State of Europe 2020: the festival of politics and ideas to transform Europe

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State of Europe 2020: the festival of politics and ideas to transform Europe

Summary

Click on the banners for a quick recap of the Festival of politics and ideas to transform Europe.

Diary day 1

Diary day 1

Diary day 1

Diary day 1

About

About


This year State of Europe moves online for a full week of activities as The festival of politics and ideas to transform Europe.

From Monday 12 October until Thursday 15 October 2020, we will be exploring the host of opportunities within Europe’s reach. We’ll discuss financing a sustainable transition, implementing a bold EU industrial strategy, and rethinking the health system. We’ll also work to understand the implications of EU-Africa -China and -US relations, as well as address stakeholder capitalism and a new approach to growth, the digitalisation of the whole economy; and the impact of the EU’s demographics across these areas.

How do local, national, EU and international institutions charter a course through a new orthodoxy of transparency, accountability and a desire amongst citizens for a new kind of leadership? It’s time not only to tackle this question, but to come up with solutions to it.

A week of interactive formats and imaginative approaches, including high level sessions to develop policy proposals to move forward, “In conversation with” leading personalities, Ideas sharing focused on the power of ideas to change the world, Policymakers debates, Debating Europe citizens’ panel and Moments of arts and culture.

European Commissioners, current and former (Prime) Ministers from across Europe and the globe, CEOs, top representatives of European and international institutions, members of European and national parliaments, mayors, civil society leaders and media influencers will join for a frank and open debate.

Friends of Europe’s trustees and European Young Leaders (EYL40), a solid pan-European network of up-and-coming leaders, including artists, writers and entrepreneurs, will also be in attendance.

Sessions will vary from closed circles of a handful of top decisionmakers to a few hundred senior discussants, most of the week will be livestreamed so as to allow a wider audience to engage.


For discussants joining the roundtable and encountering any technical difficulty to connect, you may please email:

Nassim Bounya / nassim.bounya@friendsofeurope.org




Our events include photos, audio and video recording that we might use for promotional purposes. By registering, you give your permission to use your image. Should you have any questions, please contact us.

Schedule

Schedule

Festival opening — A question of leadership, governance and trust
Expand Festival opening — A question of leadership, governance and trust

There is nothing like a crisis to bring into sharp relief the short-sightedness of leadership. Agile decision-making and dynamic policy thinking are fine words but they don’t mean anything if citizens don’t see any actual effects on their lives and livelihoods. In this period of back to back crises, leaders will have to tackle dilemmas in the nexus of public safety, continuity of services and access to essentials, whilst managing and abating the downward spiral of an economy.

How do we get the leadership, governance and trust dynamic right to ensure a recovery that strengthens the resilience of the EU project?

WELCOMING REMARKS

Etienne Davignon

President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former European commission vice-president

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Ngaire Woods

Founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at the University of Oxford

Paul Tang

Paul Tang, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Economy and Monetary Affairs

MODERATOR

Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

High-level session — Stepping up government and corporate leadership: towards a new approach to growth
Expand High-level session — Stepping up government and corporate leadership: towards a new approach to growth

A minimum of 55% target of emission reduction in Europe by 2030 means doing business differently. This means adopting a new approach to growth which puts climate needs, alongside solving inequalities and digital transformation, as central drivers of the recovery. As businesses are revolutionising the way they make decisions by proactively identifying, measuring and valuing their impacts and dependencies on natural capital, they can also bolster a more sustainable, just and resilient economy.

How can businesses align growth with the EU’s recovery plan and contribute in the EU’s “build back better” phase?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Tim Brett

President, Western Europe at The Coca-Cola Company

Pascal Canfin

Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

Marco Lambertini

Director General of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International

Emma Navarro

Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)

moderator

Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

Debating Europe citizens’ panel — What will be the 'new normal' for European cities?
Expand Debating Europe citizens’ panel — What will be the 'new normal' for European cities?

Public life will need to adapt to a ‘new normal’ due to COVID-19, and cities will be at the forefront. People will have new requirements from offices, schools, shops, parks, and so on. Streets, for example, will be shut to car traffic to allow more outdoor space for restaurants; public transport systems need to adapt to lower passenger capacities; more indoor events need to be held outdoors. Cities and mayors will need to be innovative as they navigate these challenges, and will need the support of government and citizens.

How can citizens be more involved in local problem solving as we emerge from lockdown? How can solutions at the local level be brought to the heart of the EU approach?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Jasna Gabric

Mayor of Trbovlje, Slovenia and 2020-2021 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Gábor Kerpel-Fronius

Deputy Mayor of Budapest responsible for Smart City initiatives and Participatory Democracy

moderator

Joe Litobarski

Editor-in-Chief of Debating Europe

Idea sharing — What young Europeans want the EU to do
Expand Idea sharing — What young Europeans want the EU to do

Young Europeans will be hard-hit by the economic consequences of the Covid crisis. The long-term future of the EU depends on it having their continued support. Europe’s Stories, an Oxford University research project led by Professor Timothy Garton Ash, is trying to find out what the next generation in the EU really wants the EU to deliver. Climate change, social security and freedom of movement are near the top of the list.

What are the implications of inter-generational solidarity in Europe and for EU policy thinking?

WITH

Timothy Garton Ash

Professor of European Studies at Oxford University, historian, author and commentator

High-level session — How do we pay social protection?
Expand High-level session — How do we pay social protection?

The crisis has created the biggest economic shock in history, deepening inequalities and creating the largest public debt ever. Providing a safety net for workers and businesses has been costly but necessary.

As we move to recovery, can the EU turn its social pillar into the foundation of a new social contract which guarantees welfare to all citizens and ensures the private sector play its part ?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Domna Michailidou

Greek Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and 2020-2021 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Mary Robinson

Former president of Ireland, Chair of the Elders and Honorary Co-President of the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF)

Nicolas Schmit

European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

moderator

Tamsin Rose

Facilitator

Continue to 13 Oct
Idea sharing — The Bio Revolution
Expand Idea sharing — The Bio Revolution

Advances in biological science could transform economies and societies. Unleashing innovation in biosciences will help to tackle global challenges from climate change to pandemics.

Managed investment and innovation could create a competitive edge for Europe, but how do we allow this revolution to flourish while keeping the risks at bay?

WITH

Matthias Evers

Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company

High-level session — Reshaping the EU’s industrial strategy, from competition to trade policy
Expand High-level session — Reshaping the EU’s industrial strategy, from competition to trade policy

The social market economy has been and will continue to be a successful model for the EU and worldwide. The European industrial strategy is a strategic tool to strengthen it. EU’s future industrial approach will have to think long and hard about the interdependencies and value chains between sectors, regions and countries across the globe.

How do we reshape the single market, competition, industrial and trade policies, while drawing from the lessons of the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic and reaping the benefits of an internally and externally open social market economy?

Ultimately, responding to and stabilising crises will have to be a key objective of any future strategy, whilst finding clever ways to maintain sustainable growth.

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Jean-Pierre Clamadieu

Chairman of the Board of Directors of ENGIE

Frank Heemskerk

Secretary-General at the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) and former Dutch minister for foreign trade

Cecilia Malmström

Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, former European commissioner, former Swedish minister and Trustee of Friends of Europe

Agnès Pannier-Runacher

French Minister for Energy Transition

moderator

Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

High-level session — Beyond hard security: towards a broader concept of strategic autonomy
Expand High-level session — Beyond hard security: towards a broader concept of strategic autonomy

At a time of growing geopolitical competition, many are pushing for a more independent EU, while ideas like “strategic autonomy” and “European sovereignty” are back in vogue.

What would strategic autonomy mean in terms of Europe’s traditional alliances as well as its role in the world and in its own neighbourhood? How can the EU – on its own if necessary – stabilise its neighbourhood and enhance its own internal resilience and crisis management capacity against future global shocks and disruptions?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Hélène Conway-Mouret

Member of the French Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces

Dan Mircea Geoană

Deputy Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

João Gomes Cravinho

Portuguese Minister of Defence

Pawel Herczynski

Managing Director of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service (EEAS)

Nathalie Tocci

Director at the International Affairs Institute (IAI)

MODERATOR

Jamie Shea

Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

High-level session — Stepping up government and corporate leadership: towards a landmark deal for biodiversity
Expand High-level session — Stepping up government and corporate leadership: towards a landmark deal for biodiversity

The health of people and that of the planet are interconnected. As we work to end the pandemic, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity—and responsibility—to correct our relationship with the environment. In light of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) of 2021, business and government engagements are key. More than ever, the two are encouraged to get their acts together, double their efforts and strike a landmark deal for biodiversity. Europe is now at a pivotal moment. It has to steer its political determination and count on pioneering business leadership to revitalise and restore biodiversity for the health of citizens.

What leadership commitments could governments and companies make to tackle climate and biodiversity emergencies alongside COVID-19 crisis? How can European institutions, governments and businesses advance an international agreement on biodiversity conservation and demonstrate global leadership as they did for climate action?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Inger Andersen

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Emmanuel Faber

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Danone

Frans Timmermans

European Commission Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal

MODERATOR

Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

Continue to 14 Oct
Idea sharing — Tech for good
Expand Idea sharing — Tech for good

The crisis has accelerated digital capacities to serve all aspects of social needs. How do we harness the phenomenal capacity of tech to revolutionise our societal systems without doing harm.

WITH

Bertalan Meskó

Founder of The Medical Futurist and 2019 European Young Leader (EYL40)

High-level session — Rethinking world health systems
Expand High-level session — Rethinking world health systems

COVID-19 has been a litmus test for healthcare systems around the world, often laying bare significant deficiencies. The pandemic triggered a welcome modernisation of the health sector through increased use of digital tools. International collaboration on data-sharing and joint public-private investments in research have also shortened the race to find a vaccine and new therapies. Increasing resilience, regaining more control over essential supply chains, and opening the door for more EU involvement top the political agenda in Brussels, but global crises require global responses.

How can the EU, along with the rest of the world, use the virus as a catalyst to rethink and revolutionise health systems?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Ricardo Baptista Leite

CEO of HEALTH.AI, the Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health (formally known as I-DAIR), President of ‘UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health’ and 2015-2016 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Jean-Luc Lemercier

Corporate Vice-President of EMEA, Canada, Latin America, Japan and Asia Pacific at Edwards Lifesciences

Jaana Remes

Partner at the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI)

moderator

Tamsin Rose

Facilitator

Alexandra Dariescu — a musical journey
Expand Alexandra Dariescu — a musical journey

Alexandra Dariescu, Friends of Europe 2018 Young European Leader (EYL40), is an international concert pianist, creator and producer of The Nutcracker and I, RNCM Honorary Associate Artist, Cultural Ambassador of Romania, Patron Music in Lyddington and Officer of the Romanian Crown.

Alexandra has performed throughout the world, from Carnegie Hall in New York, to Sydney Opera House, Dubai Opera House, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and in 2013 she became the first ever female Romanian pianist to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

An activist for gender equality rights in classical music, Alexandra dedicates her life to education projects, building bridges and reaching out to the younger generation.

with

Alexandra Dariescu

Award-winning concert pianist, Piano Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music and 2018 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Continue to 15 Oct
Debating Europe citizens’ panel — The reality of racism: breaking Europe’s self-perpetuating power structure
Expand Debating Europe citizens’ panel — The reality of racism: breaking Europe’s self-perpetuating power structure

While the Treaty of the European Union stipulates a foundation based on equality and non-discrimination, the fact is that structural racism has long prevented millions within the region from having equal access to opportunities. It’s time for Europe to confront its reality – openly and honestly – and break the bonds of structural racism from top down.

What can the EU do to move beyond polite acknowledgement towards real change?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Helena Dalli

European Commissioner for Equality

Samira Rafaela

Co-chair of the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup

MODERATOR

Joe Litobarski

Editor-in-Chief of Debating Europe

Policymakers’ debate by invitation only — Building the resilience of EU’s healthcare systems
Expand Policymakers’ debate by invitation only — Building the resilience of EU’s healthcare systems

Resilience of healthcare systems is on top of the agenda again. Patients with chronic diseases saw their care disrupted while the COVID 19 pandemic threatened to overwhelm hospitals. Global supply chains were called into question and medicine shortages were exacerbated. Establishing a European Health Union and undepinning it with biomedical research and development have been the policy  responses to date.

Will the Member States overcome their historic reluctance to vest power in a shared approach to health at EU level? How can Europe support strategic investment in the resilience of health systems?

Chair

Mario Monti

Italian Senator for life, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, former Italian prime minister, former European commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe

MODERATOR

Tamsin Rose

Facilitator

High-level session — Connected Europe: a digital enabled recovery
Expand High-level session — Connected Europe: a digital enabled recovery

The post-COVID-19 environment necessitates different and new ways of working, as Europe and the world grapple with pathways to recovery and transformation. In working for a better-connected Europe, all stakeholders have an opportunity to transform and support the creation of more sustainable and inclusive economies and societies.

How can the next decade be Europe’s digital decade with clearly defined goals for connectivity, skills and digital public services. How can national and EU policymakers as well as businesses take the opportunity to make the right policy choices and proper investment in infrastructure and regulation for Europe to be the world’s digital pathfinder?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Li Andersson

Finnish Minister of Education

Rebeca Minguela

Founder and CEO of Clarity AI and 2018 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Joakim Reiter

Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone and former deputy director general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen

Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

moderator

Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

High-level session — Going it alone’ does not work
Expand High-level session — Going it alone’ does not work

The crisis has laid bare that a unilateral approach is bound to fail. However, many current global and regional governance and cooperative mechanisms are in a weak state.

How do we preserve a rules-based multilateral order, upholding liberal, democratic values and working with like-minded partners, without being dragged into a Cold War-style confrontation between the United States and China?

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSANTS

Baroness Valerie Amos

Master of University College Oxford and Trustee of Friends of Europe

Joseph Nye

Professor of International Relations at Harvard University, political scientist, author and commentator

Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang

Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG)

MODERATOR

Jamie Shea

Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Festival closing — We the People: What vision of Europe do citizens want?
Expand Festival closing — We the People: What vision of Europe do citizens want?

Since the Lisbon treaty came into force in 2009, EU leaders have been desperate not to talk about treaty change. Since then, the EU has been buffeted by crisis after crisis, and calls for reform have grown. The upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe will ask citizens their thoughts on the future of the EU.

Can citizens trust the process will be genuinely accountable, following a bottom-up rather than top-down approach? How can the EU ensure much-needed reforms have public legitimacy?

with

Gabriele Bischoff

Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

Alexander Stubb

Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute and former prime minister of Finland

Dubravka Šuica

European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography

introduced by

Joe Litobarski

Editor-in-Chief of Debating Europe

Syrian violinist Shalan Alhamwy and Belgian accordionist Jonas Malfliet, best known as Damast Duo, bring our festival of politics and ideas to a close.
Expand Syrian violinist Shalan Alhamwy and Belgian accordionist Jonas Malfliet, best known as Damast Duo, bring our festival of politics and ideas to a close.

With thanks to Bozar for their collaboration.

Speakers

Speakers

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Show more information on Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

As the WHO’s first African Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been working at the forefront of the organisation’s global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his election, he served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs where he led efforts to negotiate the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals. As Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, he increased access to healthcare for millions of Ethiopians. He is also an experienced health scholar, researcher, and diplomat with first-hand experience in leadership in emergency responses to epidemics.

baroness valerie amos
Baroness Valerie Amos

Master of University College Oxford and Trustee of Friends of Europe

Show more information on Baroness Valerie Amos

Throughout her career, Baroness Valerie Amos consistently sustained an interest in, and commitment to, issues of equality and social justice. In 1997, she was appointed a Labour life peer and was the first black woman to serve in a British Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development. She went on to become Leader of the House of Lords. In addition to her career at local and national level in the UK, she served as Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs at the United Nations. She was also UK High Commissioner to Australia and worked extensively in South Africa.

Photo of Li Andersson
Li Andersson

Finnish Minister of Education

Show more information on Li Andersson

Li Andersson is a prominent Finnish politician and ardent civil rights activist. She is the chair of the Left Alliance Party and part of the Finnish Government coalition of five parties that are all led by women. Political engagement is in her DNA and despite her young age she can claim more than a decade of experience on the political stage. She chaired her party’s youth organisation and is now a city councillor of Turku. Since 2015, she has combined this municipal experience with her engagement at the national parliament.

Inger Andersen
Inger Andersen

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Show more information on Inger Andersen

Inger Andersen’s career has been shaped by a passion for conservation and sustainable development with more than 30 years of experience in international development economics, environmental sustainability and policy-making, as well as generating on-the-ground impact. Prior to her current appointment, Inger was the Director-General of the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN). She has held various leadership roles at the World Bank including as Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa. At the United Nations, she started in the UN Sudano-Sahelian office working on drought and desertification issues before being appointed UNDP’s Water and Environment Coordinator for the Arab Region.

Ricardo Baptista Leite
Ricardo Baptista Leite

CEO of HEALTH.AI, the Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health (formally known as I-DAIR), President of ‘UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health’ and 2015-2016 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Show more information on Ricardo Baptista Leite

Ricardo Baptista Leite is best known as a Member of the Portuguese Parliament where he currently serves as a member of the committee on health. He also founded the UNITE global network of parliamentarians committed to achieving political impact towards ending infectious diseases as a global health threat. He is a medical doctor with specific training in infectious diseases, having studied at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School, and has an active role on a number of scientific and advisory boards of health-related foundations and organisations – including his role as Head of Public Health at the Catholic University of Portugal.

Gabriele Bischoff
Gabriele Bischoff

Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

Show more information on Gabriele Bischoff

As a long-standing member of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) and recent Member of the European Parliament for the Party of European Socialists, Gabriele Bischoff is a pillar of progressive politics. Early on in her career, she worked for IG Metall, Germany’s largest trade union, as Senior Advisor for Equality. She spent several years in Brussels as Social Attaché at the Permanent Representation of Germany before advising the EU Presidency at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. As head of the European Policy Department at the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Gabriele also served as member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

Photo of Tim Brett
Tim Brett

President, Western Europe at The Coca-Cola Company

Show more information on Tim Brett

Tim Brett has been a member of the Coca-Cola family for over 20 years, under various portfolios. As Executive Vice-President for Coca-Cola’s operations in Japan, he was responsible for franchise operations and commercial leadership. He also steered the company’s strategy across Europe, including in Central Europe and the Baltics. He was recently recognised for his work, being elected President of UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe. Tim prides himself on advancing the industries’ focus on environmental sustainability, healthy diets and economic growth.

Pascal Canfin
Pascal Canfin

Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

Show more information on Pascal Canfin

As part of the Renew Group at the European Parliament, Pascal Canfin is an ally of President Macron and positions himself as a leading voice pushing for an ambitious EU Green Deal. Pascal was the Chief Executive Officer of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) France, working on biodiversity conservation, the energy transition, and altering agri-food practices. Throughout 2015 and until COP 21, he worked closely as an adviser to Laurent Fabius to make the Paris Agreement a success. Prior to this, he also worked as Minister Delegate for Development at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs pushing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be adopted in 2015.

Jean-Pierre Clamadieu
Jean-Pierre Clamadieu

Chairman of the Board of Directors of ENGIE

Show more information on Jean-Pierre Clamadieu

Throughout his career, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu presided over some of the biggest industry players in Europe. He started his career within the French public sector at the Ministry of Industry and as technical advisor to the Minister of Labour. Later on, as member of the Rhône-Poulenc group, he held several management positions. Jean-Pierre was CEO and Chairman-CEO of the Rhodia group before becoming Vice Chairman of the Solvay Executive Committee. He then served as Chairman of the Executive Committee and CEO of Solvay. Since 2018, he has served as the Director and Chairman of the Board of Engie as well as Senior Independent Director of the AXA Board of Directors.

Photo of Hélène Conway-Mouret
Hélène Conway-Mouret

Member of the French Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces

Show more information on Hélène Conway-Mouret

Hélène Conway-Mouret is a French academic and politician with in-depth knowledge of security and defence issues. She has been a central figure in France’s relations abroad, serving as Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Committee in the Senate, rapporteur for the budget of the equipment of the Armed Forces, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of French citizens living abroad. She also founded the Delegation for Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities in the Senate. Hélène is a regular contributor of articles on security and defence matters.

Photo of Helena Dalli
Helena Dalli

European Commissioner for Equality

Show more information on Helena Dalli

Helena Dalli is a Maltese labour politician and the first EU Commissioner focused on strengthening Europe’s commitment to equality and inclusion. Prior to taking her role as Commissioner, Helena held various political roles at the national level including as Member of Parliament, Minister for European Affairs and Equality, and Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties. Under her direction, the Maltese government introduced several laws and policies to strengthen equality and human rights, placing her country among the first in Europe in this field. In 2016, Helena won the European Diversity Award, recognising her positive reform efforts in Malta.

Photo of Alexandra Dariescu
Alexandra Dariescu

Award-winning concert pianist, Piano Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music and 2018 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Show more information on Alexandra Dariescu

Alexandra Dariescu, Friends of Europe 2018 Young European Leader (EYL40), is an international concert pianist, creator and producer of The Nutcracker and I, RNCM Honorary Associate Artist, Cultural Ambassador of Romania, Patron Music in Lyddington and Officer of the Romanian Crown. Alexandra has performed throughout the world, from Carnegie Hall in New York, to Sydney Opera House, Dubai Opera House, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and in 2013 she became the first ever female Romanian pianist to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. An activist for gender equality rights in classical music, Alexandra dedicates her life to education projects, building bridges and reaching out to the younger generation.

Etienne Davignon
Etienne Davignon

President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former European commission vice-president

Show more information on Etienne Davignon

Etienne (Stevy) Davignon is one of the few statesmen in Europe who has been actively involved in EU affairs from the beginning, from his early role as Chief of Staff to Paul-Henri Spaak to today. He has held high-level positions in both the public and private sectors, including as Vice-President of the European Commission, President of the Société Générale de Belgique, first President of the International Energy Agency and through various board mandates.

Matthias Evers
Matthias Evers

Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company

Show more information on Matthias Evers

A molecular biochemist and bioinformatician by training, Matthias Evers co-leads McKinsey’s global work in R&D and medical functions. He has directed projects in China, Europe, India, and the United States, supporting pharmaceutical and medical-product companies as they pursue innovation, drive R&D productivity, define drug and asset strategies. Passionate about using science innovation to serve patients better, Matthias pursues several cross-industry activities to fuel innovation and create more science-leadership capacity.

Photo of Emmanuel Faber
Emmanuel Faber

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Danone

Show more information on Emmanuel Faber

Emmanuel Faber has over two decades of experience at Danone. Under his leadership, the company became the first French listed purpose-driven company in line with Danone’s ‘One Planet. One Health’ framework of action. Strongly committed to promoting innovative inclusive business models, he champions the global business movement for biodiversity with the “One Planet Business for Biodiversity” (OP2B) coalition. Hosted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), it gathers 21 leading companies joining forces to step up regenerative farming practices and to protect biodiversity. Emmanuel also co-chairs the CEO-led Consumer Goods Forum helping the world’s retailers and consumer goods manufacturers to secure consumer trust and drive positive change. He spearheads the Business for Inclusive Growth (B4IG) initiative, a first-of-its kind coalition of 40 leading global companies and partners committed to tackling inequalities and promoting inclusive growth.

Jasna Gabric
Jasna Gabric

Mayor of Trbovlje, Slovenia and 2020-2021 European Young Leader (EYL40)

Show more information on Jasna Gabric

Jasna Gabric is the mayor of Trbovlje, a former mining town in Slovenia. A member of the municipal council since the age of 25, she was the youngest Slovenian mayor when elected. Unemployment in her town has fallen by almost half thanks to her role in implementing a successful incubator for start-ups. Her effort also focussed on reforming the municipality to make it more efficient and responsive. These achievements have received widespread recognition, in particular from the City Mayors Foundation which named her Mayor of Distinction. She is seen as a role model for young female politicians.

Photo of João Gomes Cravinho
João Gomes Cravinho

Portuguese Minister of Defence

Show more information on João Gomes Cravinho

João Gomes Cravinho is a seasoned Portuguese diplomat and politician. Prior to his current appointment, João focused his attention on the world’s top emerging markets, acting as the EU’s ambassador to India and Brazil. He also served as the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Portugal. Earlier in his career, he was a lecturer on International Relations at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra, as well as a guest teacher at ISCTE in Lisbon, and at the Faculty of Law of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa. He has also authored a book, Visões do Mundo, as well as numerous articles in specialised academic publications and newspapers.

Photo of Timothy Garton Ash
Timothy Garton Ash

Professor of European Studies at Oxford University, historian, author and commentator

Show more information on Timothy Garton Ash

In addition to his professorship at Oxford University, Timothy Garton Ash is also the Isaiah Berlin Professorial Fellow at St Anthony’s College, Oxford, and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. A well-renowned author, he has published several books on contemporary history and politics, exploring many facets of Europe over the last half-century. He also writes a column on international affairs in The Guardian and is a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books. Amongst other rewards, he has received the International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen, for services to the European unity.

Frank Heemskerk
Frank Heemskerk

Secretary-General at the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) and former Dutch minister for foreign trade

Show more information on Frank Heemskerk

As head of ERT, a unique platform bringing together some of the biggest players of Europe’s industrial and technological sector, Frank Heemskerk is committed to keeping Europe competitive while promoting sustainable growth, jobs and prosperity. Frank kick-started his career in the private sector with a variety of positions at ABN AMRO Bank. He then served as Dutch Member of Parliament, before becoming the Minister for Foreign Trade. Following his career in national politics, Frank worked as Executive Director of the World Bank. He is currently also a visiting lecturer at the University of Leiden and chair of the Board of Amnesty International in the Netherlands.

Pawel Herczynski
Pawel Herczynski

Managing Director of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service (EEAS)

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Pawel Herczynski oversees the EU’s external security policies in the areas of non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, counter-terrorism/countering violent extremism, cyber, maritime and space security as well as EU sanctions. Prior to joining the EEAS, he served as Representative of Poland to the Political and Security Committee of the EU in Brussels. He held several senior positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, including Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Deputy Director of the EU Department, Head of the Iraq Task Team and Deputy Representative to the NATO Political Committee in Brussels.

Dharmendra Kanani
Dharmendra Kanani

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe

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Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra Kanani was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sector and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.

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Gábor Kerpel-Fronius

Deputy Mayor of Budapest responsible for Smart City initiatives and Participatory Democracy

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Gábor Kerpel-Fronius is a Hungarian journalist, businessman and politician. A member of the new progressive liberal Momentum Movement, he ran as candidate in the last European elections. He was also the Momentum Movement candidate for Mayor of Budapest in the pre-elections of 2019. One of his chief aims is to strengthen data-based decision-making and to improve citizens’ lives with innovative and smart solutions. He also aims to strengthen participatory democracy through enhanced access to information.

Marco Lambertini
Marco Lambertini

Director General of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International

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Marco Lambvertini started his career with WWF early on as a youth volunteer in his native Italy. He currently works with world leaders, corporate executives and civil society to forge a future in which people and nature thrive. He sits on the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) chaired by the Chinese Ministry of Environment. Marco is also an international ambassador of the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), a founding member of the Nature Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Business for Nature Coalition and the Global Commons Alliance.

Jean-Luc Lemercier
Jean-Luc Lemercier

Corporate Vice-President of EMEA, Canada, Latin America, Japan and Asia Pacific at Edwards Lifesciences

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Prior to assuming his current role, Jean-Luc Lemercier served as the Vice-President of transcatheter heart valves EMEA. Under his leadership at Edwards Lifesciences, the company successfully launched the SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve technology and built its leadership position in Europe. Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. Jean-Luc also serves as Chair of the Cardiovascular Sector Group of MedTech Europe, the association representing the medical technology industry in Europe.

Joe Litobarski
Joe Litobarski

Editor-in-Chief of Debating Europe

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Joe is the Editor of Debating Europe. He has been active in the EU blogosphere since 2008. Before starting work for Friends of Europe in 2011, he worked as a freelance journalist in the UK and Brussels, and edited BlogActiv.eu, a dedicated EU blogging platform. A part of Friends of Europe, Debating Europe is a successful online discussion platform based on a simple model: citizens ask questions, policymakers and experts respond. Since launching, it has built a 4.5 million strong community of citizens and a social media following of over 280,000 people from across Europe.

Cecilia Malmström
Cecilia Malmström

Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, former European commissioner, former Swedish minister and Trustee of Friends of Europe

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Cecilia Malmström is a renowned Swedish politician who has held various positions at the national and European level. She is currently the Swedish candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the OECD. Previously, as European Commissioner for Trade, she was at the helm of an ambitious trade agenda, seeking to benefit European citizens, SMEs and the broader economy. Cecilia was also key in negotiating bilateral trade agreements for the EU, including a comprehensive EU-China investment agreement. Throughout her tenure, she contributed to a more transparent and value-based EU trade policy. Prior to her time in Brussels, Cecilia was also Minister for EU Affairs in the Swedish government and Member of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, and on Constitutional Affairs.

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Bertalan Meskó

Founder of The Medical Futurist and 2019 European Young Leader (EYL40)

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Bertalan Meskó is The Medical Futurist and Director of The Medical Futurist Institute analyzing how science fiction technologies can become reality in medicine and healthcare. As a geek physician with a PhD in genomics, he is also an Amazon Top 100 author and a Private Professor at Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest. With 500+ presentations including courses at Harvard, Stanford and Yale Universities, Singularity University’s Futuremed course at NASA Ames campus and organizations including the 10 biggest pharmaceutical companies, he is one of the top voices globally on healthcare technology. Bertalan was featured by dozens of top publications, including CNN, the World Health Organization, National Geographic, Forbes, TIME magazine, BBC, and the New York Times. He publishes his analyses regularly on medicalfuturist.com.

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Domna Michailidou

Greek Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and 2020-2021 European Young Leader (EYL40)

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Domna Michailidou is a Greek deputy minister and economist working on growth strategy, capital markets and public finance. She was previously reforms’ advisor to Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Leader of New Democracy and Greek Prime Minister. Domna has advised several governmental and non-governmental institutions including the UN Development Programme, the British Council and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). She has also worked for the OECD in Paris and Athens as an economist and competition expert. In addition to her governmental work, Domna teaches economics courses at Cambridge and University College London and has written a number of publications and books.

Rebeca Minguela
Rebeca Minguela

Founder and CEO of Clarity AI and 2018 European Young Leader (EYL40)

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As Founder of Clarity AI, Rebeca Minguela looks to solve the problem of inefficient and unequal allocation of capital by building an automated tool which rates the investment portfolios of a range of projects, companies, governments and NGOs. Rebeca is also the Founder of the Blink Booking mobile app, an award-winning last-minute booking app that is a market leader in Europe with more than 800,000 downloads, almost 3,000 hotels and available in six languages before its sale to Groupon. Previously, Rebeca served as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group and as engineer at the German Aerospace Agency, Siemens and IBM.

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Dan Mircea Geoană

Deputy Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

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Mircea Geoana has led a distinguished domestic and international career. He served as the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United States. He was also the President of the Romanian Senate, President of the Social Democratic Party, and Chairman of the Joint Committee of the Romanian Senate and Chamber of Deputies for Romania’s Accession to the Schengen Area. Mircea is a strong advocate of transatlantic integration and has held several international positions, including OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Georgia. He is President and founder of the Aspen Institute Romania and has published extensively.

Mario Monti
Mario Monti

Italian Senator for life, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, former Italian prime minister, former European commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe

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As the Chair of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development, Mario Monti spearheads attempts to rethink health policy priorities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A distinguished economist and Italian lifetime senator, Monti has cemented his reputation as a committed supporter of the single currency and a talented negotiator, leading a government of technocrats in the wake of the Italian debt crisis in late 2011. He chaired the High-Level Group on Own Resources, a consultative committee of the European Union, aimed at proposing new forms of revenue for the European Union’s budget, which resulted in the final ‘Future Financing of the EU’ report arguing for new tax sources.

Emma Navarro
Emma Navarro

Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)

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Emma Navarro is responsible for the financing of the environment, climate action and the circular economy at the EIB. Starting off her career in the public sector, she is keen in modernising the European economy to make it more competitive while triggering growth and employment. Prior to joining the EU’s climate bank, Emma was president of the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO), director of the office of the Spain Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry and Competitiveness and advisor at the International Monetary Fund, while also being member of the Bank of Spain’s governing council and board member of the Spanish National Securities Market Commission.

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Joseph Nye

Professor of International Relations at Harvard University, political scientist, author and commentator

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Joseph Nye is ranked as one of the most influential scholars on American foreign policy. He notably co-founded, along with Robert Keohane, the international relations theory of neoliberalism. Together with Keohane, he also coined the concepts of ‘asymmetrical’ and ‘complex interdependence’. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs, Chair of the National Intelligence Council, and Deputy Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science and Technology. He is also the author of widely-published books such as “Soft Power”, “The Future of Power”, “Is the American Century Over?” and many more.

Agnes Pannier Runacher
Agnès Pannier-Runacher

French Minister for Energy Transition

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Agnès Pannier-Runacher is a French business executive and politician of La République En Marche! As Minister Delegate for Industry, she is the driving force for her country’s industrial policy. She describes her portfolio as the “ministry of solutions”, seeking to create a more sustainable outlook for the future of industry. In her previous role as Inspector of Finance at the Ministry of Finance, she pushed for stronger industrial policies as the head of the sector committee. Agnès was also at the heart of designing France’s support plan for the automobile and air traffic sector.

Samira Rafaela
Samira Rafaela

Co-chair of the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup

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Samira Rafaela is a Dutch Member of the European Parliament for the social-liberal political party D66. As such she is part of the Renew Europe Group. Rafaela ran on the promise to fight for a strong, social and secure Europe. She strongly believes that the EU is at its best when we work together to diminish inequality and celebrate our diversity. Samira brings a unique mix of background and life experiences to that end. To be “United in Diversity”, as the EU’s official motto goes. She is Co-chair of the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup.

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Mary Robinson

Former president of Ireland, Chair of the Elders and Honorary Co-President of the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF)

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Mary Robinson is a prominent Irish politician, widely recognised as having reinvented the office of the presidency during her time as President of Ireland. Mary’s passion for human rights and gender equality have seen her in the role of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy in three roles. Through the Mary Robinson Foundation, as well as her current position at The Elders, she has been a leading voice in the climate justice debate. Mary serves as Patron of the International Science Council and Patron of the Board of the Institute of Human Rights and Business, is an Ambassador for The B Team, in addition to being a board member of several organisations including the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and the Aurora Foundation.

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Tamsin Rose

Facilitator

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Tamsin Rose is Senior Fellow at Friends of Europe. Having studied international relations, she has 25 years of experience working across the European continent from Ireland to Mongolia. A natural communicator, Tamsin has been a radio reporter, worked on press for the EU Delegation in Moscow and is currently a member of the external speaker team for the European Commission Directorate General for Communication, describing how the EU works and key policies to visitor groups from around the world. Since 2002 she has specialised in public health and public participation issues, serving as Secretary General of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), and providing strategic advice for health groups on how to engage successfully with the EU.

Joakim Reiter
Joakim Reiter

Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone and former deputy director general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

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At the Vodafone Group, Joakim Reiter is responsible for public relations and corporate affairs, including policy and regulation, communications, security, sustainability and charitable activities. A Swedish diplomat by training, Joakim spent more than 15 years in the foreign service including as Ambassador to the World Trade Organization. He also worked as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and at the European Union Directorate-General for Trade in the European Commission.

Jaana Remes
Jaana Remes

Partner at the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI)

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Jaana Remes heads MGI’s research on competitiveness, growth, health and urbanisation. Her most recent research sizes the global economic and social benefits from rethinking health as an investment, not just a cost to manage. Previously, she led MGI’s research on energy, with a focus on understanding the microeconomic underpinnings of global energy demand and energy productivity. Jaana also advises global business and government leaders on these topics. She is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative of the Atlantic Council.

Nicolas Schmit
Nicolas Schmit

European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

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Nicolas Schmit is a Luxembourg politician and diplomat. Before his current position, he served in the European Parliament for over a decade. An economist by training, Nicolas was in charge of Luxembourg’s labour and employment affairs. After a short stint in academia, he joined the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held a variety of positions, including Head of the Department of International Economic Relations and Cooperation, before moving onto a Cabinet role as Minister for Labour. Prior to joining the government, Nicolas’ final diplomatic posting was as Permanent Representative to the EU.

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Jamie Shea

Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

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Retiring from NATO in September 2018 after 38 years at the organisation, Jamie Shea has occupied a number of senior positions at NATO across a wide range of areas, including external relations, press and media, and policy planning. As NATO’s spokesperson, he was the face of the Alliance during the Bosnia and Kosovo conflicts. He later worked as the Director of Policy Planning in the private office of former Secretary General Rasmussen during the preparation of NATO’s 2010 Strategic Concept. Shea is also a regular lecturer and conference speaker on NATO and European security affairs.

Alexander Stubb
Alexander Stubb

Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute and former prime minister of Finland

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From serving in the highest office in Finland to participating in the race for the European presidency and being both a Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and an academic, Alexander Stubb has done it all. As an avid supporter of the European project, he was at the centre of the negotiations during the Treaties of Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon. He has also been highly active on the national level, having served as Finance Minister, Foreign Minister and Trade and Europe Minister. For all these efforts, Alexander is widely recognised as an unparalleled force in European politics.

Dubravka Šuica
Dubravka Šuica

European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography

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Dubravka Šuica is a prominent Croatian politician, who has spent much of her career devoted to local and regional concerns. Within the new College of Commissioners, she is responsible for bringing the EU closer to its citizens and to increase trust in its democracy. Dubravka also serves as first Vice-Chair of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament. She was awarded the World Mayor Award for her work as the first female mayor of her home town of Dubrovnik. Recognised as a champion for local issues, she was appointed President of the Croatian Delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe before she joined the European Parliament in 2013.

Paul Tang
Paul Tang

Paul Tang, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Economy and Monetary Affairs

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As chair of the new permanent tax subcommittee, Paul Tang is at the forefront of the European Parliament’s fight against tax evasion, tax fraud and tax avoidance, as well as financial transparency for taxation purposes. He has become a go-to figure on tax matters, providing ardent support for the digital tax and speaking out against tax evasion. In his national capacity, Paul represented the Dutch Labour Party in the EU elections, served in several party committees and acted as Member of the House of Representatives in the Netherlands.

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Frans Timmermans

European Commission Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal

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Frans Timmermans oversees the EU’s ambitious strategy to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As set in his mission letter, he is at the forefront of fighting the climate crisis. He has pushed for reinforced private investment, new clean technologies, stronger anti-pollution measures and different transportation methods as a way forward. Previously, Frans served as first Vice-President in charge of Better Regulation, Intern-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. At the national level, he served as the Dutch Minister of European Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Nathalie Tocci
Nathalie Tocci

Director at the International Affairs Institute (IAI)

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Nathalie Tocci is a renowned expert on European foreign policy, conflict resolution, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. She is Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali and Honorary Professor at the University of Tübingen. As Special Advisor to HRVP Federica Mogherini, Nathalie wrote the European Global Strategy and worked on its implementation. Previously, she held research positions at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, the Transatlantic Academy in Washington and the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies in Florence. Nathalie was the recipient of the Anna Lindh award for her extraordinary work on European foreign policy.

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Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen

Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

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Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen is a Danish politician with extensive experience in international institutions. In his current portfolio, he is in charge of the OECD’s policy on science, technology and innovation; employment, labour and social affairs, migration, health; and entrepreneurship, SMEs, regions and cities. He also oversees the Centre for Skills and the newly established Well-Being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity Centre (WISE). Jointly with the Secretary-General, Ulrik transformed the OECD Executive Committee in Special Session into the Global Strategy Group (GSG) to create a strategic forum to better discuss issues of global relevance.

Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang
Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang

Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG)

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An expert on China and globalisation, Huiyao (Henry) Wang sits at the helm of one of the world’s top 100 think tanks. In addition to this role, he advises the Chinese government on the State Council, to which he was appointed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in 2015. Wang is a member of numerous academic networks and boards, and is a strong advocate for Track II diplomacy, promoting academic exchange between Chinese and foreign institutions. Well respected around the world for his expertise on issues such as global governance, trade and investment, migration and talent flows, he has also served as an advisor to the World Bank, IOM, ILO and the Paris Peace Forum.

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Ngaire Woods

Founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at the University of Oxford

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In her research, Ngaire Woods focuses on how to enhance the governance of organisations, the challenges of globalisation, global development, and the role of international institutions and global economic governance. She is the founder of the Global Economic Governance Programme at Oxford University and co-founded the Oxford-Princeton Global Leaders Fellowship programme. Ngaire is also the chair of the Harvard University Visiting Committee on International Engagement. She serves, amongst others, as a member of the International Advisory Panel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, on the Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, on the advisory boards of the Centre for Global Development and the African Leadership Institute.

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