Following the great outcomes and lasting successes of the similar programs in Europe (Vienna and Geneva most notably), one of the leading African economic institutes along with its European (think-tank, academia, cultural diplomacy, and media) partners, and its Asian and Latin American associates, decided to launch the special executive program for future business executives on its own.

As a part of the notable series (within the Institute’s Certified Economic Diplomat Program) concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, the former UK Defence Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Hoon gave a highly informative and content intensive lecture for the IEF participants and invited (practitioners and academia) guests. 

Sir Geoffrey Hoon received his education at Jesus College in Cambridge. Later in his exceptional career, he has taught at universities in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Secretary Hoon is a trained lawyer and a former senior cabinet member in the Tony Blair’s Labour government of the United Kingdom.

Excellency Hoon has held a number of senior ministerial roles in addition to his time spent as a Member of Parliament (1992–2010) and a member of the European Parliament (1984–1994). From there, Secretary Hoon worked his way up to become an experienced senior industry executive with AgustaWestland, where he operated in both the defence and civil aerospace markets on an international scale. And more recently, he has held positions as a non-executive director (NED) as well as the chair of a charity and a private sector organization.

During the content-intensive exchanges with the IEF’s CED participants, Sir Hoon elaborated on his career path, notably his role in the Labour Party, while contextualizing it in the general historical framework (pre-modern and modern political history) of Britain. He generously and enthusiastically shared elaborate views on the political structure of the United Kingdom and its main power brokers. In addition, he discussed the political development of the nation's history in the post WWI, interwar and post-WWII periods.

The Post-war recovery, European integrations, Cold War, formation of multilateral forums in Europe (such as the Council of Europe, EEC, and Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe), fall of the Berlin wall and subsequent democratization in Eastern Europe, NATO and its R2P (Responsibility to Protect) role, Brexit, Euro-MED dialogue as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and in Gaza (than increasingly jeopardises balance, passions and drives of the entire MENA theatre) were main point that mesmerized participants all through the frank and open talk.

Vivid exchanges of views and opinions marked the closuring part of the two-hour long lecturing and tour-de-table. Content intensive, inspiring reflective and farsighted, yet amicable and family-like atmosphere with a direct, personal access to the notable guest deeply impressed all. Closing the event, Excellency Hoon, attendees and the hosts, jointly encapsulated what all participants already concluded in the course of the talk – that the Program offers unique setting, unparallel anywhere else in the world. They all agreed that this particular format is truly remarkable opportunity for emerging leaders from the state, intergovernmental and corporate sectors of all meridians.

The mesmerising ship of insights and wisdom gets a full swing sail once again. Its next port of call awaits before too long, with the world’s top developmental agencies (such as UNIDO, OFID, WTO, IaB) experts from Washington, Vienna and Geneva (14 September). It will soon be  followed by the International Liberal President, Ms. Al Haité (on 21st September).  

Geoffrey William Hoon is a former Defence Secretary, Transport Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons, and Government Chief Whip of Britain. His book, See How They Run, recounts his careers as an academic, lawyer, politician, and in international business. Along with professor Jeffrey Sachs, serving Development 8 Secretary-General, former OSCE Secretary General and other notables, Hoon was among the first speakers of the IEF’s Lecture Series that launched on August 10, 2024. The series is part of an “Certified Economic Diplomat” programme, which proudly hosts current and former heads of state, Nobel prize laureates, and key influencers in the world of politics, economy, security, and energy. This format gathers participants of diverse professional backgrounds and varied geographies, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East – largely the emerging leaders from the government (many being high ranked diplomats), international organisations or industry.

Dayana da Silva is a Benelux-based Communicology expert. Dayana serves as the IFIMES Senior Research Fellow and Liaison to the Brussels-based Intl FORAs.