The new BNL BNP Paribas and Luiss Guido Carli Chair: a bridge for Europe

Cooperation among countries, economic and trade interdependence, and the close political ties between the various components of that grand design we call “Europe”: these are the main topics that will be addressed by the “BNL BNP Paribas in European Relations” Chair at Luiss Guido Carli, held by Professor Marc Lazar, a world-renowned French historian and President of the Luiss School of Government.

The new Chair will be officially presented today, Wednesday, November 23, at 5:00 PM at the French Embassy in Rome. This event marks the final stage of the fifth edition of the “Franco-Italian Dialogues for Europe,” an initiative launched in 2018 by Luiss Guido Carli and Sciences Po in Paris, in collaboration with The European House – Ambrosetti.

The event will also celebrate the anniversary of the Treaty between the Italian Republic and the French Republic for enhanced bilateral cooperation, with a meeting titled “The Quirinal Treaty and its commitment to the younger generation.” The historic agreement, signed on November 26, 2021, placed young people—future international leaders—at its core. It encourages their mobility, introduces the Franco-Italian civil service, and fosters greater exchange between researchers and universities, all with the aim of building the foundations for true European citizenship.

The goals of the Quirinal Treaty align with those pursued by Luiss, which aims to strengthen a European and international cultural platform by consolidating existing partnerships between academic institutions. With France alone, the University named after Guido Carli boasts dozens of dual-degree programs, structured partnerships, doctoral mobility projects, and research programs.

The Chair in European Relations, funded by BNL BNP Paribas, is part of a framework that places the University at the heart of a collaborative process between the two countries. The goal is to shape a European society, starting with students, who are the citizens of tomorrow. The “BNL BNP Paribas” Chair at Luiss Guido Carli will be launched in the presence of: Christian Masset, French Ambassador to Rome; Emanuela D'Alessandro, Italian Ambassador to Paris; Andrea Munari, President of BNL BNP Paribas; Paola Severino, Vice President of Luiss Guido Carli; Mathias Vicherat, Director of Sciences Po; and Andrea Prencipe, Rector of Luiss Guido Carli.

 “The Italo-French Dialogues are a clear testament to the cultural diplomacy in which our universities play a key role. In this regard, our priority is to foster connections between countries by providing our students with an international, interdisciplinary education that has a strong European focus. The new chair in European Relations, thanks to the foresight and support of a strategic partner like BNL BNP Paribas, fits perfectly into this framework,” commented Luiss Vice President Paola Severino.

“Our collaboration with BNL BNP Paribas, which we are proud of, demonstrates the importance of dialogue between academia and the banking and credit system, including for the development of institutional and cultural relations within Europe. The establishment of this chair also bolsters our university’s research and innovation efforts in the field of international political studies, where Luiss’s reputation has grown significantly in recent years. Thanks to the experience of a large, global banking group, we’ll be able to offer our students new avenues of knowledge to tackle the complexities of the near future,” added Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe.

Andrea Munari, President of BNL BNP Paribas: “We are particularly pleased with this agreement with Luiss Guido Carli. As a Bank and as a Group, we want to tangibly demonstrate our commitment to organizations—such as universities—that look to the future and to the next generation with the awareness that education and study are key to understanding the world of today and the world of tomorrow. Supporting this new chair means investing in the development of political and diplomatic skills, which are more crucial than ever today, and young students are undoubtedly the best investment.”