photopol: FEDERICA MOGHERINI

Rector Mogherini

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I was aware of Federica Mogherini from seeing her on the stand at EU Commission press conferences. She impressed me with her openess and command of her brief.

My interest heightened when I read that she was to be appointed as Rector of the College of Europe in succession to Rector Monar who was retiring. He had been relatively low profile in the public sphere but, observing him at online term openings and closings, I was impressed.

There had apparently been a call for applications for Rector some while back and it appears that none of the applicants was found suitable, so another round was called for.

Then, out of the blue, Mogherini's name surfaced. She was reaching the end of her term as as a Vice President of the EU Commission and EU High Representative on Foreign and Security Policy. She was reported as having spoken to EU Commission President von der Leyen on the matter and this gave rise to all sorts of rumours. In fact, she was just clearing with von der Leyen that it would be appropriate for her to take up the post should she be offered it. The Commission has rules regarding the appropriateness of former Commissioners taking on particular jobs.

Offered it she was, and take it she did, in September last.

There are societies in the College as there are in the universities, though there was no such thing there in my day. The Society for Aspiring Diplomats invited Mogherini to be interviewed on Women in Diplomacy, and that took place this morning.

While not revealing any state secrets, she was very open and up front personal and it was a fascinating session. She recounted anecdotes from her days as Italy's youngest woman foreign minister and her time as High Representative. She included also good advice for women aspiring to careers in diplomacy or positions in leadership

Much of what she said resonated with me, a mere man. You can view the session at this link.

The interview was ably carried out by aspiring diplomat Hannah Brandt, a student at the College and a member (I think Chair) of the above mentioned society.

The focus of the session was on Mogherini's experience as a woman professional but clearly there are reams of interesting and more general material hopefully still to come.

Here's to what I hope turns into a series: #Diplomacy101.