GLOBAL PANEL - Trans-Atlantic Drift Debate

July 16th, 2003 - washington

ADDRESS

Senate of the United States of America (tbc),
Washington

 

THE PEOPLE TO MEET

Leading experts and policy-makers from EU and acceding EU countries with their US counterparts.

Click here for further information.

 

FURTHER DESCRIPTION

As the EU extends its boundaries and the US strives for a New American Century, where do policy makers stand on inter-continental cooperation?

Introduction

Tensions between the United States, Europe and Britain have been highlighted by the crisis in Iraq. The United Nations and other supra-national bodies are cause for concern for the global community. As a standalone superpower, the US has become the fulcrum on which world trade, peace and security balances. With EU expansion slated for April 2004 and the EURO already performing strongly against the US Dollar, Federal Europe is primed to challenge US economic dominance.

- Can EU member states resolve their historical differences and work alongside the United States to create a more secure global environment?

- American society is based on competition. Will Federal Europe become a healthy competitor for the US economy?

- How can acceding EU countries contribute to the dialogue with America?

- How can the EU and the US work together to improve social and economic conditions in third world countries?

- Is the creation of large geo-political powers a threat to other states?

Concept

Global Panel will cooperate with the American Foreign Policy Council, the well-placed Washington Institute, and Dr. Yossef Bodansky (Director of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare at the US House of Representatives), to address some of these questions and issues. The Trans-Atlantic Drift Debate is scheduled for July 16 in the Senate of the United States of America.

While governments focus on foreign and domestic policy, there is often little or no time for open, frank debate on critical issues. The Trans-Atlantic Drift Debate will connect leading experts from EU and acceding EU countries with their US counterparts. Similarly policy-makers from both side of the Atlantic will join the debate to express their views and receive feedback.

The Trans-Atlantic Drift Debate will take place over a single day in Washington. In an opening plenary session, panellists will each present a short paper. The papers will then determine the scope of the ensuing debate. At the end of the day, key points will be summarized and a prescriptive document will be drafted.

Goal

The main goal of the Debate will be to engender collaborative, policy-oriented research on Intercontinental cooperation between the EU and the US moving forward. And similarly to encourage national governments to digest and act upon non-partisan research work by international, non-profit organizations.