Tocci 4

Annual T.M.C. Asser Lecture 2026

Thu 26 Nov 2026, 17:00

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Asser Institute

The Asser Institute is delighted to announce that professor Nathalie Tocci, Professor of Practice at the John Hopkins University SAIS, Senior Fellow at the Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University (IEP@BU) and independent nonexecutive director of the multi utility company Acea, will deliver the 11th T.M.C. Asser Annual Lecture. The lecture will address a fundamental question: are we witnessing a fundamental redefinition of Europe's global identity, and what are the consequences if Europe relinquishes the normative commitments that have long been at the core of its international role? The annual lecture will take place on Thursday 26 November 2026.

When: Thursday, 26 November 2026 
Time: 17:00 – 18:30, followed by a reception 
Where: T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague, The Netherlands

Abstract: The risk of Europe abdicating its global normative role and the route back 
By Nathalie Tocci 

As the continent and the wider world undergo radical transformation, Europe has struggled to redefine itself. Though never a superpower in the post-World War II era, Europe once felt secure in an international order where—despite frequent violations—multilateral institutions, international law, and democratic principles shaped the dominant norms. That world is gone, and Europeans have recognized this for some time. In response, they have adopted the language of power, pragmatism, and transactionalism. At times, this shift has been decisive, as seen in the continent's push for rearmament and the defence of Ukraine. At others, it has been partial, evident in the half-hearted attempts to redefine relations with the Global South. And in some cases, it has not materialized at all, as Europe's recoiling from the Middle East. Yet focusing on these actions and inactions obscures deeper questions: Are we witnessing a fundamental change in how Europe understands itself and its global role? If so, what are the implications for Europe's future? And is there a risk that, in their desperate attempt to stay afloat as their world crumbles, Europeans could inflict the greatest harm upon themselves by abdicating on the norms that lie at its core? 

Further details on registration and attendance will be announced soon. If you have any questions about the event, please contact tmcasserlecture@asser.nl 

About Nathalie Tocci

Nathalie Tocci is Professor of Practice at the John Hopkins University SAIS, Senior Fellow at the Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University (IEP@BU) and independent nonexecutive director of the multi utility company Acea. She has been Special Advisor to EU High Representatives Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell. In that capacity, she wrote the European Global Strategy and worked on its implementation.

She has been Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, part-time professor at the School of Transnational Governance (European University Institute), Europe’s Futures fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen, IWM), Pierre Keller Visiting Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Honorary Professor at the University of Tübingen. Prior to joining Acea, she was independent board member first of Edison and then of Eni. She has held research positions at the Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, the Transatlantic Academy, Washington, the European University Institute, Florence, and has taught at the College of Europe, Bruges.

Her research interests include European integration and European foreign policy, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, transatlantic relations, multilateralism, conflict resolution, energy, climate and defence.

Her major publications include:

  • A Green and Global Europe, Polity, 2022 (author);
  • Framing the EU's Global Strategy, Springer-Palgrave Macmillan, 2017 (author);
  • The EU, Promoting Regional Integration, and Conflict Resolution, Springer-Palgrave Macmillan, 2017 (co-editor);
  • Turkey and the European Union, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (co-author);
  • Multilateralism in the 21st Century, Routledge, 2013 (co-editor);
  • Turkey’s European Future: Behind the Scenes of America’s Influence on EU-Turkey Relations, New York University Press, 2011 (author);
  • The EU and Conflict Resolution, Routledge, 2007 (author).

Nathalie is a frequent media commentator, with regular op-eds in La Stampa and The Guardian, as well as being a regular panellist on BBC’s “The Context”. She has published in Foreign Affairs, El Pais, Project Syndicate, and is often interviewed by major international television and newspaper outlets, including Al Jazeera, BBC, Bloomberg, CNN, Euronews, PBS, Sky, The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, El Pais, Le Monde, Deutsche Welle, amongst others.

She is represented by Chartwell Speakers and Elastica.

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