The IV OBSERVARE International Conference aims to address the very current topic of Multilateralism, a condition for Global Governance. At a time when global issues are clearly an urgent priority, and when international organizations and multilateral initiatives have been underestimated or even fought, it is important to rethink their role in the international society and to assess the conditions that will allow the improvement of global governance mechanisms, including the renewing and relaunching of multilateralism.

The general topic around multilateralism is divided into several subtopics, with emphasis on the study of the concept of a new international order, the possibilities of cosmopolitan democracy and global governance, as well as how multilateralism is perceived from the point of view of several continents.

In addition to thematic panels with papers selected from the call for papers, the Congress proceedings include lectures by the following invited speakers: Federica Mogherini (Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges), John Ikenberry (Princeton University), Amitav Acharya (American University, Washington, D.C.), Daniele Archibugi (Italian National Research Council, Rome, and University of London, Birkbeck College) and Rafael Calduch  Cervera (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) followed by the presentation of collective studies prepared by inter-university research groups and extensive debates, plus a panel with the participation of Parfait Onanga-Anyanga (Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa), Mark Beeson (University of Western Australia), Flávia de Campos Mello (Pontifícia Universidade Católica, São Paulo), Carlos Gaspar (UAL e IPRI-Nova), Mariano Aguirre (Associate Fellow, Chatham House) and António Vitorino (Director General of the International Organization for Migration).

In all panels and sessions are foreseen ample periods of debate, strongly stimulated.

During the Congress, preceding the closing session, the “OBSERVARE AWARDS” have been awarded, distinguishing António Guterres, UN Secretary-General and the National Defence Institute (IDN).

Due to the uncertainty about the evolution of the pandemic, not only in Portugal but also in several other countries (the Conference attracts international participants), a hybrid format was chosen, in which the first part of the Conference took place exclusively online and the second part of the Conference with a reduced number of Conference participants in physical presence and the remaining ones participating remotely, through digital means.