PAST EDITIONS
With more than 498 speakers, more than 17 649 attendees from more than 130 countries, the Estoril Conferences were always driven by the willingness to being an educational project and a pedagogical tool to create impact in the society.
Believing in the extraordinary role of people to change the course of history, the Estoril Conferences were an instrument of action to allow people to change the world.
The previous editions of the Estoril Conferences were turning around one main overall theme being “Time to Rethink”.
Since 2009, Estoril Conferences has been the international stage for the past six successful editions. Several Nobel prize winners, Heads of State and high-level leaders have traveled to Portugal, for an open and impactful dialogue on global challenges.
In October 2024, the Estoril Conferences convened under the theme “Time to ReThink,” reflecting on a world facing unprecedented challenges: geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts, technological advancements, and environmental crises.
Co-organized with the Harvard Digital Data Design Institute, the conference emphasized the need to reassess our approaches to peace, policy, AI, climate, and longevity. Discussions focused on fostering multilateralism, combating polarization, and promoting holistic well-being
With participation from global leaders, academics, and youth, the 2024 edition reinforced the Estoril Conferences’ commitment to inspiring collective action for a better future.
Andreas Heddini
Carlos Gonçalves das Neves
Derek Ali
John Amuasi
Michael Sheldrick
Co-founder of Global Citizen & Author of “From Ideas to Impact”
Mónica Ferro
Director of the London Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Rui Diogo
Multi-Awarded Researcher & Writer
Senida Mesi
Development Economist & Former Deputy Prime Minister of Albania
Yulia Svyrydenko
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine
The 2023 edition marked the beginning of a new annual cycle for the Estoril Conferences, co-organized by Nova SBE and NOVA Medical School. Held in September, the conference adopted the theme “Re-Humanize Our World,” addressing the need for empathy, inclusivity, and holistic well-being in an increasingly digital and divided world.
Key topics included climate change, the social impact of technology, trust in political institutions, and the integration of AI in healthcare. Notable speakers like Sameera Chukkapalli (Obama Foundation) and Erden Eruç (human-powered circumnavigator) provided unique perspectives.
The conference’s four pillars—People, Planet, Peace, and New Policies—guided discussions aimed at fostering a more humane and sustainable global society
Alexandra Palt
Executive Vice-President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of L’Óréal & Executive Vice-President of the L’Óreal Foundation
Cristina Duarte
Under-Secretary-General & Special Advisor on Africa to the UN Secretary-General
Fernando Bozza
Health Policy & Researcher at OECD
Fola Davi
Medical Doctor & Artist at Fola David Foundation
Karim Lakhani
Dorothy & Michael Hintze Professor at Harvard Business School
Luís Cabral
Professor at NYU Stern School of Business
Miguel Stilwell D’Andrade
CEO at EDP
Viviane Naimy
Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration & Economics at Notre Dame University
In September 2022, the Estoril Conferences returned with renewed energy, embracing a new identity and a broader mission. Under the theme “The Purpose Generation: Becoming the Changemakers of Tomorrow,” the event focused on empowering young leaders to drive meaningful change in a complex world.
Over two days, discussions spanned seven global challenges, including climate change, social inequality, technological disruption, and global governance. The conference emphasized actionable insights, encouraging participants to identify practices to stop and initiatives to start, fostering a more balanced and sustainable future.
With over 100 purpose-driven speakers and parallel events in Colombia, Canada, Finland, and the UK, the 2022 edition marked a significant step in global engagement and youth empowerment.
Aya Chebbi
Former African Union Youth Envoy, Founder & Chair of Nala Feminist Collective Tunisia
Bodour Al Qasimi
President of the International Publishers Association
José Ulisses Correia e Silva
Minister of Cape Verde
Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic
Former President of Croatia
Peter Bakker
President & CEO of the WBCSD
Princess Zahra Aga Khan
Aga Kahn Development Network
Roman Dobrokhotov
Founder & Editor-in Chief of The Insider
Yulia Tymoshenko Former
Prime Minister of Ukraine
Empowering Humanity: From Local to Global Justice
The XX century was filled with tragic events, but it also gave humanity the opportunity to rebuild its dignity from the ashes. In a world where information circulates at the speed of light, local problems have become global. And with a continuous flow of ideas connecting people all over the world, it is now inconceivable for a nation to project its future in isolation. More than focusing on the relationship between States, a global approach to justice must largely focus on individuals – not only their inalienable rights but also their binding duties towards one another. Our purpose will be to unveil what lies at the core of human interactions of any kind, including state-level obligations, within countries and beyond borders.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Estoril Conferences, the 2019 edition yearns to synthesize and bridge the dominant challenges posed by globalization in the last decade, revisiting the way we have approached them through the years. Thus, the Estoril Conferences promoted the dialogue between theory and praxis, ethics and politics, past and future, seniors and youngsters.
Aminata Touré
Prime Minister of Senegal 2013-2014
BERNARD KOUCHNER
Co-Founder of Médecins Sans Frontières and Médecins du Monde & 1999 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Catarina de Albuquerque
Lawyer and Human rights activist
Denis Mukwege
2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Edmund Phelps
2006 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics
Garrett McNamara
Professional Surfer & Environmental Activist
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
President of the Republic of Croatia & Member of the International Advisory Board for the Estoril Conferences 2019
Sergio Moro
Former Minister of Justice and Public Security of Brazil
Global Migration – Leaving home in a globalized world
The fifth edition of the Estoril Conferences happened between May 29 and May 31, 2017, and was exclusively dedicated to the theme of Global Migration.
People migrate. From our predecessor Homo Erectus, who moved out of Africa across Europe more than a million years ago, followed by the known expansions of Homo Sapiens, to the more recent example of States that have virtually been built upon immigration, humans have always been on the move. Yet, migration is often perceived as a threat or unique burden with which polities are faced.
Two major topics were addressed: firstly, the question of migration as a challenge per se. The goal was to reflect upon migration outside a crisis conjuncture – what challenges does regular migration bring to the world and to the States?
Secondly, we addressed challenges that are brought by a scenario of migration crises, as the refugees’ crisis of 2015 – and that place higher demands not only on transit and host countries but also on the global level.
Arie Kacowicz
Professor Hebrew University of Jerusalem
EDWARD SNOWDEN
Intelligence contractor; Systems Administrator; activist
FAREEDA KHALAF
Author, student
Jody WIlliams
1997 Nobel Peace Prize and political activist
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT
Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group and Albright Capital, 64th Secretary of State of the United States
MARCELO REBELO DE SOUSA
President of the Portuguese Republic
Sofana Dalhan
Lawyer and social entrepreneur
Yannis Behrakis
Photojournalist and a Senior editor with Reuters
Global challenges, local answers
The fourth edition of the Estoril Conferences took place between May 20th and May 22nd 2015 and was focusing on the overall theme of “Global Challenges, Local Answers”, giving importance this year to 3 main topics:
- Special Forum on Education: The Millennials, the Future of Work and Education
- Economy, Business and Society
- Democracy, Security and Global Dialogue
CARLOS LOPES
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa
FRANCIS FUKUYAMA
Political scientist, political economist, and writer
GEORGIOS ANDREAS PAPANDREOU
Former prime minister of Greece
Jack Healey
JOHN STEWART
Head of Green School in Bali, Indonesia
Rickard Falkvinge
Founder of the Pirate Party in Sweden and campaigns for sensible information policy
TASHMIA ISMAIL
Fellow at UNU Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology
VANDANA SHIVA
Foundations of Quantum Theory on the topic “Hidden Variables and Non Locality in Quantum Theory”
Global challenges, local answers
The third edition of the Estoril Conferences took place between April 30th and May 3rd 2013, with several presentations and panels by global leaders and thinkers. Other events included a round Table with Overseas Ambassadors and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs on “Portugal and Globalisation”, the Estoril Youth Summit, Glotalks (inspirational presentations by invited guests), bilateral meetings throughout the whole program, a Gala Award Ceremony and Dinner.
Bunker Roy
Estela Barbot
Former Counselor at the International Monetary Fund
Frederik Willem de Klerk
Former President of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize in 1993
George Yip
Co-Director of China-Europe International Business School
John Burton
Former prime minister of Ireland
Pedro Passos Coelho
Former prime minister of Portugal
Shirin Ebadi
Viktor Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister
Global challenges, local answers
The second edition of the Estoril Conferences on Global Challenges, Local Answers took place between 4 and 6 May at the Estoril Congress Centre. The conference gathered distinguished speakers who discussed current issues of globalisation throughout the course of four thematic panels: the architecture of global governance; the consequences of the economic and financial crisis; the major challenges to human security; and the impact of globalisation on domestic policies.
This edition gave a particular emphasis on the political and social transformations that was taking place in the Maghreb and the Middle East. Special attention was also paid to the euro crisis and its impact on European integration.
Dominique de Villepin
Former Prime-Minister of France
Francis Fukuyama
Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
GEORGES LANDAU
President of Prismax Consulting
Howard Dean
Former Governor of Vermont and former President of the Democratic National Committee
Larry King
CNN journalist, television and radio host
Mohamed ElBaradei
Nobel Laureate for Peace and Former Vice-President of Egypt
Pauline van der Meer Mohr
Chair of the Supervisory Board of EY Netherlands LLP, Deputy-Chair of the Supervisory Board of Royal DSM N.V. and independent non-executive director of Viatris, Inc
Petra Laurentien
UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development
Global challenges, local answers
The first Estoril Conferences meeting, entitled “Global Challenges, Local Answers” was held on 7-9 May 2009 at the Estoril Congress Centre.
The Estoril Conferences were organized using a “problem-solving” approach to globalization and were based on the need of finding both global and local solutions while global challenges were rising, having as target audience Government officials, politicians, CEOs and managers, scholar, students, journalists and opinion makers.
The Estoril Conferences were jointly organized by the Municipality of Cascais, the DNA Cascais and the Institute for Strategic and International Studies.
Álvaro de Vasconcelos
Director of the EU Institute for Security Studies,
Chris Skrebowski
Founding Director of Peak Oil Consulting
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Former President of Brazil
Isabel Aguilera
Former CEO Google and GE, Spain and Portugal
Mary Robinson
Former president of the Republic of Ireland.
Radha Kumar
UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development
Samir Amin
President of Prismax Consulting
Tony Blair
Former Primer Minister of the United Kingdom