The Jacques Delors Agora 2024 is a four-day conference organized by leading institutions committed to promoting European citizenship and values. These three—the Académie Notre Europe in Paris, the Scuola di Politiche in Rome and the Academia Europea Leadership in Barcelona—brought 130 young European thinkers to the Agora to discuss the EU’s biggest challenges and future priorities with top experts and decision-makers.
IE University student Sam Ferdinand participated in the unique event. Sam is pursuing the Dual Degree in Business Administration + International Relations and currently serves as the president of the IE International Relations Society. He first found out about the event from a friend, then worked hard and secured a scholarship to attend. This experience provided valuable insights into the European Union through a series of discussions, workshops and speeches at important locations around Lisbon.
What were some of the most compelling issues raised during the Jacques Delors Agora?
We talked about many challenges facing the EU, but there were several that I found very relevant and important. They included:
- Increasing participation in European elections: Although turnout in the 2024 European elections was higher than in 2019, it was still around 50%, much lower than national election rates. We have to start finding ways to help people feel closer to EU institutions and to get them more involved.
- Adapting to geopolitical shifts: We live in a multipolar world now, with tensions between global powers, trade conflicts and wars near our borders. The EU needs to solidify its position while remaining a leading multilateral actor.
- Balancing economic growth with sustainability: The EU must grow economically and become competitive industrially while also being socially just and environmentally sustainable. We must attract investments for expansion and innovation, but in a fair and inclusive process.
- Addressing demographic changes: Europe is facing longer life expectancies, lower birth rates and significant migration. While protecting free movement, we must also remember the “right to stay” that ensures people aren’t forced to move due to difficult circumstances.
How did the debates and workshops influence your perspective on European policy-making?
I’ve always been interested in European affairs, spending a lot of time researching and forming my own views. The Agora made me rethink those completely. I learned a lot about EU trade policy and questioned my thoughts on European defense integration. I also discovered many facts from experts that I can now use in my arguments.
The most engaging workshop involved drafting a proposal to boost citizen engagement. My team’s idea revolved around on a media literacy education program incentivized by the European Commission. We had the chance to present it to the Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and received helpful feedback.
Who did you find most engaging and what insights did you gain from them?
There were several inspiring figures at the conference, but those who stood out for me included Maroš Šefčovič, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission. He gave insights into how uncertainty and crises influenced the European election results and discussed the challenges of balancing investment, growth, sustainability and social justice.
Nicole Gnesotto, Vice President of the Jacques Delors Institute, challenged my assumptions about European defense integration and showed that it is much more complex than I thought. She helped me understand why achieving strategic regional autonomy is a difficult goal and shared alternative options for EU nations to ensure their security.
Meanwhile, former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, emphasized that trade is not an end in itself but rather a means to achieve peace, growth and prosperity. However, she also stressed that this wealth should be fairly distributed or the legitimacy of the European project will be lost.
Finally, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of Portugal, shared his experiences and views on Portugal’s role in Europe and the important role youth should play in shaping the continent’s future. He generously took the time to answer many of our questions directly and in-depth. It was undoubtedly one of our most engaging sessions and brought the Agora to a satisfying conclusion.
How has IE University prepared you to participate in such prestigious international events?
I not only put the knowledge from my business and international relations courses to good use, but also drew on the intercultural skills I have acquired through studying alongside people from so many different countries and cultures. This diversity has helped me view things from perspectives that at times opposed my own, which I have always found enriching.
IE University has also provided me with many opportunities to engage in impactful initiatives and direct discussions with decision-makers from around the globe. For example, the IE International Relations Society is a hub for global politics, geoeconomics, diplomacy and other dimensions of international affairs. This year, we will form alliances with similar student organizations from universities in different countries, embarking on joint ventures. I could not be more grateful for the support IE University provides for activities like this.
Based on your experience at the Agora, how can young Europeans help shape the EU’s priorities over the next five years?
Young people will be the decision-makers in the near future, so we must prepare for that responsibility. We should learn as much as we can from different expert sources and try to move each other’s understanding forward through critical thinking and open discussion.
After that, action must be taken, for thought without action will bring no results. Young Europeans can be engaged and active in many ways: starting impactful initiatives, joining an organization that defends a cause they are passionate about or even joining politics. The Agora made me even more confident that we can and should build the future we want and not simply allow others to decide for us.
