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PAST EVENTS
of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
in Cergy-Paris, Rabat or Singapore
Academir Year 2025-2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
- Opening remarks - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Academic Co-Director of the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
- Pascale MASSOT, Associate Professor at the School of Political Studies at University of Ottawa, and Author of China's Vulnerability Paradox : How the World's Largest Consumer Transformed Global Commodity Markets
- 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

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
- Opening Remarks - Prof. Vincenzo VINZI, Dean & President, ESSEC Business School
- 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
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

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
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

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
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
- Ambassador Philippe LEGLISE-COSTA, Permanent Representative of France to the European Union
- Vincenzo VINZI, Professeur, Dean & President, ESSEC Business School
- Aurélien COLSON, Professor of Political Science at ESSEC, Director of ESSEC IRENÉ, Coordinator of the “Geopolitics & Negotiation” and “Geopolitics, Defense & Leadership” academic tracks at ESSEC
- Linda BENRAÏS, Affiliate Professor, Program Director for Governance at ESSEC IRENE Center for Negotiation & Mediation
- Marie-Pierre SCHIECKEL, Director-General, ESSEC Alumni
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
- Vincent BARRAILLER, Professor of Geopolitics (Management Practice) at ESSEC, Academic Coordinator in the Global BBA Program
- Frédéric CHARILLON, University Professor of Political Science, Defense Advisor to ESSEC IRENÉ, Co-Director of the “Geopolitics, Defense & Leadership” Center at ESSEC
- Aurélien COLSON, Professor of Political Science at ESSEC, Director of ESSEC IRENÉ, Coordinator of the “Geopolitics & Negotiation” and “Geopolitics, Defense & Leadership” academic tracks at ESSEC
- Jean-Marc FENET, Former Minister-Counsellor at the French Embassies in India and China, Senior Fellow at ESSEC IRENÉ
- Philippe LE CORRE, Professor of Geopolitics (Management Practice) at ESSEC, Senior Fellow for Foreign Policy at the Asia Society Policy Institute – Center for China Analysis, Head of the Asia Program at ESSEC IRENÉ
- Joseph MAÏLA, Former Director of the Center for Analysis, Planning and Strategy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Program Director
Enlighten. Lead. Change.










