20/07/2023
From the very start of their programs, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs students are exposed to training and experiences that encourage them to appraise global issues with a critical eye and come up with solutions to economic, political and social issues on a national and international level.
In this edition of the Concordia Summit, these opportunities were taken to the next level. The Concordia Europe Summit, hosted by IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs in Madrid, provided an incredible opportunity to see 75 of the world’s key decision-makers at work.
Building meaningful partnerships
Concordia is a nonprofit, apolitical organization dedicated to bringing different stakeholders together to create positive social impact. Founded in 2011, their work involves campaigning, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration in the creation of innovative, cross-sector ideas for a sustainable, prosperous future.
IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs was especially honored and delighted to host such an important event.
Dean Manuel Muñiz described the summit as “a set of very important conversations on global politics and business,” with a packed agenda highlighting the importance of such events in light of the current worldwide geopolitical landscape.
Speakers included Former President of Colombia, Iván Duque, and Former President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón, who spoke in an open session on “The Role of Latin America in Global Sustainability: Fostering Cooperation with Europe.”
A unique opportunity
Observing the array of diverse perspectives and insights from the very top of the geopolitical sphere was, for Master in International Development student Obed Amoafo, “a unique opportunity.” One of his key takeaways was witnessing such a wide array of ideas and viewpoints, and importantly, how such discussions are handled by global leaders in the space. “It was fascinating to see how individuals from different backgrounds could both differ and find common ground, contributing to a rich and meaningful exchange of ideas,” said Obed.
“Enlightening and empowering. The knowledge gained, connections made, and the overall atmosphere of collaboration and engagement left a lasting impression.”
He’s in no doubt as to the value of such opportunities to students of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, as they look to forge their own way in the sector. “It exposes us to influential leaders and experts who can inspire and broaden our horizons,” he told us. And he obviously enjoyed the chance to meet and talk with some of the top stakeholders in the sphere: “It allows us to engage in discussions with like-minded individuals, fostering networking opportunities and potential collaborations. Being a part of such events enhances our understanding of global issues and equips us with valuable insights that can inform our academic and professional pursuits.”
Uncommon access
Obed’s fellow Master in International Development student Arjun Ramachandran echoed his strong confirmation of the value of such experiences. Arjun told us that the summit had shown him that incremental change and progress is still meaningful. He was even able to ask President Calderón a question directly, demonstrating the sort of rare access that these events offer students.
“You get a chance to interact with officials and leaders that are otherwise quite difficult to reach,” he said.
“It’s really interesting to see their unvarnished opinions about foreign affairs and relevant topics, because the persona they adopt in media interviews may not necessarily reflect how they truly feel. It’s also quite insightful to see experts in the field being questioned by others who are equally knowledgeable on key topics. It really pushes us students to see the various dimensions of an issue or argument.”
Having experts and former world leaders react to real-time actions on the ground is something not everyone has access to. As a student, I believe I gained a lot of knowledge on real-world events and learned about different perspectives to issues that I feel passionately about.
So; firsthand access to honest insights and opinions from world-leading sector stakeholders. Networking opportunities, knowledge sharing and an up-close look at how discussions are handled at the very highest level of geopolitics. The 2023 Concordia Europe Summit was an outstanding example of how IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs empowers its students to lead the way as tomorrow’s global, socially conscious leaders.
