19 February 2026
Bilbao
Deusto and Aspen Institute España, a foundation dedicated to promoting leadership based on civic and democratic values, held the first edition of the "Geopolitics, Leadership and Values" programme at the University from 18 to 20 February. This meeting aims to provide a reflective space to consider the major geopolitical trends shaping our present and influencing our future, guided by leaders from different sectors of society.
The programme brought together around twenty participants over three days to explore how the international order that emerged after the Second World War—the Bretton Woods era—and was consolidated under the Pax Americana following the end of the Cold War has come to an end. In addition, participants discussed the challenges facing the European Union in an increasingly competitive international environment, marked by the transition from a multilateral order based on institutions and rules to a clearly multipolar world defined by rivalry between major powers, the rise of threats, and, in some cases, the resort to the use of force.
The meeting included an open day attended by nearly three hundred people at Deusto’s Auditorium, and featured an opening address by Michael Ignatieff, professor at the Central European University and winner of the 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences. His address was followed by two panel discussions with experts such as Hugo Dixon, journalist and columnist for Reuters; Natalie Jaresko, former Finance Minister of Ukraine and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Aspen Institute Kyiv; David Rennie, editor of Geopolitics at The Economist; Sonia Alonso, professor at the University of Deusto; Justin Gest, professor of Politics and Government; and Ignacio Urquizu, sociologist and consultant.
At this opening session, attended by the Lehendakari of the Basque Government, Imanol Pradales, and the President of the General Assemblies of Biscay, Ana Otadui, along with other local authorities, Juan Mari Aburto, Mayor of Bilbao, and Juan José Etxeberria, Rector of the University of Deusto, took part. Etxeberria emphasised that the University proudly hosts this seminar, which addresses the essential geopolitical challenges of our time.
He also spoke of the need for ethical leadership in the face of the current transformation of the international order. Drawing on the humanist tradition, he proposed that governance should not be governed by force or immediate efficiency, but by legitimacy, justice and human dignity. He also highlighted the importance of creating pluralistic spaces for dialogue and reaffirmed the university’s role in educating individuals with an ethical awareness, capable of managing global complexity with shared responsibility. Full speech.
Humanist vision of power
Through this seminar, Aspen Institute Spain and the University of Deusto aim to promote leadership guided by values, committed to the common good, and grounded in a humanist vision of power and international relations. In this regard, José M. de Areilza Carvajal, Secretary General of Aspen Institute Spain and moderator of the seminar, stated that “in a time of growing global uncertainty, reflection grounded in values and principles is more necessary than ever.” Therefore, he argued that this initiative “provides a strategic space to understand and anticipate the geopolitical transformations shaping our present, and to consider how leadership can contribute to a fairer and more stable international order.”
The programme has been supported by the Bilbao City Council, as they state that "in a context of growing geopolitical uncertainty, strengthening democratic leadership based on values is more necessary than ever. Cities are directly impacted by major global changes and we must strengthen our role as spaces for governance, dialogue and social cohesion. Initiatives such as the Seminar organised by Aspen Institute Spain help to strengthen a political culture based on deliberation and respect.”
The programme has received the support of the Bilbao City Council because, according to its representatives, "in the face of today's complex challenges, strengthening democratic leadership grounded in ethics is an absolute priority. Cities are the first stage where the impact of global changes is felt and, for this reason, we must reaffirm ourselves as a reference for governance, dialogue and social cohesion. In this regard, this initiative contributes to consolidating a political culture that prioritises deliberation and institutional respect.”
The Euskaltel Foundation also considers it very important to support this type of activity and, therefore, feels "very honoured to participate in this meeting of top economic and political leaders to reflect on the complexity of the world around us. Today no one questions that geopolitics has a direct influence on an industry such as ours, which is strategic and key to securing our position as a society in a digital environment. We want to contribute to sustainable, humanist industrial leadership that does not lose sight of the value brought by territorial diversity, they state.
“In times of uncertainty and war, when we are overwhelmed by tragic events and the suffering of victims, a calm and rigorous reflection on our ethical values, which form the foundation of any society, is more necessary than ever,” emphasise the General Secretariat for Defence Policy (SEGENPOL), adding: "Even more so in such a sensitive and vital issue as security and defence, where values are both the guiding reference and the cement that maintains the cohesion and unity of an essential collective effort. For this reason, the Ministry of Defence supports academic debate, such as the one taking place in this programme, organised by the Aspen Institute Spain and the University of Deusto, which will help us to shed some light on the unknowns of the future and reflect on how to face change without losing the essence of our values".
This first edition is supported by Iberdrola and Kutxabank as main sponsors, with additional sponsorship from Bilbao City Council, the General Secretariat for Defence Policy of the Ministry of Defence, the Euskaltel Foundation, and the Basque Business Leaders Circle.
