Student Essay Wins Prize, Urges Europe to Focus on Limits, Not Expansion

In an essay that has garnered the Marc Chavannes Prize 2026, a young voice is calling for a fundamental shift in Europe's approach to its global standing. Marwa Bouazzati, a political science student under 35, argues that Europe's path to prosperity in the evolving world order lies not in unchecked expansion, but in strategic limitation.

Bouazzati's essay, titled "Farewell America, Welcome Europe. How can Europe flourish in the new world order?", directly confronts the traditional reliance on American partnership. Instead, she proposes that Europe must cultivate its own strength through defined boundaries and a focus on internal development. This perspective challenges the prevailing narrative that often positions Europe as a secondary player, dependent on external alliances for its security and economic well-being.

The essay's core argument centers on the idea that true flourishing for Europe comes from self-determination and a clear understanding of its own capabilities and limitations. By prioritizing self-reliance and carefully managing its international engagements, Europe can carve out a more robust and independent future, moving away from a model of endless growth towards one of sustainable and defined influence.