CEFAS attends the Estoril Political Forum 2021

In October, the Centre for Studies, Training and Social Analysis (CEFAS), with its director Mr Elio Gallego and the head of the International Area Mr José Antonio Pérez, attended the 26^th international meeting of political studies, organised by the Institute of Political Studies (IEP) of the Portuguese Catholic University.

On this occasion, under the title Structuring a new alliance of democracies, the IEP commemorated the eightieth anniversary of the Atlantic Charter. This joint declaration, signed on 14 August 1941 aboard the USS Augusta by US President Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Mr Winston Churchill, was intended to establish certain common principles in the national policies of both countries and to serve as a guide for future political action, subsequently inspiring the United Nations Declaration.

The conference was opened by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who reiterated the importance for the West of bringing the eight points of the Charter up to date. Over the three days of the conference, various academics and personalities from the fields of politics, security and defence, and the world of ideas and thought also took part. A sample of the speakers will give a good idea of the relevance achieved by this forum, which far exceeds the limits of the Portuguese-speaking world: Mr James Jay Carafano (The Heritage Foundation), Mr Raymon Plant (King’s College London and House of Lords), Mr Zdzislaw Mach (Universidad Jaguelónica), Mr Jeffrey O. Nelson (The Russell Kirk Centre for Cultural Renewal), Mr Wilhelm Hofmeister (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung) and Mr Alejandro Chafuen (Acton Institute), among others.

CEFAS also held several meetings with the former rector of the Portuguese Catholic University, Mr Manuel Braga da Cruz; the director of the IEP, Mr João Carlos Espada; and the director of the Centro de Investigação do Instituto de Estudos Políticos, Mr André Azevedo Alves. As a result of these meetings, new avenues of collaboration have been opened up between the two universities and excellent opportunities have arisen for both. With a similar outlook, it is expected that this collaboration will become stronger over time and will help to promote reflection through the establishment of a permanent study group, the organisation of international conferences and the publication of articles, and thus contribute to political thought in the academic world of Spain and Portugal.