From 23 to 27 February, Brussels became the classroom for the first cohort of the Global Executive Master (GEM). Participants engaged directly with the people shaping Europe’s response to a rapidly changing world, with guests including members of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, and NATO, as well as leading voices in media, business and public affairs.
“Through high-level engagements across the EU institutions, we've had the opportunity to bridge academia with policymaking. For me, personally, it was a chance to engage with these stakeholders in a different way, together with a diverse cohort stretching beyond my industrial experience. It was truly inspiring!” said Wadia Fruergaard, Head of Policy & EU Affairs at Vestas.
Bringing the cohort together in person once again, the week opened with a two-day module on Strategic Foresight at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), led by Andrea Renda and his team. Sessions explored strategic foresight, AI governance, and the future of work, with contributions from experts including Thomas Hemmelgarn and Maria Demertzis. Participants were equipped with practical tools to navigate complexity and prepare for fundamental uncertainty – a theme that would shape the entire visit.
At the European External Action Service, Alexandros Yannis, Head of Division for Policy Planning and Strategic Foresight, set the tone while discussing the EU’s priorities in foreign and security policy: “We live in a world of uncertainty. The question is how we become proactive rather than reactive.” Strengthening defence capabilities, stabilising neighbouring regions and building resilient partnerships emerged as central themes.
At the European Commission, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera engaged in an open exchange on competitiveness, digital regulation and climate. When asked how the EU can remain a climate champion while preserving industrial competitiveness, she was unequivocal: “The EU is a climate champion and must remain a champion.”
Responding to questions about Europe's economic positioning in a fragmented global economy, Ribera stressed that cooperation and openness remain strategic strengths rather than vulnerabilities. On digital governance, including how tools such as the Digital Services Act can combat misinformation, she underlined the importance of implementation and civic responsibility, noting that younger generations in particular must be equipped to distinguish fact from manipulation.
At the Council of the European Union, Luca Swart briefed participants on the unprecedented scope of EU sanctions adopted in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with more than 5,000 entities listed. The discussion examined how political decisions translate into concrete legal instruments and how coordination across Member States ensures enforcement, an area also addressed in the executive training course on EU sanctions offered in May at the Florence School of Transnational Governance.
Beyond the Commission and Council, the programme broadened its institutional and strategic lens. At the European Parliament, participants explored how MEPs navigate legislative negotiations and manage so-called ‘burning’ dossiers in an increasingly complex political environment. Discussions at BusinessEurope examined the EU competitiveness agenda and how businesses anticipate regulatory and industrial shifts, while a visit to POLITICO Europe offered insight into how EU narratives are shaped within the Brussels ecosystem.
Understanding influence was a key dimension discussed at FleishmanHillard with Aaron McLoughlin. As the instructor of the executive course Unboxing the Commission that will be held in October, in which professionals learn how to engage strategically with the EU Executive, he challenged participants to refine their approach to advocacy. “Public affairs is about understanding your audience and aligning interests with the public interest,” he underlined.
Concluding the institutional visits with NATO, participants met with the Acting Head of the Policy Planning Unit and the Speechwriter for the Secretary General, exploring how long-term strategic thinking informs alliance priorities in a complex geopolitical environment - closely linked to the strategic foresight themes addressed earlier in the week.
By the end of the week, one message was clear: effective leadership in Europe today depends on the ability to anticipate risks, adapt quickly and make decisions in conditions of uncertainty.
“The visit reinforced my understanding that today’s geopolitical uncertainty is structural and multidimensional, requiring sustained coordination across institutions and policy areas,” added Pawel Czajkowski, Legal & Public Policy Director at Agora.
Next, the cohort continues its journey with the GEM Global Challenge study visit to China in May, further exploring governance in a multipolar world.