• PAST EVENTS

    of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    in Cergy-Paris, Rabat or Singapore

  • Academir Year 2025-2026

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    Singapore Strategic Seminar • Geopolitics at the Gate: Rethinking Corporate Strategy in a Fragmented Global Economy

    🗓️ December 11, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Business School - Asia-Pacific Campus in Singapore

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Welcome Remarks by: Prof. Cédomir NESTOROVIC, Academic Co-Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • Facilitation by: Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • “Fragmented Order, Fluid Power: Navigating Geoeconomic Rivalries in a Multipolar Asia” - Presentation by: Dr. Alan CHONG, Senior Fellow of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University
    • “China’s Global Reach and Europe’s Dilemma: Strategic Choices for Business in a Polarized World” - Presentation by: Prof. Philippe LE CORRE, Professor of Geopolitics and Asian Studies at ESSEC Business School |
    • “Geoeconomics in Flux: Rethinking Markets and Strategies in a Fragmented Global Economy” - Presentation by: Prof. Jamus LIM, Associate Professor in Economics at ESSEC Business School
    • “From Open Markets to Strategic Frontiers: Corporate Resilience Amid Great Power Rivalry” - Presentation by: Dr. Graham ONG-WEBB, Senior Vice-President at Kroll
    • “Competing in the Crosscurrents: Corporate Strategy in Southeast Asia’s Age of Geoeconomic Rivalry” - Presentation by: Hans VRIENS, Founder & Managing Partner of Vriens & Partners
    • “Navigating Fragmented Governance: How Multinationals Adapt to Geoeconomic Rivalries” - Presentation by: Prof. Srividya JANDHYALA, Professor in Management at ESSEC Business School
    • Final Remarks by: Prof. Reetika GUPTA, Deputy Dean of ESSEC Business School, in charge of ESSEC Asia Pacific

    Geopolitics of Infrastructures: Soft Power through Hard Assets

    🗓️ December 3, 2025

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Opening Remarks by: Prof. Cedomir NESTOROVIC, Academic Co-Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • Julien MICHEL - Managing-Director, Industry Group, Transport & Environment, Natixis
    • Denis SIMONNEAU - Diplomat, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Former Director for International Affairs and Executive Committee Member, Engie
    • Mounir CORM, Directeur général adjoint et associé-fondateur de Vauban Infrastructure partners
    • Holy RANAIVOZANANY - Deputy Executive Director, Africa-Europe Foundation
    • Moderation by: Thomas FRIANG - Executive Director, ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Rabat Strategic Seminar • Rivalries of Power and Market Recomposition: Rethinking Corporate Strategy in the Age of Geoeconomics

    🗓️ November 20, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Business School, Africa Campus in Rabat

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Allocution de bienvenue par le Prof. Hugues LEVECQ, Vice-doyen de l’ESSEC Business School, chargé d’ESSEC Africa
    • Introduction par le Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-directeur académique de l’ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • Animation par Thomas FRIANG, Directeur exécutif de l’ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • « Affronter les disruptions géopolitiques, climatiques et technologiques : les CEO africains face à l’incertitude » - Présentation de S.E.Mme Assia BENSALAH ALAOUI, Ambassadrice de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI
    • « Incertitudes locales, faiblesses régionales, pressions globales… quelle feuille de route géoéconomique pour les banques commerciales africaines ? » - Présentation de M. Amine BOUABID, Président Directeur général du groupe Bank of Africa
    • « Catalyser la croissance d'un continent fragmenté : l'économie africaine en proie aux défis géopolitiques » - Présentation de Mme Lamia MERZOUKI, Directrice générale adjointe de Casa Finance City Authority
    • « Appréhender Trump 2.0 : la croissance du continent face à la nouvelle donne américaine » - Présentation de S.E.M. Abdelmalek KETTANI, ancien Ambassadeur du Royaume du Maroc en Côte d’Ivoire, ancien président du Conseil d’affaires Maroc - États-Unis
    • Conclusions par le Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-directeur académique de l’ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    Bridging the Climate–Development Finance Gap in a Fragmented World: Pathways to Effective Cooperation on the Road to Belém

    🗓️ November 7, 2025

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business and its IRENE Center for Negotiation & Mediation

    • Welcome Remarks by: Prof. Anne-Claire PACHE – Associate Dean for Strategy, Alliance & Sustainability, ESSEC Business School
    • Introductory Remarks by: Prof. Aurélien COLSON – Academic Co-Director, ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business and Director, ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotiation & Mediation
    • Helena CHARRIER – Head of Sustainable & Responsible Investing, La Banque Postale Asset Management
    • Guillaume POTTIER – Program Director for Climate and Development Finance, Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE)
    • Guillaume LAFORTUNE – Vice-president, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN)
    • Moderation and conclusions by: Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Paris Strategic Seminar • Influence, Intimidation and Interference: How Exposed Are Companies to the Risks of Hybrid Warfare?

    🗓️ 23 Octobre 2025

    📍 ESSEC Business School - Campus de La Défense

    🔴 Organisé par l'Institut Géopolitique & Business et son Centre Géopolitique, Défense & Leadership

    • Mot d’accueil - Prof. Julien MALAURENT, Directeur général adjoint de l’ESSEC Business School
    • Propos introductif - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-directeur académique de l’Institut Géopolitique & Business, et Co-directeur du Centre Géopolitique, Défense & Leadership
    • Présentation de l’OS3i - Prof. Frédéric CHARILLON, Co-directeur du Centre Géopolitique, Défense & Leadership de l’ESSEC, et Professeur des Universités à l’Université Paris Cité
    • « Guerre juridique, surcoûts économiques, braconnage des talents, contrôles à l’export… panorama des enjeux de sécurité économique à l’heure de la post-mondialisation » - Présentation par le SGDSN (Services du Premier ministre)
    • « Coercition économique et guerre informationnelle : comment certaines puissances ciblent des entreprises étrangères » - Présentation par la DGSI (Ministère de l’intérieur)
    • « Influence, intimidation et ingérence : pour les entreprises, quelle exposition aux risques de la guerre hybride ? » - Présentation par le SISSE (Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances)
    • « Capital humain et souveraineté cognitive : gouverner les talents dans un contexte de déstabilisation informationnelle » - Présentation par Airbus
    • « Influence, ingérences, intimidations : les intérêts français face aux menaces étatiques sur notre sécurité économique » - Présentation par SGDSN / VIGINUM (Services du Premier ministre)
    • « Vers une économie de guerre : que faire quand nécessité ne fait pas loi ? » - Table-ronde avec Antoine DE BRAQUILANGES, Directeur général de Helsing et Vice-amiral Loïc FINAZ, Co-directeur du Centre Géopolitique, Défense & Leadership de l’ESSEC, ancien directeur de l’Ecole de Guerre
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    European Conference of the Tricontinental Dialogue • Geopolitics Meets The Boardroom: European Businesses Navigating US-China Rivalry

    🗓️ September 17, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Business School - Cergy Campus

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Opening Address by: Prof. Aarti RAMASWAMI, Executive Vice-president in charge of pre-experience programs
    • Introducting Remarks by: Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Academic Co-Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • Moderation by: Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • "Negotiating under Pressure: Shifting Business Environment Amid Sanctions, Tech Controls and National Security Screens" - Keynote by: Dorothée ROUZET, Chief Economist of the Treasury – French Republic
    • "Geopolitics of AI: European Firms Navigating Tech Crossfire and Twin Disruptions from Silicon Valley and Zhongguancun" - Keynote by: Henri VERDIER, Ambassador for Digital Affairs – French Republic
    • "Strategic Squeeze: Europe’s Economic Repositioning in the Age of US–China Rivalry" - Keynote by: Clarisse MAGNIN-MALLEZ, Senior Partner and Managing Partner for France – McKinsey & Company
    • "Navigating US–China Rivalry: Geostrategy in Practice for European Businesses" - Keynote by: Famke KRUMBMÜLLER, Partner & EMEIA Leader of the Geostrategic Business Group – EY Parthenon
    • "Geopolitics of the Backlash: How Business Navigates Disruptions and Power Plays — Five Years into the 2030 Agenda" - Keynote by: Nils PEDERSEN, Executive Director – UN Global Compact Network France
    • "Geopolitics of Currencies: Europe's Way Amid Power Shifts and Financial Instability" - Keynote by: Jean-Patrick YANITCH, Partner & EMEA Lead for Public Sector – Oliver Wyman
    • "Energy, Power and Rivalry: Why the Energy Transition Is Now a Strategic Battlefield for Business" Keynote by: Erkki MAILLARD, Senior Vice-President for Public and International Affairs – EDF
    • Conclusions by: Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Soirée Corporate • Quelles conclusions du premier Baromètre Géopolitique & Business pour les dirigeants d'entreprise ?

    🗓️ 16 Septembre

    📍 Maison des ESSEC - Paris

    🔴 Organisé par l'Institut Géopolitique & Business

    • Mots d’accueil : Marie-Pierre SCHICKEL, Directrice générale – ESSEC Alumni
    • Allocution d’ouverture : Prof. Vincenzo VINZI, Directeur général – ESSEC Business School
    • Présentation du Baromètre Géopolitique & Business : Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-directeur académique – Institut Géopolitique & Business de l’ESSEC

    Débats autour des résultats du Baromètre Géopolitique & Business

    • Modération : Thomas FRIANG, Directeur exécutif – Institut Géopolitique & Business de l’ESSEC
    • Sébastien LE FOL, Directeur adjoint de la rédaction – L’Express
    • Gilles MOEC, Chef économiste – Axa Groupe
    • Sophie TCHATCHOUA, Directrice générale – Canal+ Rwanda & Burundi
    • Frédéric MICHEAU, Directeur général adjoint – OpinionWay
    • Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-directeur académique – Institut Géopolitique & Business de l’ESSEC
    • Léontine RELANGE, Directrice générale – TwoL & Partners

    Conclusions par la Prof. Anne-Claire PACHE, Doyenne associée à la stratégie et à l'engagement sociétal – ESSEC Business School

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    Conférence de rentrée (3/3) Bienvenue dans la post-mondialisation : l’Europe et l’Afrique sont-elles capables d’inventer une troisième voie entre Washington et Pékin ?

    🗓️ 11 Septembre de 13h30 à 16h30

    📍ESSEC Business School - Campus de Cergy

    🔴 Organisée par l'Institut Géopolitique & Business avec son Centre Européen de Droit et d'Economie et sa Chaire Business & Industrie en Afrique

    • Modération – Edouard GAUDOT, Expert-associé – Centre Européen de Droit et d'Économie de l’ESSEC
    • Philippe LE CORRE, Professeur de géopolitique et études asiatiques – ESSEC Business School
    • Benoît CHERVALIER, Banquier d’affaires, Président comité Afrique de Business Europe et Directeur exécutif de la Chaire Business et industrie en Afrique de l’ESSEC
    • Stéphanie RIVOAL, administratrice indépendante d’entreprises, ancienne ambassadrice
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    Conférence de rentrée (2/3)Bienvenue dans la post-mondialisation : les PDG face aux nouveaux risques géopolitiques et de sécurité

    🗓️ 11 Septembre de 13h30 à 16h30

    📍 ESSEC Business School - Campus de Cergy

    🔴 Organisée par l'Institut Géopolitique & Business avec son Centre Géopolitique, Défense & Leadership

    • Modération – Prof. Frédéric CHARILLON, Co-directeur – Centre Géopolitique, Défense & Leadership de l’ESSEC
    • Général Bernard DE COURRÈGES, Enseignant en géopolitique – ESSEC Business School ; Ancien Directeur – IHEDN
    • Prof. Radu VRANCEANU, Professeur et responsable du département d’économie – ESSEC Business School
    • Amiral Olivier LEBAS, Conseiller défense de la direction générale – Airbus
    • Amiral Stanislas GOURLEZ DE LA MOTTE, Conseiller Marine du PDG – Naval Group ; Président du Comité Défense – GICAN
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    Conférence de rentrée (1/3)Bienvenue dans la post-mondialisation : sanctions, contrôles, tarifs douaniers… comment les entreprises font-elles face à cette nouvelle ère économique ?

    🗓️ 11 Septembre de 13h30 à 16h30

    📍 ESSEC Business School - Campus de Cergy

    🔴 Organisée par l'Institut Géopolitique & Business avec son Centre IRENE sur la Négociation et la Médiation

    • Modération – Florent BLANC, Directeur du programme « Négociateurs d’Europe » – Centre IRENE pour la Négociation et la Médiation de l’ESSEC Business School
    • Jean-Marc FENET, Senior Fellow – Institut Géopolitique & Business de l’ESSEC
    • Me. Alexandre CELSE, Associé – Brocardi Celse Associés
    • Marianne ESTÈVE, Directrice Sanctions Internationales, Embargos et Contrôle des Exportations – Groupe La Poste ; Présente de la Commission Douanes – MEDEF
  • Academir Year 2024-2025

    Securing Critical Minerals: Geopolitics, Economics, and Sustainability in a New Age of Resource Competition

    🗓️ July 2nd, 2025

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Christophe POINSSOT, Director-General Delegate of BRGM
    • Thierry VIRCOULON, Associate Research Fellow at IFRI, Coordinator of the IFRI Observatory of Central and Southern Africa
    • Ambassador Daniel JOUANNEAU, Diplomatic Advisor at ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotiation & Mediation
    • Closing remarks - Thomas Friang, Executive Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Europe's New Competitive Pact: Rethinking Growth, Sovereignty, and Strategic Autonomy

    🗓️ June 17, 2025

    📍ESSEC - Cergy Campus

    🔴Organized by the ESSEC Center for European Law & the Economy

    • Keynote Speaker - Gilles BRIATTA, Senior Counsel at Gide Loyrette Nouel
    • EU Competitivness & Energy Policy - Michel DERDEVET, Executive Vice-president at Naarea, Senior Advisor at EY Parthenon, President at Confrontations Europe
    • EU Competitivness & Digital Policy - Myriam EL ANDALOUSSI, Lawyer at CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats
    • EU Competitivness & Health Policy - Jean-Régis KUNEGEL, Expert, Center for European Law & Economics
    • Students from the ESSEC European Affairs Track
    • Moderator: Prof. Viviane DE BEAUFORT, Director of the ESSEC Center for European Law & the Economics

    The European Union and the Franco-German Tandem in the Age of American Power Projection

    🗓️ June 2nd, 2025

    📍ESSEC Business School - Cergy Campus

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Benjamin HADDAD, Minister Delegate for Europe, French Republic
    • Gunther KRICHBAUM, Minister Delegate for Europe, Federal Republic of Germany
    • Moderation - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-academic Director, ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • Closing Remarks - Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director, ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Trump 2.0 Beyond Borders: Geopolitical Risks and Opportunities for Business and Investors

    🗓️ April 17th, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Business School - Asia-Pacific Campus in Singapore

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Steven OKUN, CEO of APAC Advisors
    • Deborah ELMS, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation
    • Moderation - Prof. Cédomir NESTOROVIC, Co-academir director of ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    French Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific in Times of Global Disruptions

    🗓️ April 14th, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Asia Pacific campus in Singapore

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Jean-Noël BARROT, French Minister for European and Foreign Affairs
    • Moderation - Prof. Cédomir NESTOROVIC, Co-academir director of ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    Europe, Defense, Economy: Poland’s Defining Moment

    🗓️ April 4th, 2025

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Ambassador Daniel JOUANNEAU, Diplomatic Advisor to ESSEC IRENÉ
    • Ambassador Pierre BUHLER, Former Ambassador of France to Poland
    • Maciej WITUCKI, President of the Lewiatan Confederation and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Orange Polska
    • Moderation - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-academir director of ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Integrating New Technologies in Modern High-Intensity Naval Warfare: the Clemenceau example

    🗓️ March 3rd, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Asia Pacific Campus in Singapore

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Opening Remarks - Ambassador Stephen MARCHISIO, Ambassador of France to Singapore
    • Rear Admiral Jacques MALLARD, Commander of the French Carrier Strike Group
    • Dr. Michael RASKA, Assistant Professor in the Military Transformations Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University
    • Asha HEMRAJANI, Senior Fellow at the Centre of Excellence in National Security at RSIS
    • Moderation - Dr. Paco MILHIET, Post-doctoral Researcher at RSIS
    • Closing Remarks - Professor Reetika GUPTA, Deputy Dean of ESSEC Asia Pacific

    International Companies Facing Sanctions

    🗓️ February 2nd, 2025

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Ambassador Pierre SELLAL, Ambassador of France, Senior Counsel at August & Debouzy
    • Aude LONDERO, Counsel at August & Debouzy
    • Ambassador Daniel JOUANNEAU, Diplomatic Advisor to ESSEC IRENÉ
    • Moderation - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-academir director of ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Geopolitical Rivalries and the Global Economy: What Priorities for the European Union?

    🗓️ February 6th, 2025

    📍 ESSEC Business School campus in Cergy

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    • Opening Rermarks - Prof. Vincenzo VINZI, Dean & President, ESSEC Business School
    • Enrico LETTA, President of the Jacques Delors Institute, former Prime Minister of Italy
    • Closing Remarks - Prof. Anne-Claire PACHE, Dean for Strategy, Sustainability and Alliances, ESSEC Business School
    • Moderation - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Co-academir director of ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
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    Navigating the Global Supply Chain Shift: Mexico's Strategic Position in the Current Landscape

    🗓️ January 23rd, 2025
    📍 ESSEC Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore
    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
    • Luis CORONADO, EY Global Controversy Leader and Chairman of the Singapore-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
    • Wilfredo RAMOS, President of UPS APAC Region
    • Ms Gabriela VALDEPENAS, Congresswoman of the National Assembly of Mexico
    • Moderation - Prof. Cédomir NESTOROVIC, Co-academir director of ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business

    10th Anniversary of ESSEC IRENE EUROPA

    🗓️ December 2nd, 2024

    📍 Brussels

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotation & Mediation

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    Where does Iran go?

    🗓️ November 26th, 2024

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴 Organized by the ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotation & Mediation

    • Bernard HOURCADE, Emeritus Research Director at the CNRS
    • Fahimeh ROBIOLLE, Vice-President of the France-Iran Club
    • Aurélien COLSON, Professor of Political Science at ESSEC Business School, Director of IRENÉ
    • Daniel JOUANNEAU, Senior Adviser for Diplomatic Affairs at ESSEC/IRENÉ

    Women, Peace & Security

    🗓️ October 10th, 2024

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴Organized by the ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotation & Mediation

    • Pauline AMBROGI, PhD in Contemporary History, writer and poet, former representative of the NGO Make Mothers Matter at UNESCO, author of Mother and Peace
    • Fanny BENEDETTI, Founder of RISE Conseil, gender and inclusion expert with UNHCR, Co-author of Feminist Struggles Around the World
    • Fahimeh ROBIOLLE, Vice-President of the France-Afghanistan Club, Lecturer at ESSEC and in Kabul, Author of Women, Life, Freedom: Let’s Talk About It
    • Moderation - Linda BENRAÏS, Affiliate Professor at ESSEC IRENÉ

    Geopolitics - A High-Stakes New Season

    🗓️ September 26th, 2024

    📍 Online Webinar

    🔴Organized by the ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotation & Mediation

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    Enlighten. Lead. Change.