Event moderator Professor Jos Delbeke, EIB Chair on Climate Policy and International Carbon Markets, warmly introduced Ribera by recounting his shared history with her at the European Commission and his respect for her unwavering commitment to climate policy.
In her keynote speech, now available to watch on the EUI YouTube channel, Teresa Ribera tackled critical issues such as transnational cooperation, the ‘Just Transition', and the distinct need to hold on to EU values of democracy, security and human rights.
On the topic of sustaining the EU's global credibility, Ribera emphasised the importance of the values European countries offer as an economic partner, such as reliability, stability and predictability: "If we want to feel comfortably proud [...] to be the next face of the bright future of Europeans, we need to speak for values and principles but also be wise on how we update the tools and the relations not only with the rest of the world but also among ourselves".
Ribera touched upon her thoughts on the Just Transition, emphasising the need to provide industrial alternatives to the communities affected and to avoid the psychological distress that can come from groups feeling left behind. Instead, local players should be the ones deciding their own definition of the future: "we need to provide alternatives so that people are not left with nothing", Ribera asserted.
Ribera answered various questions on European security, climate protection and competitiveness, but ended with an optimistic message to the attendees, encouraging the young people in the audience to avoid giving in to fear and skepticism: "Be bold, be loud, be clear, stand up [...] we count on you", she stated.
Giorgio La Pira lecture series:
Hosted at the Palazzo Buontalenti, this event was the fourth instalment of the Distinguished Giorgio La Pira lecture series named after Giorgio La Pira, a visionary mayor of Florence and advocate for social justice, peace, and cross-border dialogue. Organised in partnership with Fondazione CR Firenze, the series aims to build bridges between Europe and other continents.
As part of the partnership, the Fondazione CR Firenze offers four scholarships per academic year to students who embody Giorgio La Pira's vision of cross-border peace. Recipients of these scholarships are provided with the opportunity to pursue a master's degree in Transnational Governance at the STG. Isabella Velásquez - a recipient of the Fondazione CR Firenze Giorgio La Pira scholarship – attended the lecture: “I believe that preserving the values of cooperation between Latin America and Europe is essential to addressing global challenges such as climate change", Velásquez noted after the event.
The full Distinguished Giorgio La Pira lecture with Teresa Ribera is now available on our YouTube channel. To be updated on future events, follow our LinkedIn page.