Bridging Hemispheres: Europe and the Global South

Two decades into the 21st century, relations between the Global South and Europe are at a crossroads. While the EU has rededicated itself to global sustainable development, questions about how this will be financed are increasingly being asked. Measures like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and other unilateral trade measures exacerbate these tensions further. The Global South anticipates investment from the Global North; however, the developed world has instead earmarked these funds to address its own discontented and deprived regions.

Can increased migration be a viable alternative to the European Union's responsibilities toward sustainable development in the developing world? Or is this a dangerous cop-out? How do shifting geopolitical alliances, particularly with powers like Russia and China, alter the dynamics between Europe and developing nations? How can the EU and countries in the Global South establish partnerships that prioritise mutual respect and understanding, and foster genuine collaboration on shared global challenges?

Moderator:

Noémi Pálfalvi. Director of International Relations, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary

Initiators:

Petr Drulák, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czechia

Ákos Mernyei, adviser to the President, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Hungary

Ayoade Alakija, Chair, Board of Directors, FIND; Co-Chair, G7 Impact Investment Initiative in Global Health, United Kingdom

Jerzy Kwaśniewski, President of the Board, Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture, Poland

Ralph Schoellhammer, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Webster University Vienna, Austria

Fulufhelo Netswera, Founding Member, South African BRICS Think Tank, South Africa

Discussants:

András Király, Former Ambassador of Hungary to India

Rami Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, India

Teenah Jutton, Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mauritius

Réka Máthé, Research fellow, Europe Strategy Research Institute, Ludovika University of Public Service, Hungary

Kwame Owino, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya

Abdeta Beyene, Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation, Ethiopia

Krzysztof Zalewski, President, Micha Boym Institute for Asian and Global Studies, Poland

György Ilyásh, Researcher, Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary