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Is China truly the leader of the Global South, or are developing nations pursuing a more pragmatic path amid shifting global power dynamics?  This question is at the heart of a discussion exploring China’s economic outreach, the realities of debt and trade barriers, and how US-China relations impact the developing world.  Featuring Cheng Li, Founding Director of the Centre of Governance of China & the World at the University of Hong Kong, and Helena Legarda, Head of Program for Foreign Relations at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Germany. Chaired by Russell Flannery, Advisor for Forbes China.

Are we truly entering a fundamentally more violent era, or do modern deterrence and globalization still hold the line against large-scale war? In this session, Stathis N. Kalyvas (Gladstone Professor of Government and Fellow at All Souls College in Oxford), and Andrea Ruggeri (Professor of Political Science at the University of Milan) break down the next day of global conflicts.   Listen in as they explore if a surge in global violence is actually reported, if we are shifting back toward interstate conflicts and the role of military technology innovation. How are nationalism, the nuclear taboo, and globalisation act as unexpected deterrents?

Generative AI is a technological innovation that has created a seismic shift. But while technology can accelerate processes, it cannot exercise editorial judgment. The pursuit of truth remains a human endeavor. Listen to a critical, globally-focused discussion on the role of  generative AI in the media and the future of independent reporting. What are the existential challenges to intellectual property and the necessity of human-centered boundaries? How does The New York Times' strategy of "suing while adopting" work? The conversation features Stephen Dunbar Johnson, President, International of The New York Times Company; Young-Jin Oh, President and Publisher of The Korea Times; and Yannis Papadopoulos, President of the Board of Directors at ERT, in conversation with Tony Barber, Former European Comment Editor at the Financial Times.

In an era where political disagreement has transformed into polarization and compromise is often viewed as defeat, what role must higher education play in bridging the divide? This question is answered in a conversation by DEF XI’s partner London School of Economics, between Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of LSE and Kevin Featherstone, Emeritus Professor at LSE. "Universities in an Age of Polarization" discusses the responsibility of academic institutions to educate future leaders capable of working constructively across ideological divides. How are the complexities of modern campus disputes affecting the different free speech environments between the UK and the US? Larry Kramer and Kevin Featherstone offer an optimistic view on the future of academia, highlighting how higher education can adapt to cultivate intellectual resilience and respectful dialogue to navigate a divided society.

How will Europe advance its green transition and ensure energy security through global instability?  Teresa Ribera, EVP, Commissioner for the Clean, Just & Competitive Transition for the European Commission, and Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic discuss the impact of the Middle East crises on global energy markets and the push for European strategic autonomy. Can the EU balance decarbonization and economic realism? Chaired by George Evgenidis (Star Channel) the conversation points out the importance of homegrown renewables and the debate for a true Single European Energy Market.  Can industrial competitiveness be achieved without sacrificing social cohesion?

Can Europe maintain its economic resilience in the face of imminent energy shocks and geopolitical instability?  How can the EU boost global competitiveness while achieving true strategic autonomy? Listen to the conversation chaired by Maria Tadeo (Euronews) between the President of the Eurogroup, Minister of National Economy and Finance in the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, and Commissioner for Economy & Productivity, Implementation & Simplification, EU Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, for an expert look at securing European prosperity.

As global protectionism intensifies, how are international markets holding up?  Simon Nixon (Kathimerini) joins Greg Hands (former UK Trade Minister), Anders Ahnlid (National Board of Trade, Sweden), Henry Huiyao Wang (CCG China), Iain Begg (LSE), and Paul Dans (Project 2025) to assess eighteen months of US tariffs. They analyze the strain on the EU's rules-based trade system, the escalating US-China rivalry, and the importance for medium-sized powers. They debate the future of the WTO, the clash between traditional comparative advantage and modern re-industrialization, and how these forces reshape green energy investment and technology innovation.

Can artificial intelligence reduce global learning inequalities?   In partnership with the Columbia Global Center Athens at the Delphi Economic Forum, Yanis Ben Amor (Columbia University) leads a critical conversation with Nikos Panagiotou (Aristotle University), John Oredo (University of Nairobi), and Filipe Medon (FGV Rio Law). They examine the challenges of education infrastructure and AI literacy through the lens of three distinct case studies: Kenya, Brazil, and Greece. Listen as they discuss innovative regional solutions and explore how we can ease the burden on educators, bridge equality gaps, and ensure technology remains fundamentally humane.

Resilience Reloaded: How do we prepare for a "Megadisaster"?  The realities of modern disaster management require reinforcing infrastructure and demand real investments in our communities. Listen in as Jeffrey Schlegelmilch (National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University) and Giannis Skiadaresis (Disaster Resilience Coordinator, European Commission) examine what it takes to withstand catastrophic events. They outline the vital role of social capital, the barriers to adopting new disaster technologies, and why prioritizing children is the ultimate long-term resilience.  Are we adequately equipped to survive the next global shock?

Insights from the Front Lines: What drives the Trump administration's agenda from the inside? In this episode, a panel of insiders – Matthew Boyle, from the Breitbart News Network, Alex Bruesewitz, CEO of X Strategies, Scott Atlas from Stanford University, and Christos Marafatsos representing Greeks for Trump – offer an exclusive look "Inside Trumpworld". They decode the administration’s frontline perspectives on the most pressing global issues, including the Iran war, immigration policies, the future of NATO, and the energy crisis. Moderated by Lena Argiri, White House Correspondent, Greek Public Broadcasting ERT/Kathimerini

This session addresses the geopolitical realignments and economic challenges currently impacting Europe and the global order. It features a high-level conversation between Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, and António Costa, President of the European Council. Chaired by Fred Pleitgen, Senior International Correspondent for CNN Germany, the discussion tackles the consequences of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the pursuit of European defence autonomy, and the complexities of financial and energy instability. The episode offers a look at the future of global stability through a European lens: From the ascension of the Western Balkans and new trade agreements with India and Mercosur, to the next day of relationship with the U.S. and balancing free trade with environmental protection.

Are markets or governments holding the reins? As the rules of globalization are rewritten, Martin Wolf (Financial Times) and Loukas Tsoukalis (Sciences Po Paris and ELIAMEP) explore what a second Trump term means for the geopolitical arena and the future of international economics. Together, they break down the tension between global interdependence and rising protectionism in a time of profound market uncertainty.

"Sustainability is first about net-positive growth, and sustainable finance is not about ideology. It’s about aligning capital with today’s economic realities and tomorrow’s risks." Listen to a discussion on the role of finance in the ongoing transition to a more sustainable and resilient global economy. The conversation features Patrick Odier, Chairman of the Building Bridges Foundation in Switzerland, in conversation with Alexia Tasouli, a Diplomatic Correspondent from Greece.

When Europe is in a battle, is there room to fight for a social Europe? This question is explored in a conversation between Philippe Van Parijs, a main defender of the concept of an unconditional basic income and Hoover Chair of Economic & Social Ethics at the University of Louvain in Belgium, and Stefanos Gandolfo, the Director of the Columbia Global Center in Athens, Greece.

Is there a need for a new foundational treaty for only the member states that want to move on? Is EU leadership lacking? Listen to the conversation between Guy Verhofstadt, former Prime Minister of Belgium and Member of the European Parliament until 2024, and Hugo Dixon, Commentator at Large for Reuters, UK, for an inside look at the structure of the EU.