Resilient SMEs in Times of Global Crisis: A Succesful First Edition

On 29 April 2026, BE-NEXEL, HCLA, Knowleds and the Brussels Diplomatic Academy of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel co-hosted a high-level hybrid webinar bringing together business leaders, diplomats, legal experts, and international organisations from across the globe.

The session, held in a hybrid format at the HCLA Office in The Hague and broadcast online via Google Meet, proved to be a timely and highly relevant conversation. With growing geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment, the challenges facing SMEs operating across borders have never been more pressing — and yesterday's discussion addressed them head on.

The webinar explored a wide range of critical topics, including legal and compliance risk in cross-border operations, the impact of sanctions and regulatory challenges, the importance of building resilient supply chains, strategic governance and continuity planning, and how SMEs can adapt and thrive amid geopolitical uncertainty.

The event brought together a truly international and diverse audience, including representatives from embassies and diplomatic missions, trade commissions, chambers of commerce, legal professionals, CEOs and founders, academic institutions, and international business consultants — reflecting the global reach and relevance of the Think Global, Go Global programme.

This event marks the beginning of a continued series of practice-oriented sessions designed to equip businesses and organisations with the tools they need to navigate today's complex global landscape.

 We look forward to welcoming you at our next edition.