The Young Political Economy Forum (YPEF) Madrid convened emerging leaders, young professionals, and scholars from across the globe for a youth-led international forum examining the evolving dynamics of political economy amidst contemporary geopolitical tensions, trade realignments, rising inequality, and rapid digitization.
Held in partnership with Spain Business School (SBS) and building on the established success of CIPES's global forum series, the event positioned Madrid, strategically situated at the crossroads of European and Ibero-American economic systems, as an ideal hub for critical dialogue on the forces reshaping the global economic order.
Over four days, participants engaged with distinguished diplomats, legislators, and institutional leaders while exploring how political and economic structures intersect to shape national trajectories and international cooperation. The forum's integration of expert-led sessions with immersive institutional visits provided a comprehensive learning experience bridging theoretical understanding with practical exposure to governance and economic policy in action.
YPEF at Spain Business School
YPEF Madrid is a youth-led international event held in partnership with Spain Business School (SBS). Built on the success of the global forum series, the forum focused on political economy amidst geopolitical tensions, trade shifts, inequality, and digitization.
The partnership with SBS reflected a shared commitment to fostering global cooperation, leadership, and innovation, offering delegates access to world-class academic infrastructure and networks spanning European and Latin American business communities.
“Madrid, strategically situated at the crossroads of European and Ibero-American economic systems, offered an ideal hub for critical dialogue on the forces reshaping the global economic order.”
Official Speaker Sessions
Speaker sessions were conducted by diplomats serving at consulates, Permanent Missions to the United Nations, and members of the Madrid Assembly. These distinguished contributions, including engagement with MP Elisa Vigil alongside Mr. Hassan and Mr. Miguel, Ignacio Rodríguez (Coordinator of Strategic Alliances at the International Cooperation Directorate of the OIJ, the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America), Joanna Roop (Founder & Principal Consultant, The People Tree Company, USA), Claudia Taboada (Minister Counsellor, Dominican Republic Mission to the United Nations, Geneva), C. Alexander García (First Secretary, Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Geneva), and Ángel Antonio González García (Counsellor for Political Affairs, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, France), provided delegates with direct insight into contemporary diplomatic practice, multilateral engagement, and the legislative processes that underpin national and European policy formulation.
The diversity of perspectives enriched participants' understanding of how political economy operates across diplomatic, legislative, and institutional domains.
Visit to Espacio Fundación Telefónica
An immersive exploration of the evolution from analog systems to the digital age highlighted how technological transformation shapes economies, communication, and global connectivity. Delegates examined how digitization drives economic disruption and opportunity, gaining perspective on the strategic importance of technological infrastructure in contemporary political economy and the challenges of navigating an increasingly digital global marketplace.
Visit to the Official Senate Session of Spain
An institutional visit to Spain's upper house of Parliament offered insight into legislative processes, governance structures, and the role of political institutions in shaping national and European policy frameworks. This engagement provided delegates with rare firsthand exposure to parliamentary deliberation and the mechanisms through which democratic institutions translate political priorities into economic policy.
Through these carefully curated engagements, YPEF Madrid delivered a rich and multidimensional learning experience integrating diplomatic expertise, institutional exposure, and critical analysis of political economy. Participants departed equipped with deeper understanding of the intersections between politics, economics, and technology, alongside expanded professional networks positioning them to navigate and shape an evolving global landscape.