School visit to the Artevelde School of Journalism in Ghent

On October 16, Victor De Decker, a research fellow in Geoeconomics at the Egmont Institute, delivered an lecture to bachelor students at the Artevelde School of Journalism in Ghent. The lecture focused on the rise of China as a global power, examining its growing influence in economic, political, and strategic arenas worldwide. After the lecture, students were challenged to assess China’s role and impact on various global issues, including Taiwan, the war in Ukraine, and international efforts to combat climate change. This exercise aimed to deepen their understanding of China’s role in shaping the future of global affairs.

First ReConnect China school visit in Aalst, Belgium

In March 2024, Victor De Decker, a research fellow in Geoeconomics at the Egmont Institute, delivered a lecture to students (age 16-17) at the Art School in Aalst. The lecture focused on geoeconomic competition between the United States, China, and the European Union, with a particular emphasis on the concept of global value chains. Using the example of the design and manufacturing process of an Apple iPhone, Victor De Decker explained how complex value chains connect different countries and regions. Following the lecture, students were tasked with investigating the value chains of everyday consumer goods, exploring how China is integrated into these processes and what the broader consequences of such integration might be.