Since 2001, when former Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and former Minister for Culture, Higher Education and Research, Erna Hennicot-Schoepges invited their EU colleagues to develop a new network of universities to increase the quality of student and staff mobility in Europe, Germain Dondelinger was one of the creative engines of Campus Europae and its main advocate within the Luxembourg Government. He strongly believed that efforts to instil a practical sense of Europe’s unity in diversity must be student-centred, and his arguments were always enveloped by an extraordinary understanding of the Higher Education policy in Europe and beyond.
Germain’s contribution towards the establishment and development of Campus Europae was absolutely pivotal. In spite of his responsibilities in the Ministry, in the Council of Europe and within the Bologna Follow Up Group, his interest almost always enabled him to join our meetings, where his ability to light up a discussion with wit and expertise was much loved. He was also at the heart of initiatives such as the Luxembourg Forum on Human Rights and Higher Education and the Club d’Europe – Ride for Your Rights!.
Germain Dondelinger stood in the long tradition of Luxembourg citizens who have been – and are – dedicated Europeans in both thinking and doing. All our network actors will remember him fondly.