On October 24 and 25, NOVA Medical School and NOVA SBE are holding the Estoril Conferences, the annual benchmark event that brings together international leaders, academics and experts from various fields. This year, in its 9th edition, the theme “Time to ReThink” challenges participants to reflect on current issues and propose paths to a more sustainable and collaborative future.
Peace, Politics, Planet, Artificial Intelligence and Technology, Health and Longevity are the five major pillars in focus at these Estoril Conferences, themes that reflect the main global challenges and offer a comprehensive view of the critical issues facing the world today.
The 9th edition of the conferences has the unprecedented collaboration of Harvard's Digital Data Design Institute (D^3), a renowned institution dedicated to exploring the impact of emerging technologies, which is co-organizing the event with NOVA Medical School, Nova SBE, Cascais City Council and Turismo de Portugal.
2024 has been described as a year of profound changes, that underline the urgency of concerted action to tackle these problems:
- The largest number of armed conflicts and devastating wars since World War II (United Nations, 2023);
- Major elections and consequent geopolitical changes (The Economist, 2023);
- A demographic transition that intersects all changes and transitions, as from this year onwards, the population aged 65+ will begin to overtake the population under 18 (WHO, 2023);
- Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) developing exponentially and environmental degradation reaching alarming levels, with six of the nine planetary boundaries already exceeded (Science, 2023);
Prestigious speakers confirmed
Confirmed speakers include:
- Karim Lakhani, specialist in innovation and technology management, president and co-founder of the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School;
- Deborah Aluh, Nigerian specialist, known for her commitment to mental health and contribution to reducing the stigma associated with mental disorders;
- Francisco Veloso, Director of INSEAD and specialist in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship;
- Mónica Ferro, Director of the United Nations Population Fund Office in Geneva, who joins the range of speakers confirmed for this edition, contributing her knowledge and international curriculum to the discussion on universal access to reproductive health services and the defense of women's rights around the world;
- Sherri Aldis, Director of the United Nations Regional Information Center for Western Europe;
- Mariana Van Zeller, award-winning Portuguese journalist, author of the National Geographic series “Na Rota do Tráfico” and known for her impactful and immersive journalistic approach;
- José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor, 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner and the face of East Timor's struggle for independence and recognized for his work for peace and political stability in the country;
- Pepe, one of the athletes most recognized for his tenacity and longevity, who won 31 titles, including a European Championship and a Nations League, and shone for FC Porto and Real Madrid;
- Dalia Grybauskaitė, former European Union Commissioner and President of Lithuania for ten years (2009-2019), the first woman to lead the post-Soviet country is known for her contributions in various fields;
- Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President of Mongolia, who led the country between 2009 and 2017, and promoted reforms in areas such as democracy, sustainability and the fight against corruption;
- Ethan Mollick, associate professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and co-director of the Generative AI Lab, one of the most influential voices on the impact, potential and challenges of Artificial Intelligence;
- Laura Chinchilla Miranda, the first woman to lead Costa Rica and an active advocate for environmental reforms, women's rights and government transparency;
- Elizabeth V. Kite, founder of Take the Lead Tonga and Obama Scholar and an advocate for people-led solutions in the Pacific Islands, focusing on environmental protection and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable island countries;
- Luis V. Vilaherrera, founder of TRACODA and creator of GobData, a specialist in democracy and disinformation, and an innovator in government data, recognized for his impact on transparency and the fight against corruption.
Registrations now open
Registration for the 2024 Estoril Conferences is now open and can be made via this link. This event offers a unique opportunity for students, researchers and professionals to discuss with some of the greatest thinkers and experts of our time, helping to shape the global debate on the issues affecting the present and the future.