The Department of Political Science at St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, in a splendid collaboration with the Jean Monnet Module, co-funded by the illustrious Erasmus+ programme of the European Union orchestrated a grandiloquent two-day International Conference on 3rd November (scheduled for 3rd and 4th November) 2023 meticulously centered around the theme "Understanding the European Union: Structures, Processes, and Challenges." The Inaugural session commenced with an air of anticipation at the early hour of 9:30 am, graced by the presence of esteemed luminaries. Notable attendees included the venerable Principal, Reverend Father Dr. Nabor Lakra; the erudite Vice Principals, Reverend Father Robert Pradeep Kujur s.j. and Reverend Father Dr. Ajay Minj; the scholarly Registrar of the college, Reverend Father Dr. Prabhat K. Soreng; the astute Bursar of the institution, Reverend Father Roshan Baa; the indefatigable convenor of the conference, Dr. Sheetal Sharma from Jawaharlal Nehru University; the erudite Dr. Shreya Pandey from St. Xavier's College; and the venerable Head of the Department, Professor B. K. Sinha. This august assembly was further graced by the presence of the entire faculty cohort from the Department of Political Science.

Father Principal eloquently expounded upon the profound relevance of the conference's theme in light of the ever-evolving global landscape. Father Vice-Principal, in his sagacious discourse, delved into the concept of a values-based world order. The erudite Convener, Dr. Sheetal Sharma, portrayed the European Union as a pivotal global actor, cleverly likening it to the patriarch of a three-generation family, with the EU serving as the venerable grandfather. An expert in the field of European Union studies, Dr. Alain Guggenbühl from Brussels added his perspective on the theme.

The maiden day of this grand symposium bore witness to three intellectually stimulating sessions, each adroitly presided over by distinguished scholars: Dr. Simi Mehta, Mr. Jaidpeep Deogharia, and Dr. Praveen Singh, respectively. The first session was graced by the insightful contributions of nine delegates, followed by a second session with six erudite participants and a third session featuring a staggering eleven delegates. Deliberations of great depth and scope transpired, encompassing intricate topics such as the structural dynamics of the European Union, its multifaceted economic persona, and its pivotal role as a prominent global political entity. With the close of this first day, the conference unfurled its banner of success, promising even more illuminating discussions in the days to come.