Memorial to Robert Schuman, Brussels

Robert Schuman (1886-1963) was a French statesman known for his vital role in the early development of the European Union. He was born on June 29, 1886, in Luxembourg, which was then part of the German Empire. Schuman came from a family of Lorraine descent and grew up in a bilingual and bicultural environment, speaking both French and German.

His political career began after World War I when he became a member of the French National Assembly. He represented the Moselle department in northeastern France and held various parliamentary roles. During World War II, Schuman opposed the Nazi occupation of France and was briefly arrested by the Gestapo but managed to escape and go into hiding.

One of his most significant contributions to European history was the Schuman Declaration in 1950. As the French Foreign Minister, he proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). This proposal aimed to integrate coal and steel industries among European nations to prevent future wars by making it impossible for individual countries to control these key resources. The Schuman Declaration is considered the birth of the European Union, celebrated on May 9 as Europe Day.

Schuman served as the Prime Minister of France, Foreign Minister, and played a vital role in the Treaty of Paris in 1951, which established the ECSC. He also served as the President of the European Parliamentary Assembly. Schuman's commitment to European unity and peace earned him the title "Father of Europe". This statue of him in Jubilee ("Cinquantenaire") Park marks the beginning of the "Schuman district", which includes a metro station, tunnel, and a roundabout named in his honor. In the vicinity of the latter, you can find various European institutions, such as the Berlaymont building, the European Commission's headquarters, featuring a monument to Schuman, as well as important European Parliament facilities.