Geopolitical experts discuss the challenges of multilateralism and the future of the european project at UPF-BSM

On 8 July, UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM) hosted the sixth edition of the Geopolitics Seminar, organised by the Olof Palme International Foundation and the newspaper El País. The event brought together diplomats, researchers, and international relations experts to reflect on the key challenges facing global security.

The seminar was opened by Bernat Giralt Balletbó, President of the Olof Palme International Foundation, who paid tribute to the Foundation's legacy one year after the passing of its founder, Ana Balletbó. The opening session also featured remarks by Montserrat Ballarín, Vice President of the Foundation; Miquel Noguer, Director of El País Catalunya; and José M. Martínez-Sierra, Director General of UPF-BSM.

In his address, Martínez-Sierra argued that the European Union should carry forward Olof Palme's vision of "militant pacifism" by adopting a stronger and more decisive voice on the international stage. "Europe must speak out in defence of multilateralism, a culture of peace and human rights, just as Olof Palme advocated," he said.

The seminar featured three panel discussions focusing on global security dynamics, the role of the European Union in a changing international system, and the alliances needed to build a safer world.

The first panel brought together Mariano Aguirre, researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB), and Lluís Bassets, journalist at El País, who examined the main challenges to international security, with particular attention to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The second panel, moderated by journalist Lluís Pellicer, explored the European Union's role in responding to new geopolitical realities. Participants included Carmen Colomina, Senior Research Fellow at CIDOB; Rafael Martínez, Professor of Political Science at the University of Barcelona; and security analyst Sonia Andolz.

The event concluded with a third panel moderated by journalist Elena Sevillano, featuring Pierre Schori, Swedish diplomat and politician, and Cristina Gallach, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and expert in European affairs and global governance.

Throughout the seminar, speakers highlighted the need to strengthen multilateralism and foster new international alliances to address the challenges of an increasingly complex and volatile geopolitical environment, while reflecting on the future of the European project and the European Union's role as a key actor in global governance.