University Challenge 2025
Entente Cordiale Prizes University Challenge Participating Students
The Entente Cordiale Prizes recognize outstanding contributions and achievements in various fields, inspired by historical figures who have shaped Franco-British relations. The proposed prizes include:
For British Winners:
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King Edward VII Entente Cordiale Prize
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Queen Elizabeth II Entente Cordiale Prize
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Sir Winston Churchill Entente Cordiale Prize
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Marquess of Lansdowne Entente Cordiale Prize
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Lord Williams of Elvel Entente Cordiale Prize
For French Winners:
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Président Émile Loubet Entente Cordiale Prize
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Président Jacques Chirac Entente Cordiale Prize
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General Charles de Gaulle Entente Cordiale Prize
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Ambassador Paul Cambon Entente Cordiale Prize
George Grosz Entente Cordiale Prize
UK Universities
Oxford University
Cambridge University
The London School of Economics
University College of London
King's College London
Imperial College of London
French Universities
Sorbonne University
Sciences Po Paris
Centrale Supelec Paris
EDHEC Business School
King's College London
ESSEC Business School
Entente Cordiale Day
Honouring the Past, Experiencing Greatness, Empowering Tomorrow
Launched under the High Patronage of the President of France, Monsieur Emmanuel Macron, and with the support of His Majesty King Charles III, the Entente Cordiale Day aims to bring each year together students from UK/French academic institutions and beyond (by invitation) and to become the Davos of Students where young bright minds students and future leaders meet and present their work and proposals to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges to the current and global leaders specialized in the specific global challenge of study. Our initiative encourages creative thinking, promotes diversity of ideas, of views and backgrounds as well as inclusiveness; it is open to all nationalities, all disciplines and all academic levels.
The Entente Cordiale Day event fosters discussions on global topics of shared interest and provides a platform for recommendations
and innovative solutions from students for public and private decision-makers. These study groups are awarded annually in April with the Entente Cordiale Prizes, named after some of the prominent figures who have shaped the Entente Cordiale over the past 120 years, such as Winston Churchill, General de Gaulle, Queen Elizabeth II and President Chirac. Our aim and vision is that the Entente Cordiale Prizes awarded every year by global leaders and experts will be the Nobel Prizes of the Students.
Each year, over 500 students and more than 120 teams will compete for the 10 Entente Cordiale Prizes.
Selected Annual Topics Include:
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The economic and social impacts of Artificial Intelligence in the world
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Climate change, biodiversity, and the developing world (2024-2025)
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Defence, Technologies, and World Security (2025-2026)
From Debate to Celebration:
The Annual Events of Entente Cordiale Day
Our events welcome a distinguished panel of decision-makers from academic, economic, financial, political, administrative, cultural, intellectual, and artistic circles from both the UK, France and beyond to reach global audience. Each year, this curated group is invited to the Annual Gala of the Entente Cordiale and the annual Entente Cordiale Alumni Reception. Our mission is to build a strong Student Community during their student life and in parallel a strong Alumni Community to pursue, preserve and nurture the strong bonds between students throughout their professional life.
01) Annual Summit of the Entente Cordiale Day
The Entente Cordiale Day event spans two days of prestigious activities, beginning with a lunch debate at the House of Commons, a Q&A session at Whitehall, and a grand opening ceremony with a classical concert at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
On the second day, student presentations take place before a grand jury at the London School of Economics for Entente Cordiale Day 2025, culminating in a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the magnificent Hatfield House or Château de Breteuil in France.
Held annually on the anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, this event celebrates excellence by awarding prizes to the top-performing student teams in iconic venues on themes of global interest.
02) Entente Cordiale AnnualAlumni Reception
The Entente Cordiale Alumni Meeting is an annual event alternating between the House of Lords in the UK and the Senate in France, fostering networking and collaboration among alumni from diverse fields.
Held in June or early July, it features keynote speeches, discussions on Franco-British partnerships within a global context and how we continue to inspire each to instill greatess in arts sports,culture, literature, finance, industry…. and aimed to celebrate and strengthen bilateral ties.
Presentation of the bi-annual Entente Cordiale Prizes Gala Awards venue (France): The Château de Breteuil
The main part of the current château was built in 1612 on the site of a medieval castle.
Charles Perrault is said to have written some of his most famous fairy tales while staying at the Château, including his versions of the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty stories.
It is believed that the future Charles II visited during his period of exile in France as a teenager after the English Civil War.
In 1881, the Prince of Wales, future Edward VII of England, visited the Château as a guest of Marquis Henry de Breteuil, who arranged a meeting with Léon Gambetta, an anti-royalist politician then President of the French National Assembly. Their frank discussions were vital preliminaries to the Entente Cordiale. Marcel Proust was a notable visitor of the Chateau.
In 1912, the Prince of Wales future Edward VIII, took French lessons at the Château. And five years later it is said that the Comte François de Breteuil introduced the Prince to Marguerite Alibert, who became a royal mistress for the duration of WW1.
The Château was occupied during World War 2, and deteriorated somewhat, but was renovated by the current owner, the 10th Marquis de Breteuil, and was declared a Monument Historique in 1973. The Chateau de Breteuil has been in the Breteuil family for over 300 years.
Presentation of the family of Entente Cordiale Day Co-Chair & Honorary President: The Marquis de Breteuil
Members of the Breteuil family were Ministers under Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. Louis Nicolas de Breteuil became Louis XIV’s “Introducteur des Ambassadeurs et Princes étrangers”, and as such the first of several diplomats in the family.
Ahead of his times, Louis Nicolas de Breteuil encouraged his daughter, Gabrielle Emilie to study science and mathematics. She would later become famous as Emilie du Châtelet, one of the leading thinkers of the French Enlightenment, defending the ideas of Newton and Leibniz. She was also Voltaire’s companion and collaborator for over 15 years.
As Prime Minister under Louis XVI, Louis Auguste de Breteuil authorized the first performances of Beaumarchais’ controversial, anti-establishment play The Marriage of Figaro in 1784. He was the Prime of France on 14 July 1789 called by Louis XVI for 100 hours before he was replaced by Necker.
The 8th Marquis de Breteuil was a Member of Parliament and spokesperson of the Count of Paris, he later became friends with the Prince of Wales and with most European Aristocracy at the end of nineteenth century. He played an important role in forging the Entente Cordiale with the future Edward VII and was also close to King George V and Queen Mary who stayed at his home several times. He hosted the future King Edward VIII at the Chateau de Breteuil, and he met several times during his stays with the Royal Family, the future King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II and grandfather of King Charles III.
The current Marquis, the 10th, Henri-François de Breteuil, was educated at Janson de Sailly and at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris. He was an administrator of the Palace of Versailles and is a fellow of the Academie des Sciences Morales et Politiques.
01. Annual Summit of the Entente Cordiale Day
DAY 1: APRIL 7, 2025 DAY 2: APRIL 8, 2025
12:30 PM
Venue :
Palace of Westminster, House of Commons, London
Topic:
Climate Change, International Development, and Biodiversity
Format :
Seated buffet with sandwiches and light meals
Host:
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change
3:30 PM
Venue :
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Whitehall, London
Interactive Lecture and QA Session
Topic:
Strategies and policies addressing global climate change and biodiversity
6:00 PM
Venue :
Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
Formal Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Dinner
Highlights :
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National Anthems and Flag Raising Ceremony in the Courtyard
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Speeches by senior representatives and dignitaries
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Networking opportunity in the Great Hall or Terrace (weather permitting)
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Remembrance Time for soldiers from WWI and WWII
8:00 PM
Concert Location :
Chapel of Royal Hospital Chelsea
Performance :
LSE Choir, featuring classical works by 17th-18th century composers
9:00 AM
Venue :
London School of Economics, Cheng Ki Ku Building, London
Grand Jury Oral Presentations (Morning)
Format :
Presentations by 5 student groups
12:00 PM
Venue :
London School of Economics, Cheng Ki Ku Building, London
Lunch Break and Jury Deliberation
1:30 PM
Venue :
London School of Economics, Cheng Ki Ku Building, London
Grand Jury Oral Presentations (Afternoon)
Format :
Presentations by another 5 student groups
6:30 PM
Venue :
Hatfield House, Old Palace
Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Cocktail Location :
Knot Garden (weather permitting) or Marble Hall
Dinner and Awards :
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Formal gala in the Old Palace
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Speeches by dignitaries and sponsors
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Presentation of Entente Cordiale Prizes to winning student teams
Dress Code :
Black Tie
02. Entente Cordiale Alumni Reception 2025
The Entente Cordiale Alumni Meeting 2025 features a prestigious conference-debate at the House of Lords, under the aegis of Lord Soames of Fletching, grandson of Sir Winston Churchill. This landmark event will be a highlight of the alumni gathering, commemorating Franco-British collaboration through a focus on “Vision, Engagement, and Legacy” inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games of London 2012 and Paris 2024.
Special Guests
Speakers will share insights into their experiences, highlighting the transformational impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on cities, communities, and nations.
Proposed Date and Time
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: House of Lords, London
Audience
The event aims to bring together the political, intellectual, and sporting elite of London, including Olympic champions, policymakers, academics, and alumni from leading French and British institutions. This high-profile gathering offers a unique opportunity for Franco-British engagement.
Objectivs
1. Promote Collaboration:
Showcase the shared vision and legacy of London 2012 and Paris 2024 as benchmarks for global sporting events.
2. Strengthen Alumni Ties:
Reinforce connections between Franco-British alumni and stakeholders in politics, academia, and sports.
3. Highlight Franco-British Relations:
Celebrate the enduring partnership and collaboration between the two nations.
This enhanced alumni meeting ensures a memorable experience, solidifying the Entente Cordiale initiative’s impact and fostering meaningful dialogues that transcend borders.
Students:
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Shrivalli, Ghosh
LSE, MSc in Criminal Justice Policy, 2025
Indian
Why did you decide to join the EC challenge?
My rendezvous with environmental protection had commenced since my school days, where I would always lead cleanliness drives and tree plantation initiatives. During my undergraduate studies, I completed summer courses on ‘International Human Rights Law’ and ‘Corporate Law and Governance’ at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where I realised that climate change is insufficiently addressed as a human rights issue, and that corporate decision-makers, bound by structure, are often unable to enact change, despite having the power and resources to do so. The idea to conduct research on providing solutions for humanising business practices, with particular focus on the climate crisis hit me then, and eventually became my International Law LLM dissertation. However, the more I read into the topic, more the number of avenues that opened up in front of me begging for more research.
When I got the email from the Social Policy department at LSE about the EC challenge, my interest was immediately ignited due to my personal realisation that these issues have to be addressed urgently in today’s times, because every actor in our society needs to become more sensitive to the concerns of the community as the world becomes tighter in essence, and there is no one better than us academicians to delve deeper into these issues. Getting a chance to work with brilliant colleagues was an added bonus as I would have exposure to various insights of people from various countries, which is what happened. We formed a team of people from India, Austria and Indonesia and it has been such an insightful journey.
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Claudia Rueda
UCL International Social and Political Studies
Spanish
Why did you decide to join the EC challenge?
Participating in the Entente Cordiale University Challenge offers a unique platform to tackle pressing global challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development, through the lens of Franco-British collaboration. Building on my experience as a Model United Nations delegate, where I engaged in debates on Sustainable Development Goals and international trade, I aim to deepen my understanding of innovative and transformative approaches to sustainability, further enhanced by my interest to pursue a career in diplomacy.
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DJEUFACK KANA
Lesly
EDHEC (French teams)
Why did you decide to join the EC challenge?
My name is Lesly Kana, and I am a Cameroonian Master's student at EDHEC Business School with a background in managerial economics.
I am deeply passionate about sustainability and have actively participated in environmental and social initiatives. Through conferences and panel discussions focused on business and sustainability, I have gained a deeper understanding of economic development within the context of climate change. The Entente Cordiale University Challenge offers an invaluable opportunity to further develop my research and analytical skills while contributing to innovative solutions for biodiversity and climate resilience.
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Jaden Zhu
Sciences Po (French teams)
Why did you decide to join the EC challenge?
Jaden Zhu is a Canadian student pursuing a dual degree at Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University. Born and raised in Toronto, he has cultivated a deep passion for political science and sustainable development. Eager to contribute globally, Jaden embraces diverse experiences that fuel his understanding of different cultures. In his free time, he enjoys in exploring new foods and cultures, learning languages, and appreciating music and art. With a commitment to positive change, Jaden aims to leverage his academic pursuits to drive meaningful dialogue and solutions. An inquisitive, open-minded thinker, he seeks opportunities to foster global collaboration and promote sustainable progress.