By Dayana da Silva
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.
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 captivated 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 fascinating 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 be soon after followed by the International Liberal President, Ms. Al Haité (on 21st September).
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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”, chronicles his career as an academic, lawyer, politician, and international business figure. Sir Geoffrey Hoon was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, and later taught at universities in both the United Kingdom and the United States. As a trained lawyer and senior cabinet member in Tony Blair’s Labour government, he held several key ministerial roles.
In addition to his political career, Hoon served as a Member of Parliament (1992–2010) and as a Member of the European Parliament (1984–1994). Following his time in politics, he became a senior industry executive at AgustaWestland, where he worked in both the defence and civil aerospace markets on a global scale. More recently, he has taken on roles as a non-executive director (NED) and served as the chair of both a charity and a private-sector organization.
In August 2024, Hoon was one of the inaugural speakers at the IEF Lecture Series, which is part of the “Certified Economic Diplomat” program. This program proudly hosts current and former heads of state, Nobel Prize laureates, and key influencers from politics, economics, security, and energy sectors. Alongside figures like Professor Jeffrey Sachs and former OSCE Secretary General, Hoon addressed a diverse audience of emerging leaders from government, international organizations, and industry across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—many of whom are high-ranking diplomats.
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