On 10 January 2025, the European Civilisation Chair organised a debate on “Peace and War: Solidarity in International Politics” featuring two distinguished speakers:
- Dr Bruno MAÇÃES, Former Minister of European Affairs of Portugal (joining us on-site)
- Professor Hans KUNDNANI, Associate fellow and former Europe Programme Director at Chatham House (joining us online)
With the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating conflicts in the Middle East, international politics is becoming increasingly volatile and unpredictable. These crises are marked by widespread destruction, significant civilian casualties, and a large influx of refugees presenting critical challenges not only to the nations directly affected but also to the global community tasked with responding.
A key principle of just and sustainable international relations is the responsibility to assist nations devastated by imperial and military violence. Yet, a pressing question arises: is the West truly prepared to uphold this commitment on a global scale?
This timely and thought-provoking question formed the core of the debate between Dr Bruno MAÇÃES and Prof. Hans KUNDNANI offering insights into the intersection of war, peace, and international solidarity.
About the speakers:
Dr Bruno MAÇÃES is former Minister of European Affairs in Portugal, Mr MAÇÃES represented his country during pivotal moments such as the eurozone crisis, the first Ukraine war, and Brexit. An accomplished author, he has written four books since 2018, focusing on geopolitics, China, Russia, and technology. Holding a doctorate in political science from Harvard, he has been a fellow at Renmin University in China, the Hudson Institute in Washington, and currently the Wilfried Martens Centre in Brussels. His latest book, Geopolitics for the End Time, was published in September 2024.
Professor Hans KUNDNANI is adjunct professor at New York University and visiting professor in practice at the London School of Economics, Prof. KUNDNANI has held leadership roles at prestigious institutions such as Chatham House, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and the European Council on Foreign Relations. He has also been a fellow at the Remarque Institute (NYU) and the Transatlantic Academy in Washington, D.C., and has previously taught at the College of Europe in Natolin.