New Geopolitical Order in Eastern Europe
19 Oct 2023 - Moldova, not being a member state of the European Union or of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is confronted with unique vulnerabilities and complexities in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, will address the role of Moldova within the broader geopolitical context of Eastern Europe at ETH Zürich.
The keynotes by the two Presidents will be followed by a Q&A session, moderated by Professor Lars-Erik Cederman, chair of the International Conflict Research Group at the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences of ETH Zürich. The lecture is introduced by Prof. Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zürich.
The lecture is open only for ETH Zürich and University of Zurich members.
New Geopolitical Order in Eastern Europe
Thursday, 19 October 2023
15.30 - 16.40
HG F30 Audimax, door opens at 15.00
This lecture is in English. Registration is required.
Register external pagehere.
Programme
- Welcome words by the President of ETH Zürich, Joël Mesot
- Introduction words by Mr external pageAlain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation
- Keynote speech by Her Excellency Ms external pageMaia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova
- Q&A moderated by Professor Lars-Erik Cederman, International Conflict Research, ETH Zürich
Maia Sandu
Maia Sandu graduated 1994 from the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, Faculty of Management. From 1995 to 1998, she studied at the Academy of Public Administration in Chisinau, obtaining a Master’s degree in International Relations. Between July 1994 and March 1998, she held the position of Consultant, Deputy head of department at the Ministry of Economy. From 1998 until 2010, she held positions at the World Bank, at the Ministry of Economy and Trade and as a consultant in public administration. In 2010, she obtained a Master's degree in public policy, after completing her studies at the Kennedy School of Public Administration at Harvard University. From June 2010 until July 2012, she was the Adviser of the Executive Director of the World Bank in Washington DC. In July 2012, she became the Minister of Education in the Government of the Republic of Moldova, a position she held until July 2015. In May 2016, she founded the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). From February to June 2019, she acted as a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. In June 2019, she was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, a position she held until November 2019. On December 24, 2020, Maia Sandu was sworn in as the President of the Republic of Moldova, after her victory in the second round of the presidential elections.
Alain Berset
Alain Berset studied Political Science and Economics at the University of Neuchâtel where he graduated in 1996, later obtaining a doctorate in 2005. In 2003, Alain Berset was elected to the Council of States for the canton of Fribourg and was its president in 2008/2009. From 2005 until his election to the Federal Council he was vice president of the Social Democratic group. He was a member of numerous parliamentary committees, including the Finance Committee, the Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxation, the Legal Affairs Committee and the Finance Delegation. He chaired the Council Office, the Political Institutions Committee and the Delegation to the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie. Before his election to the Council of States he was president of the Social Democratic group in the Constitutional Council of canton Fribourg. He was elected to the Federal Council by the United Federal Assembly on 14 December 2011. He has been Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs since 1 January 2012. He was president of the Swiss Confederation for 2018, and again for 2023.