In January 1950, in an article in Fédération in which he comments on the debates which took place at the European Conference on Culture held in Lausanne from 8 to 12 December 1949, Henri Brugmans, Dutch President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), emphasises the need to train an elite of young executives for Europe and outlines the principles of this training, which he believes should take place at the College of Europe in Bruges.

On 22 July 1950, the Belgian Official Journal publishes the Articles of Association of the College of Europe in Bruges.

On 2 September 1950, the Journal de Bruges et de la Province outlines the curriculum of classes and lectures that will be provided at the College of Europe and reflects on the circumstances that led to the College’s establishment.

On 7 October 1950, a few days before its inauguration, the Journal de Bruges et de la Province outlines the role of the College of Europe: to promote a spirit of solidarity and mutual understanding between all the nations of Western Europe and to provide elite training to individuals who will uphold these values.

In November 1950, Gaston Karila, a former student at the trial session of the College of Europe in autumn 1949, describes the opening meeting of the first session of the College in Bruges on 12 October 1950 and speculates on employment opportunities for future students.

In October 1951, Henri Brugmans, former Dutch President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and first Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, considers the establishment of the institution and outlines its main tasks.

On 12 October 1950, the College of Europe welcomes its first class of students to Brussels.

Information booklet published in the early 1950s by the College of Europe in Bruges describing its organisation, role and tasks.