On 19^th March 2026, WIL Europe welcomed Lia Quartapelle, Member of the Italian Parliament and Vice President of the Committee on Foreign and European Community Affairs, to the first exclusive exchange of 2026 with our Members and Fellows. Following an introduction from WIL President Thaima Samman , this timely discussion at a volatile moment of global geopolitics was moderated WIL Member Anne-Brisce Grasset, Director of Own Brands & Sourcing at Rexel. 

MP Quartapelle provided a nuanced analysis of the current geopolitical climate, particularly the situation in the Middle East, and how Europe and countries like Italy must adapt and assert their role in the evolving world order, both in socio-economic and cultural terms. Amidst growing instability and rapid change, she sent a strong message of building the EU on trust, consensus and cooperation for mutual benefits to deliver concrete results in managing international relations, ensuring gender equality and tackling misinformation and disinformation.