José Manuel Durão Barroso visits IE University as Distinguished Fellow of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs
The Distinguished Fellowship Program, which currently includes prominent figures such as Paolo Gentiloni and Iván Duque and will soon add Cecilia Malmström, links IE University students with leading global policymakers.
José Manuel Durão Barroso, former President of the European Commission and former Prime Minister of Portugal, visited IE University last week as part of The Distinguished Fellowship Program, an initiative led by IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs to bring influential global leaders to IE University.
During his visit, Mr. Barroso took part in the event “The Role of Public Policy in Europe,” joined by Connie Hedegaard, former European Commissioner for Climate Action, and Clément Beaune, France's High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning, and former Minister Delegate for Europe. The discussion, moderated by Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs and former Prime Minister of Italy, also marked the official launch of IE University’s new Master in Public Policy.
Mr. Barroso also engaged directly with students in a session titled “How to Educate Yourself to Become a Prime Minister?”, moderated by Borja Santos, Associate Dean of the School. He shared key insights on the skills, competencies and values essential for effective public leadership, drawing from his extensive experience at the highest levels of European and national governance.
Mr. Barroso served as President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014, navigating the institution through major challenges including the global financial crisis in 2011 and Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. Prior to that, he was Prime Minister of Portugal from 2002 to 2004.
His participation in the Distinguished Fellowship Program underscores IE University’s commitment to fostering global dialogue and academic excellence. The program brings internationally renowned public leaders to campus and has previously welcomed figures such as Paolo Gentiloni, who served as Prime Minister of Italy from 2016 to 2018 and as European Commissioner for Economy from 2019 to 2024, and Iván Duque, President of Colombia from 2018 to 2022. Former European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström will become the next Distinguished Fellow in January 2026.