
About
Set amidst the European and global recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the return of great power competition, and the new security challenges they present, the Portuguese Presidency to the EU has committed its efforts to strengthening and promoting a recovery leveraged by the climate and digital transitions, the European social model and Europe’s strategic autonomy, keeping it open to the world.
This Critical Thinking Live with João Gomes Cravinho, Portuguese Minister of Defence, will set out Portugal’s priorities on peace security and defence during the Presidency and will discuss the Minister’s thoughts on the future approach to security and defence matters for Europe; the EU’s approach to its neighbourhood and the wider global stage; and his views and hopes for the EU Strategic Compass.
Schedule
Speakers

Portuguese Minister of Defence
João Gomes Cravinho is a seasoned Portuguese diplomat and politician. Prior to his current appointment, Gomes Cravinho focused his attention on the world’s top emerging markets, acting as the EU 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 – Lisbon University Institute and NOVA University Lisbon. He has also authored a book, “Visões do Mundo”, as well as numerous articles in specialised academic publications and newspapers.

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe
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 sectors and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.
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