HIKMA SUMMIT
OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Conferences
"Brussels Effect – the Role of the EU as Global Rule-maker"
The Conference examines the European Union's unilateral capacity to regulate global markets by establishing standards in competition policy and data protection. Discussions will delve into the concept of the Brussels Effect, a term coined by Professor Anu Bradford in 2012, exploring its far-reaching implications for global governance, as well as the challenges and opportunities it creates for businesses, governments, and citizens worldwide. The conference will center on elucidating the primary factors that underpin the EU's leadership role in shaping global digital policy. Topics include the impact of these efforts on global standards and the digital innovation gap between the EU, the US, and China. Historical strategies are examined to understand how the EU maintains competitiveness while fostering innovation and preventing regulatory arbitrage. Additionally, discussions cover the influence of the most recent European AI Act, balancing ethical principles and fundamental rights.
Stefano da Empoli
Economist and professor of economics and economic policy at the University of Rome TRE, he is the president of I-Com (Institute for Competitiveness). He is the scientific director of the La Scossa Association. Author of the book “L’economia di Chat GPT. Tra false paure e veri rischi”.
Gabriella Muscolo
Commissioner at the Italian Competition Authority from May 2014 to 2021. Prior to this role, she was appointed as a Judge in 1985, specializing in Intellectual Property and Competition Law at the District Court of Rome and the Court for Undertakings in Rome. Since 2008, she has been a lecturer of Company Law at the University of Rome – La Sapienza, and has also taught at various Italian and foreign universities. She is known for her publications in both Italian and English on Intellectual Property and Competition Law.
Giulio Cervi
Director of the Technology Media Telecoms (TMT) Practice at FTI Consulting and author of the academic article "Why and How Does the EU Rule Global Digital Policy: an Empirical Analysis of EU Regulatory Influence in Data Protection Laws" (2022).
Workshop
European Parliament Simulation
The aim of the workshop is to help students to familiarize themselves with the dynamics within the European Parliament. The first part of the event will consist of an introductory explanation about the functioning of the EP law-making process and the analysis of a specific topic that will be object of the law proposal. During the second part, the participants will be divided into four groups, each of which will represent a political party sitting in the European Parliament. Reflecting the ideology and the political positions of the party they represent, each group will be asked to discuss a draft law and to choose one spokesperson that will expose the amendments that have been proposed by the group. Finally, each amendment will be voted and only those getting the majority will be approved. Once the final text will be ready, a final discussion will provide feedback on the compromise that the students have achieved, providing them with food for thought.
Michael Leigh
Sir Michael Leigh is Academic Director of the Master of Arts in European Public Policy, Academic Director of the Master of Arts in Global Risk, and Senior Adjunct Professor at SAIS Europe.
His research, writing and public speaking focus on the future of the EU, Brexit, enlargement, neighborhood policy; Turkey's relations with the EU, Europe's response to political change in the Mediterranean and Middle East; energy questions in the eastern Mediterranean; public opinion and foreign policy. He also has an interest in Asia-Pacific and its relations with Europe. He writes and comments regularly on European affairs for Geopolitical Intelligence Services reports online, Euractiv, and other media.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from M.I.T.
Elisa Baroncini
Co-Chair of the International Economic Law Interest Groups of ESIL (2012-2022), and of SIDI (DIEcon, from 2019). Graduated cum laude in Law and PhD in European Union Law from Alma Mater. She is the Coordinator of the Jean Monnet 2022-2025 module “Re-Globe - Reforming the Global Economic Governance: The EU for SDGs in International Economic Law,” of the UNA Europa Seed Funding Research Projects “WHC@50 - Forever Young: Celebrating 50 Years of the World Heritage Convention” and “ImprovEUorGlobe - The UN 2030 Agenda in the EU Trade Policy: Improving Global Governance for a Sustainable New World.” Member of the Scientific Council of ISA. Member of the Board of Directors of Eni S.p.A. and arbitrator for the TSD Chapters of the EU Free Trade Agreements. Member of the Executive Council of SIEL. SPecialist in international economic law, trade policy and EU external relations.
Klarissa Martins Sckayer Abicalam
Klarissa Martins Sckayer Abicalam is PhD candidate in European Union Law and International Law (39° cycle, 2023/2024) at the University of Bologna with her project on "The EU Trade Policy for Women’s Economic Empowerment”, and teaching tutor in the Course “International Law on Sustainable Development” under the supervision of Prof. Elisa Baroncini.