Panel VII of Helsinki Geoeconomics Week 2024 turns the spotlight on academia, addressing the urgent need to integrate geoeconomics into university and executive education curricula.

“Geoeconomics in the Ivory Tower” challenges the traditional boundaries of higher education, urging a paradigm shift to include comprehensive geoeconomic education at all levels.

Explore what universities are currently planning, what needs to be done, and how educators can effectively embed geoeconomics into their teaching.

This panel is a call to action for academic institutions to evolve and embrace the critical relevance of geoeconomics in today’s interconnected world.

Join us in a forward-thinking dialogue about the transformations required in academic curriculums to prepare future leaders for the complex interplay of global economics and politics.

Summary:

• Academic Perspective: This session focuses on the academic perspective, advocating for the inclusion of geoeconomics in university curricula.
• Future Cohorts of Leaders: It explores how educational institutions can prepare future leaders by integrating geoeconomic concepts into their programs. The discussion will highlight the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex interplay between economics and geopolitics.
• Curriculum Gaps: Panelists will examine current gaps in university curricula and propose comprehensive strategies to incorporate geoeconomics into various disciplines, such as international relations, political science, economics, and business studies.
• Innovative Teaching: By presenting successful case studies and innovative teaching methodologies, the session aims to inspire academic institutions to adopt a multidisciplinary approach that reflects the realities of global economic power dynamics.
• Curricular Benefits: The panel will also address the benefits of such curricular updates, including enhanced critical thinking, strategic decision-making capabilities, and a better understanding of global economic policies.
• New Generation: Ultimately, this session seeks to foster a new generation of leaders who are well-versed in the principles of geoeconomics and capable of contributing to informed policy-making and strategic planning in an interconnected world.

Speakers:

Dale Copeland, University of Virginia
Sarah Bauerle Danzman, Indiana University
Victor Ferguson, University of Tokyo (chair)
Mattias Hessérus, Ax:son Johnson Institute
Marc Hinnenberg, Hanken & SSE Executive Education
Naoise McDonagh, Edith Cowan University