The Forum Annual Lecture 2016 was delivered on Thursday 10th November by the Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP.
During the lecture, the Secretary of State urged leaders from all sectors to follow the example of Wales' universities – by seeking opportunities in Europe and beyond.
Mr Cairns challenged the Welsh business and political establishment to use the example set by the Higher Education sector post-Brexit in the major speech.
He said: "We must all take a positive approach to make the most of the change Brexit will bring about.
"There is no better example of a university reaching out to the world than Cardiff Met".
Speaking at the University's Cardiff School of Management, Mr Cairns said it is time to think about Wales' role in the wider world in "five to 10 years time".
"There has never been a greater need for a stable, outward looking, international approach from Government, business and universities here in the UK.
"The Wales Bill currently going through Parliament is the opportunity to move discussion forward from convoluted constitutional debates to actually talking about the issues that really concern people on the doorstep".
Mr Cairns said that Wales always had a strong voice in the wider world through culture, industry and innovation and paid tribute to "the historic contribution of our country to the world, and the links with diaspora communities that continue today. I want to grow and strengthen these vital links across the globe."
Mr Cairns concluded: "In this new post-Brexit world we have a tremendous opportunity, but also responsibility, to work together – UK Government, Welsh Government and the people of Wales – to deliver a future that works for everyone".
A vote of thanks for the Secretary of State's lecture was delivered by Cardiff Metropolitan University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Cara Aitchison.
