One of the most rewarding aspects of participating in European legal events is the opportunity to engage with colleagues whose work continues to shape legal scholarship and policy across the continent.
During a recent event in Madrid, I had the pleasure of exchanging views with Professor Pietro Sirena, Dean of Università Bocconi Law School, Vice-President of the European Law Institute (ELI) and President of the Society of European Contract Law (SECOLA).
Our discussion reinforced something I have long appreciated: the strong similarities between Università Bocconi and IE University. Both institutions combine academic excellence with an international outlook, a commitment to innovation and a desire to bridge theory and practice in legal education.
In an increasingly interconnected world, collaboration between leading European universities is more important than ever. Whether the topic is European integration, digital regulation, private law, legal technology or the rule of law, many of today’s most important legal challenges transcend national borders and require genuinely international perspectives.
This is particularly true in Europe, where legal diversity remains one of our greatest strengths. The ability to develop common legal principles while preserving different legal traditions, languages and cultures remains one of the most remarkable achievements of the European project.
Academic institutions play an important role in this process. Through research, teaching, conferences and professional exchanges, universities contribute to the development of legal scholarship, foster dialogue across borders and help prepare the next generation of legal professionals for an increasingly global environment.
The longstanding connections between the IE and Bocconi communities reflect these shared values and demonstrate the benefits of continued cooperation between leading European institutions.
I look forward to further strengthening these academic and professional ties in the years ahead.
