First Europaeum Annual Lecture: Federica Mogherini and Joschka Fischer

On 7 November 2025, the Freie Universität Berlin hosted the first Europaeum Annual Lecture, which brought together two of Europe’s most distinguished voices: Federica Mogherini, the former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Joschka Fischer, the former German Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister.

Mogherini’s lecture “The new global disorder: Europe’s future in a fracturing world” set out the difficulties Europe now confronts—from climate change to geopolitical shifts. Mogherini emphasised the EU’s demonstrated capacity to rise to extraordinary challenges and Fischer contributed his extensive expertise on European integration and transatlantic relations via a response which underscored the importance of unity and forward-thinking leadership. Both speakers offered constructive pathways forward: investing in security and defence, strengthening economic competitiveness, and building societal resilience.

Moderated by Professor Tanja Börzel (FU Berlin), the event showcased the Europaeum’s ability to convene Europe’s leading thinkers for meaningful dialogue on the continent’s future.

The Europaeum would like to thank Freie Universität Berlin and its staff for hosting and co-organising the first one of this important new lecture series and the Una Europa university network for their help and support of this event. Many thanks also to all the students and guests who attended the lecture in person. With very few empty seats in the lecture hall, this was a very well-attended event.

Recordings of the Lecture are available here:

• Introductory Remarks
• Federica Mogherini’s Lecture
• Discussion with  Joschka Fischer

You can read Freie Universität’s article on the lecture here.