner, including Ms. Marie-Anne Werner and Mr. Charles Werner, the children of former Prime Minister Pierre Werner and founding members, as well as Mr. Luc Frieden, president of the foundation’s Management Committee and Ms. Tonika Hirdman, Director General of the Fondation de Luxembourg.
Ms. Demkova’s thesis, ‘Effective Review in the Age of Information’ is supervised by Professor Herwig Hofmann. Her doctoral dissertation is guided by three main concerns to the larger European integration project: a) the effective protection and enforcement of individual rights and interests, b) the protection of individual rights in the conduct of European administration and c) the protection of individual rights in light of the rapidly growing importance to employ technological innovation in European administration.
Ms. Jasmin Hiry’s thesis, ‘Initiating the Adoption and Execution of Union Acts in light of the Principle of Democracy and the Rule of Law’ is also supervised by Professor Herwig Hofmann. In her doctoral dissertation, she reviews the evolution of the right of initiative over the course of European integration and further assesses whether its current form complies with the Treaties of the European Union.
Ms. Marie Gérady’s thesis, ‘The Privatisation of the Power to Govern: The Case of Technical Standardisation’ is supervised by Professor Joana Mendes. Her doctoral dissertation speaks to the harmonisation of standards vis-à-vis regulation, with an emphasis on the internal EU market. Her research interests address the intersection of law and economics in the framework of EU integration.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, Professor Katalin Ligeti congratulated the students, highlighting their role in furthering the values of the European Union: “Prime Minister Werner dreamt of a resilient, united Europe and used his great qualities as a Statesman and negotiator to make this happen. These three bright students are his modern-day ambassadors. With a profound interest in advancing research into European Law and Institutions, they carry the flame into the next generation,” Prof. Ligeti said.
Mr. Luc Frieden reminded the candidates that Prime Minister Werner’s work was also of great national importance, “helping to shape the country where [the laureates] have chosen to study and live.” Mr. Frieden also complimented the laureates on the “ambitious and forward-looking topics” that they have chosen to undertake. “I am very happy, and very proud to have awarded this scholarship to these three scholars,” said Mr. Frieden.
Ms. Tonika Hirdman, speaking on behalf of the Fondation de Luxembourg, acknowledged the quality of the research projects presented, and expressed her gratitude to the Faculty and the members of the selection jury for their work. “It was very interesting to hear first-hand from these young scholars, whose research attests to the importance of former Prime Minister Pierre Werner’s work and legacy.”
On behalf of the University of Luxembourg, Professor Ligeti concluded the event by thanking the Fondation Pierre Werner and the Fondation de Luxembourg for their continued support. “We are looking forward to hosting our next event at the Faculty with both the 2019 and 2020 laureates and exchanging in person with the members of the Fondation Pierre Werner and the Fondation de Luxembourg.”