BMI Conference: A World Order Under Threat

The conference titled “A World Order Under Threat,” held from November 25-26, 2024, was a collaborative effort by the Boris Mints Institute (BMI) at Tel Aviv University and the University of Donja Gorica (UDG). The event addressed critical global issues, including political, economic, and institutional challenges. With a focus on fostering innovative strategies and collaborations, the conference gathered leading experts from around the world to share insights and explore solutions. 
The highlight of the opening day was the prestigious BMI Prize Ceremony, honoring Prof. Beatriz Magaloni, the Graham H. Stuart Professor of International Relations and a Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. The BMI Prize, a hallmark of the institute’s commitment to addressing global challenges, recognized Prof. Magaloni for her groundbreaking work on governance and her studies on the dynamics of authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic institutions. During her keynote, titled “Rise of Authoritarianism,” Prof. Magaloni provided a compelling analysis of the growing threats posed by authoritarian regimes and their implications for global political stability. She delved into the structural conditions that enable authoritarianism to thrive, emphasizing the need for robust international mechanisms to counteract these trends. The ceremony was introduced by leadership of BMI, TAU and UDG.
 On the second day, Hon. Vaclav Klaus, Second President of the Czech Republic gave his keynote talk about A World Order Under Threat. The talk focused on inefficiencies and inaccuracies that national and international institutions oftentimes make and how this is straining the global system, reducing cooperation and increasing risks of catastrophes.
Furthermore three panels summoning the World’s leading experts were held on:
1) A panel on globalization, moderated by Amb. Prof. Itamar Rabinovich, this panel explored the successes and failures of globalization in fostering economic interdependence, alleviating poverty, and addressing migration challenges. The discussion focused on reshaping global supply chains and enhancing economic resilience.
 2) A session on strategies of war and peace addressed the rise of regional conflicts in an era once thought free of major wars. Moderated by Prof. Itai Sened, the panel examined the complexities of modern warfare, the fragility of peace accords, and the role of international cooperation.
 3) Crises in Internal Institutional Orders: Cyber, Economics, and Governance The final panel focused on the vulnerabilities within national institutions, particularly in the domains of cybersecurity, economic systems, and governance. Moderated by Ivan Jovetic of UDG, the discussion provided practical insights into institutional reforms and resilience-building.
 Collaboration Between BMI and UDG The conference underscored the strategic partnership between BMI and UDG, which aims to strengthen academic and institutional exchanges. We at BMI thank our partners at UDG for their hospitality and look forward to continue cooperating with them.