Over the course of six days in Denver, Colorado, a group of young Europeans and Americans confronted every major problem facing transatlantic relations today; and in one spirited working session after another, fixed them all. The end.

Kidding, of course.

Despite our motivation and professional accomplishments, I do not believe any of the fifty attendees of the 2026 Atlantik-Brücke German-American Young Leaders Conference were naive enough to think that in under a week, we would put any dent in the immense challenges caused by a shifting global order, the uneasiness of artificial intelligence, threats to NATO, or the loss of trust among historical allies. What we did do, instead, was voice our pessimism.

In an exercise on our first full day, we organized ourselves along an axis based on our feelings about the state of transatlantic relations. If most optimistic was a 10 on a scale, I put myself just above a 6. To me, the long-standing issues facing the transatlantic alliance have been exacerbated by the current administration. But I believed, as I imagine many on the optimistic side did, that although the relationship will likely have to take on a new form and there will be wounds to recover from, we will survive.

So I was caught off guard to see not just the number of people on the pessimistic side, but that the majority of them were European. I wondered if my optimism was naive, and I knew I was not the only one. An American policy advisor and fellow optimist expressed dismay that despite all their work trying to develop relationships, the European counterparts they deal with on a daily basis may also actually be feeling as cynical as those on the other side of the hotel event space.

“The US develops its own defense capabilities, keeping Europe at arms length”

By the end, we Germans and Americans (and one dapper Dane and a lovely Pole) did not in fact save transatlantic relations. If anything, we unearthed new concerns — rarely the recipe for renewed optimism. Dr. Malte Schmiedling, a Senior Policy Advisor on AI in Health for the German Federal Ministry of Health, and a member of my cohort, had originally taken a middle position on the scale. But after a tour and presentation at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), a world-renowned space science research facility, he slouched to a pessimistic 3 or 4. Dr. Schmiedling observed that even as the US develops its own defense capabilities, it was keeping Europe at arms length, ultimately sidelining a strong ally. But even as Europe is finding its footing in this unequal partnership, he noted that his pessimism is not yet at 0. “It can still go much worse,” he added cheekily.

Problems felt on both sides of the Atlantic

The tenor of the week was not all pessimism and frustration, though. The diverse range of panel discussions allowed experts to share their thoughts about problems felt on both sides of the Atlantic. In a panel on immigration policy, lawyers spoke about navigating the influx of migrants into Denver for nearly two years, starting from late 2022. During that time, the city took in over forty thousand migrants, among the highest per capita of cities in the US. To support the asylum seekers awaiting work authorization — and avoid creating a larger homeless situation — Denver implemented a program that provided rent-free housing, legal assistance and workforce training.

In another session with The Metro Mayor Caucus, a bipartisan group of mayors from the Denver area who collaborate to find solutions for their communities, the local leaders also shared their insights from their on-the-ground efforts in addressing the migrant surge. Germany’s own crisis of asylum seekers nearly a decade prior also came up as a case study. I was struck by the innovation the panelists showed —- paying for tickets to relocate migrants to places where they had family, for example —- but also by the costs. According to one mayor, that meant cutting nearly $50 million dollars from their city budget and several hundred layoffs, all while dealing with the day-to-day responsibilities of “police, parks and potholes.”

“My big takeaway is that we all have issues,” one mayor said. “And I think we all have  solutions,” he continued. “But we won’t know what those issues are or what those solutions might be if we don’t talk to each other, ask questions and be willing to listen.”

I enjoyed getting to know my cohort. These current and future leaders are well-informed, nuanced in their analyses, curious and willing to listen. It is why I still felt a certain optimism by the end of the week. Beyond their professional credentials, though, I learned that they were also funny, competitive and some of the most enthusiastic karaoke buddies on either side of the Atlantic. My German comrades: I will be practicing “Skandal Im Sperrbezirk” for the next time we meet!

For more insights from our Young Leaders, watch the video below:

Der Beitrag Crises, Compromise, and Karaoke: Inside the 2026 Young Leaders Conference erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

When watching transatlantic relations today, one is inevitably glued to the big political stage. In the spotlight: U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The plot: every handshake in the Oval Office, scrutinized for whether diplomatic flattery will immediately be followed by the next public swipe. Observers endlessly debate whether common ground can still be found on Ukraine or tariffs. And what it means when the American president, responding to German criticism over Iran, publicly tells the Chancellor to focus on “fixing his broken country” instead.

German companies are investing in the United States at near-record levels.

For more insights from our Young Leaders, watch the video below.

Der Beitrag What Colorado’s Town Halls Reveal about the Transatlantic Bond erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

How can Canada and Germany deepen their partnership and offer each other stability amid rapid and far-reaching change in the global community? That was the central question for participants in the Young Atlantiks Program 2026. The program, created and organized by Atlantik Brücke Canada and Atlantik Brücke e.V. has brought five Canadians and five Germans together to exchange knowledge and ideas on transatlantic cooperation since 2019.

By Moritz Altmann-Meissner & Lisa Xie

From May 17 to 21, these young men and women from diverse backgrounds met in Berlin to discuss various aspects of the transatlantic partnership and attend the 39th German-Canadian Conference. Drawing on expertise in business, academia, journalism, the armed forces, and public policy, they engaged with a range of speakers on topics currently under discussion at the highest levels of government, including energy and critical minerals, security, trade, and artificial intelligence. All sessions were held under Chatham House rules. The program also included an exchange with the Canadian ambassador to Germany, Vera Alexander, who had taken up her post only months earlier and challenged the participants to offer advice on strengthening ties between Canada and Germany. In a session with members of the Bundestag’s Committee for German-Canadian Relations, the Young Atlantiks program was met with strong interest, praise, and discussion of how it might expand in the future.

The exchange was shaped by two major developments in transatlantic relations. On the one hand, the second Trump administration in the United States imposed tariffs on some of its closest trading partners, including Canada and Germany, weakening the economic recovery of many countries. U.S. military support for Ukraine was cancelled, and the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has not only strained NATO but also sharply driven up oil prices. On the other hand, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew attention at Davos in January 2026 when he called on “middle powers” to work more closely together. This middle powers narrative was also central to the German-Canadian Conference, where many panelists cited Carney and discussed the practical implications of his call. Following the sessions and their participation in the debates, the Young Atlantiks identified three central takeaways. 

The new Cold War – Defending the Arctic is vital for securing sovereignty

The Arctic is a frontline in today’s multipolar world, a point agreed on by nearly all speakers at the German-Canadian Conference. Since the first Russian activities and claims in the Arctic in 2001, the region has become a hotspot for tensions and disputes. Russia and China have increased their military presence, sending more icebreakers, submarines, and aircraft into the Arctic. Many speakers stressed that control over the Arctic affects the sovereignty of both Canada, as Russia and China send vessels into Canadian waters, and Germany, which depends on open trade routes and stable access to resources. According to German experts, Germany could contribute – amongst other things – vessels from the federal police, the Bundespolizei, to stop and search Chinese fishing fleets in Canadian waters, an issue falling under police rather than military jurisdiction. The addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO was seen by many participants as a key factor in strengthening the alliance’s position in the north. At the same time, some criticized the fact that major gaps still remain in Western Arctic capabilities.

Between Reactors and Renewables – Differences in Energy Policy

Canada and Germany approach the energy transition from different starting points, but their differences can be complementary rather than contradictory. Germany’s experience shows the political and industrial challenges of moving away from nuclear power, while Canada’s energy mix gives it more room to balance renewables, hydro, and other low-carbon sources. A stronger partnership could focus on sharing technologies, regulatory lessons, and grid solutions that improve reliability, affordability, and resilience during the transition.

Critical mineral as an industrial strategic partnership

Critical minerals are becoming a defining area of industrial cooperation between Canada and Germany because both countries need secure, transparent, and diversified supply chains. Canada can offer resources, responsible extraction, and upstream processing potential, while Germany brings advanced manufacturing capacity and strong demand from sectors such as automotive, batteries, and clean technology. A strategic partnership in this area would help both countries reduce dependence on unstable suppliers and build more resilient industrial systems.

Der Beitrag A look back at the Young Atlantiks Program 2026 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

This year (June 11, 2026), the Atlantik-Brücke hosted its traditional SACEUR talk at the ILA aerospace show in Berlin. The high-profile discussion brought together General Carsten Breuer, Chief of Defense of the Bundeswehr; General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR); Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn; and OJ Sanchez of Lockheed Martin – to discuss Europe’s progress in defense, but also to lay bare its remaining gaps, as the continent works to restore its military credibility. The panel was moderated by Robert Wall (Aviation Week).

“This is the first time that the Atlantik-Brücke has held its traditional talk with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the Chief of Defense of the Bundeswehr in public,” said Sigmar Gabriel, Chairman of the Atlantik-Brücke, in his welcome remarks. “It is also our premiere with General Alexus G. Grynkewich. And General Carsten Breuer is a steadfast partner in our security policy dialogue.”

“Even six to eight years ago, I couldn’t have imagined holding a discussion about the shift in attitude within the Bundeswehr and the defense industry,” Breuer affirmed.

“2029, this is where it counts. And this is the reason why I put a red line on all our timescales in the Ministry of Defense.”

[related] A recurring theme of the discussion was time. Breuer described how he has drawn a firm deadline in his ministry’s planning: “2029, this is where it counts. And this is the reason why I put a red line on all our timescales in the Ministry of Defense.” He repeatedly pressed for openness between politics, industry, and the armed forces, warning that timelines can no longer simply be pushed back. “We have to be honest to ourself,” he said, arguing that if a goal set for 2029 cannot be met, “then we have to discuss how to mitigate this, because there is no other chance.”

The panelists pushed back on the notion that Europe remains a “paper tiger.” “Most allies have increased their defense budgets. Last year, for the first time, all allies met the target set at NATO’s Wales summit,” said Grynkewich. He cautioned, however, that money alone does not create capability – it requires “delivery through an industrial base that’s healthy, that’s innovative.” “It would be wrong to say that Europe has no defense capability at all. The money is now being made available. We in the defense industry have to ramp up the innovation of our products,” Schöllhorn said, stressing: “The defense industry and the procurement system have to work even more closely together.”

The thorniest capability gap lies in long-range precision strike

The thorniest capability gap discussed on the panel lies in long-range precision strike. Breuer outlined a three-step approach – first relying on US capabilities, then procuring systems, and finally building a European solution – while acknowledging the uncertainty around the first two steps. His guiding criterion, he stressed, is availability by the 2029 horizon: systems must be procured “whenever they are available,” depending on what the market and development timelines allow. “We have to establish transparency about the red lines of our objectives. That means by 2029 we have to have been honest with ourselves. After that, we can no longer afford any delays. If a specific goal is at risk, we have to ask ourselves how to mitigate the resulting threat.”

“As for Europe’s capabilities in long-range precision strike, it’s clear that within NATO and from the US perspective we need certain air and maritime capabilities under certain conditions,” Grynkewich emphasized. And he analyzed: “Long-range weapons help the alliance establish deterrence in the short term. In the medium and long term, long-range precision strike has to be complemented by cyber and space capabilities. For that, research and development has to be adapted.”

“Lockheed Martin is rapidly ramping up its industrial manufacturing capacity. All our systems have to contribute to enabling long-range precision strikes,” Sanchez assured.

“Whoever is able to master the data, is gonna have a decision advantage.”

Both generals converged on a deeper point: networking matters more than individual platforms. “It is all about the data,” Grynkewich said. “Whoever is able to master the data, move it more quickly, apply more effective algorithms to it, is gonna have a decision advantage.” The two industry representatives reiterated the call for common standards, and Breuer warned against deferring standardization: “Don’t delay it because we don’t have the time.”

On the alliance’s future shape, Grynkewich framed a lighter American burden as a strength rather than a retreat. Asked what a transatlantic alliance looks like if the US carries less of the load, he answered: “It looks stronger. It looks more sustainable.” He situated this within a “NATO 3.0” concept that gives Europe a more balanced voice.

Asked about a hypothetical scenario in which Russia were to attack the Baltic states, the SACEUR was unequivocal: “Absolutely we’re ready to fight tonight. We’re ready to fight tonight across all 32 nations.” Breuer added: “Our problem is not within the alliance. Our problem sits in Moscow, and therefore we have to do something against this.”

“Absolutely we’re ready to fight tonight. We’re ready to fight tonight across all 32 nations.”

Breuer closed the discussion with praise for the transatlantic partnership: “I’m absolutely glad to have an American SACEUR here, because this provides – apart from General Grynkewich himself – that transatlantic link, which is also what the Atlantik-Brücke is all about. I think it’s good, and we should keep it this way as long as that’s possible.”

Der Beitrag “2029 is the Red Line”: SACEUR-Talk on Europe’s Defense Buildup erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The setting gave that question real stakes. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the German-Canadian partnership and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It also arrives at a moment when the assumptions that long underwrote transatlantic security and trade can no longer be taken for granted. Across the program, the same themes surfaced again and again — and so did the recognition that goodwill, on its own, is not a strategy.

Nowhere was the opportunity clearer, or the gap between ambition and execution more visible, than on critical minerals. German industry needs reliable, diversified supplies; Canada has the resources and, since the August 2025 Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Cooperation, a framework to match them. Sessions featuring voices from Vale Base Metals, PowerCo, Merck Electronics, and former senior officials who helped negotiate Canada’s recent battery investments made the logic plain. They also made the challenge plain: a declaration is not a mine, and Canadian projects take years to permit and build while German manufacturers need supply now.

Bridging that timing gap — through patient capital, faster permitting, and a shared appetite for risk — emerged as one of the most concrete tests of whether the relationship can move from strategy to execution.

Security cooperation told a similar story. With the EU-Canada Security and Defence Partnership concluded in 2025, the two sides now have a framework for working together on cyber and hybrid threats, crisis management, and the defence-industrial base. Discussions among speakers drawn from Canadian and German security circles returned repeatedly to one design principle: the partnership must reinforce NATO, not duplicate it. The harder, quieter question was how to give it genuine substance — opening defence-industrial collaboration, deepening intelligence ties — so that it amounts to more than another dialogue.

The week’s discussions on technology pointed to what may be the most forward-looking strand of the relationship. The German-Canadian Digital Alliance, launched in late 2025, has already produced its first concrete result in a transatlantic partnership between Canadian and German AI companies — an effort to build trustworthy, sovereign AI capacity less dependent on providers from the United States and China. For two countries that share democratic values and a wariness of technological dependence, digital sovereignty is fast becoming a field where cooperation is not merely desirable but strategically necessary.

Yet the most striking insight of the week came less from the formal panels than from the cohort’s own conversations. Time and again, the participants found that the obstacles to closer cooperation are rarely grand and almost always practical: how to recognize one another’s professional qualifications, how to move skilled people across the Atlantic without each case becoming a special project, how to give researchers and businesses rules predictable enough to build on. The German-Canadian relationship is rich in summitry.

What it most needs is the unglamorous infrastructure — mutual recognition, mobility, stable investment rules, research ties that outlast electoral cycles — that turns goodwill into habit.

That, perhaps, is the clearest idea to come out of the 2026 program. The temptation of middle-power partnership is to reach for the dramatic gesture. The more durable work is patient and institutional, done before a crisis rather than during one. The countries that end up shaping the order they want are those that have built the connective tissue in advance.

The Young Atlantiks Program exists precisely to build that tissue at the human level — connecting the next generation of Canadians and Germans who will carry this relationship forward. If the 2026 cohort is any indication, the partnership is in capable hands. Whether both governments will provide the time, resources, and political will to match that ambition is the question the week left open — and the one most worth watching in the year ahead.

Der Beitrag Building Bridges That Hold erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

By Moritz Meißner

If there was one single event on everybody’s mind at the 39^th German-Canadian Conference in Berlin in May 2026, it certainly was Mark Carney’s speech at Davos four months earlier. The speech, which could be dubbed the Middle-Powers-Declaration, was quoted by almost every panelist and took a prominent role in the discussion One Year in Office: Balancing Global Focus vs. Domestic Challenges about the first years of Carney as Canadian Prime Minister and Friedrich Merz as the German Chancellor. Although some speakers voiced their scepticism about whether Carney could deliver on the high expectations he had raised, his speech was praised by most participants for its bravery and Carney, remarkably popular at home and abroad, appeared to have inherited the title as the de facto leader of the free world.

Trump helped Carney to find his role

What is striking about this speech is not only the content but also its improbability. When Mark Carney took over as prime minister from Justin Trudeau in January 2025 and called a federal election, nobody expected him to win. Every major poll predicted a landslide victory for the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre. It was Trump’s trade war against Canada and his infamous 51^st state campaign that allowed Carney to find his role. He took a firm stand against Washington, appealed to Canadian patriotism and presented himself successfully as the leader who would preserve Canadian independence. Having earned a good reputation as a highly competent banker during the financial crisis in 2008 and focusing on the economy, he also presented a noticeable pragmatic departure from idealist Trudeau. Carney himself called for a value-oriented realism – a term that is echoed in the Davos speech. Part of that realism is to acknowledge the ever-present threat from south of the border and to realize that the geopolitical landscape has changed for good. It was no surprise then that Carney focused on Canadian resilience in economy, trade, energy and security. The One Canadian Economy Act, which passed parliament in June 2025, attests to that.

“While Carney accepted the departure from the old-world order under Trump as the new reality early on, Merz tried to keep the status quo and lost not only political capital but also credibility.”

So far, Carney’s once unlikely reign can show some success. Canada’s GDP grew by 1.7% in 2025, the second highest growth among the G7. The major projects office – a key institution for accelerating strategic construction projects like pipelines or data centers – was installed at Calgary, currently developing 16 projects of so-called ‘national interest’. The Canadian armed forces have seen the highest enrolment in 30 years, according to Ottawa. And Carney enjoys a remarkable popularity among voters. In a recent poll Abacus Data 59% of Canadians support the course of the government – the highest number ever recorded.

At the same time, Carney faces criticism from environmental groups and members of the First Nations who fear that fast-tracking projects of national interest will lead to disregarding environmental protection standards or the right of co-determination of Indigenous groups. Speakers at the panel also identified the Alberta independence referendum as a problem for the Carney administration. A successful referendum is highly unlikely, but the campaign itself and the discussion could foster division among Canadians and damage the government.

Merz tried an appeasement strategy with Trump, but this was a fruitless endeavour

When Friedrich Merz took office in Berlin in May 2025, he had a very different start than Carney. Although he was never very popular as a politician, his new coalition conjured some hopes – especially in the business sector – after the disastrous end of the highly unpopular ‘Ampel’ government of his predecessor Olaf Scholz. Merz inherited an economic crisis and focussed on reviving the industrial sector. Unfortunately, Germany was one of the main targets of Trump’s trade war. Key industries like the automotive or the chemical sector suffered because of tariffs, high energy costs and a growing feeling of economic insecurity.

The US-Israeli War against Iran made things worse due to oil shortages that made gas prices skyrocket and led to anger and resentment in the population. Like the British prime minister Keir Starmer or NATO chief Mark Rutte, Merz tried an appeasement strategy with Trump, flattering him and bringing gifts to Washington. He learned the hard way that this was a fruitless endeavour. While Carney accepted the departure from the old-world order under Trump as the new reality early on, Merz tried to keep the status quo and lost not only political capital but also credibility.

Despite all this, Merz can still claim at least some moderate success. After the recession of the previous government, the GDP actually grew in 2025, even if only by 0.2%. Illegal migration, the second big issue of the administration, has been reduced significantly. Only about 47,000 illegal border crossings have been registered in 2025 – that number was three times as high just two years ago. However, German companies still lament a suffocating amount of regulation, high energy costs and a weak demand, all of which darken companies’ visions of the near future. So far, the administration has produced no permanent solution for that. Instead, the coalition of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats seems to repeat the fatal flaw of the previous government: key reform projects like pensions, health care or taxes are overshadowed by open quarrels that erode trust in the cabinet.

“While Mark Carney is keen on presenting himself as a leader who cares, who shows empathy, humour and real interest in his fellow Canadians, Merz seems to lack good PR advisors.”

This leads to another major problem for Merz – his style of leadership. While Mark Carney is keen on presenting himself as a leader who cares, who shows empathy, humour and real interest in his fellow Canadians, Merz seems to lack good PR advisors. He has faced backlash on numerous occasions during his first year, implying that Germans are basically too lazy and do not work enough, that they take too much sick leave and that migrants – be they legal or illegal – present a problem in German society. Polls show that Merz appears to many Germans as cold, arrogant and – being a millionaire – detached from the everyday struggles of ordinary people.

According to ZDF, 65% of Germans have a negative opinion about Merz and his government, an all-time-low for a German chancellor, as was highlighted by the panelists at the conference in their conclusion. They warned that the weakness of the Merz administration will further strengthen the AfD, the right-wing party. Once in power in states or the federal government, the AfD could impose unconstitutional measures and become a major threat to the political system in Germany that is founded on a liberal democracy.

About the author: Moritz Meißner is a Young Atlantiks alumnus from the class of 2026 and works as a news editor at Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR).

Der Beitrag Lessons in Realism: Carney’s Rise, Merz’s Stumble erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The briefing paper by David Bosold and David G. Haglund examines the “special relationship” between Canada and Germany through the lens of “strategic culture,” using the symbols of middle power and linchpin as analytical anchors. The authors compare the landmark speeches by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Davos (January 2026) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Munich Security Conference (February 2026), arguing that media coverage has glossed over a crucial divergence: Carney declared a definitive “rupture” with the old transatlantic order and called for broad middle-power solidarity, while Merz urged allies to “repair and revive transatlantic trust” within an explicitly Western, values-based framework.

The paper then turns to Canada’s pending submarine procurement decision — German/Norwegian TKMS 212CD versus South Korean Hanwha Ocean — framing it as a strategic litmus test. The authors argue this choice should not be read as a revival of Pierre Trudeau’s failed “Third Option” trade-diversification strategy, nor should it be driven primarily by economic offsets. Instead, they contend that NATO interoperability, Arctic sovereignty, and transatlantic alliance cohesion must take precedence, making the German/Norwegian bid the strategically superior choice.

Read the full paper here: A different kind of linchpin

Der Beitrag Canada, Germany, and the Future of the Western Alliance erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The 39th German-Canadian Conference, organized by Atlantik-Brücke and its Canadian counterpart, brought together policymakers, industry representatives, and academics from both countries in Berlin on May 18 and 19, 2026. The first day began with a visit to the Bundesrat, followed by a joint event with the Transatlantic Business Initiative at the Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft. The focus there was on critical minerals and the German-Canadian Memorandum of Understanding on raw materials cooperation between the two countries.

The main conference day on the second day at the Canadian Embassy covered a wide range of geopolitical and societal issues: topics included transatlantic research cooperation, the strategic importance of the Arctic, the EU-Canada Security and Defense Partnership, the upcoming AI transformation in the media industry, and the German-Canadian Digital Alliance.

On the sidelines of the conference, we interviewed Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Presidium of the German Economic Institute as well as Vice-Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke and Prof. Nik Nanos, Founder & Chief Data Scientist of Nanos Research and Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke Canada. Both have been integral parts of the conference for a decade and spoke with us about how the conference’s topics have been influenced by the geopolitical upheavals of recent years, why academic freedom is a competitive advantage for middle powers like Germany and Canada and how they view their respective governments’ track record after their first year in office.

Recommended reading: The briefing paper by David Bosold and David G. Haglund examines the “special relationship” between Canada and Germany through the lens of “strategic culture,” using the symbols of middle power and linchpin as analytical anchors.

Der Beitrag Emerging Middle Powers: Germany and Canada Seek a Common Path erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The focus was on how financial markets, technology, and supply chains are holding their own amid the geopolitical pressures of our time. Key topics included the role of global financial capital in the tension between profit, security, and political stability, as well as the booming defense sector: Where does the line between commercial technology and military power lie in the age of dual-use applications?

Other panels examined the transatlantic AI model, the future of the financial system in the digital age, the geopolitical significance of the semiconductor industry, and the new industrial policies of the major powers. The event concluded with a debate on the resilience of global supply chains.

Our sincere thanks goes to Deutsche Bank, which was an outstanding host of the conference.

Der Beitrag Semiconductors, High Tech, Trade Power: The German-American Partnership Seeks New Answers erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Der Beitrag Young Atlantiks: Class of 2026 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The Young Atlantiks Program builds on this legacy by investing in the next generation of German-Canadian leaders. Now in its seventh year, the program convenes a select group of emerging professionals from Germany and Canada for an intensive five-day exchange in Berlin, focused on current and future challenges on both sides of the Atlantic.

Participants will engage in in-depth discussions, workshops, and meetings with senior decision-makers, academics, and business leaders from a wide range of sectors. In addition, the Young Atlantiks delegation will attend the German-Canadian Conference in Berlin, held on May 18–19, 2026. Core themes of the conference will include security policy and shifting geopolitical realities, critical raw materials and industrial transformation, digital infrastructure and data sovereignty, as well as key domestic political debates in both countries.

Program Format:

• Up to 10 participants (German, Canadian, gender-balanced)
• Five days of in-person programming in Berlin, Germany (Sunday, May 17 – Thursday, May 21, 2026)
• Meetings and discussions with leaders from politics, business, academia, and civil society
• English as the primary working language
• Participation in the German-Canadian Conference 2026

Eligibility & Profile:

Successful applicants must

• Be German or Canadian citizens aged 28–35 (inclusive at the time of the program)
• Demonstrate leadership and impact in their professional careers
• Show a strong interest in the German-Canadian partnership and in political, economic, and social issues
• Be willing to actively contribute to the Atlantik-Brücke and Atlantik-Brücke Canada networks
• Come from any sector, including business, government, media, military, non-profit, finance, academia, or the arts
• Contribute to a diverse cohort, including gender minorities and individuals from all backgrounds

Program Objectives:

• Foster deeper understanding of the German-Canadian relationship among emerging leaders
• Provide first-hand insight into another country’s political institutions, society, history, and culture
• Strengthen and expand the German-Canadian alumni network
• Increase the engagement of future leaders within the Atlantik-Brücke and Atlantik-Brücke Canada networks

Costs & Logistics:

Participants will receive fixed stipends to help cover international travel to Berlin, accommodation, and group meals. Travel arrangements to and from the conference must be organized individually. Personal and incidental expenses remain the responsibility of participants.

Program Dates:

• Arrival: Sunday, May 17, 2026 (earlier arrival possible at personal expense)
• Departure: Thursday, May 21, 2026 (extensions possible at personal expense)

Program Dates:

Deadline for applications is Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Start application

• Step 1: Fill in the application form.
• Step 2: Upload your letter of motivation and CV.
• NOTE: All documents must be in English.

Contact:

Der Beitrag German-Canadian Young Atlantiks Program 2026 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

There was much speculation in the days following the January 20^th, 2025  executive order to freeze all U.S. foreign aid spending. Working for a partner NGO of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), my colleagues and I speculated that the Secretary of State would defend development assistance as a critical foreign policy tool–as he had publicly for more than a decade. When instead we were faced with blanket stop work orders, we speculated as to how 6,200 aid programs would be fairly reviewed in only 90 days. We speculated about which words we should use–and shouldn’t use–to justify our work. How could we explain programs that improve water systems in Ghana or the Gaza Strip, provide meals to students in Madagascar, or operate community centers for women and children displaced by the Syrian War in the context of making America safer, stronger and more prosperous?

“A staggering human toll of half a million lives lost.”

[related]This was no easy task. For decades, NGOs implemented programs on behalf of the federal government whose merits were measured more intrinsically: the number of lives saved, jobs created, school attendance rates improved, agricultural output increased, disease incidence reduced. As we compiled such impact metrics to facilitate the 90-day review, we questioned whether they would still be compelling. We speculated about whether we’d be paid for work already conducted or whether the dismantlement of USAID was constitutional. Many of these questions remain tied up in complex court cases. No matter the answer, the damage was done. Before the 90 day review period had even concluded, 83% of programs were terminated. Quite literally overnight, from Sub-Saharan Africa to Pacific Island nations to the frontlines of Ukraine, health clinics closed, food aid sat undistributed in warehouses, child vaccination campaigns ceased, demining efforts stalled. This amounted to more than disrupted programs, layoffs, and contractual questions for implementing organizations. According to estimates by the Center for Global Development, the shuttering of USAID exacted a staggering human toll of half a million lives lost and counting.

There was also speculation as to which donors might step up to fill the gap in humanitarian and development assistance vacated by the United States. The European Union, Germany, France, or the United Kingdom were floated in many conversations as alternative donors we could pitch our programs to. I was more skeptical. In 2024, Germany had already passed steep reductions to foreign aid, cutting its humanitarian budget nearly one-fifth over 2023 and slashing it another 50% in 2026. The imperative to fund more military spending in support of Ukraine’s right to self-defense has provided several European nations further ground to renege on foreign aid commitments.

“What is needed are commitments to international development with staying power.”

One year since the first executive order, I continue speculating often about the future of international development and humanitarian assistance. At the time of writing, the U.S. Congress is moving forward a bill that would provide $20 billion more in foreign aid than proposed in the President’s budget package, and global health programs in particular seem poised to return to prior funding levels. Though I enthusiastically welcome this news, international development proponents would be loath to return to the previous reliance on U.S. assistance. What is needed are commitments to international development with staying power—commitments that survive political cycles, crowd in diversified private and public funding, and cultivate locally owned solutions. Multilateral institutions, including UN agencies, the European Union, and international development banks, remain potent examples of how pooled resources can buffer against the shifting priorities of any one country and safeguard the extended time horizons needed to tackle the world’s most intractable development and humanitarian challenges.

The events of 2025 left many of us in this sector shaken but not deterred. I do this work because I believe strongly that development is not zero sum. Economic security, political stability, social justice, healthy people, and a healthy planet: more of this everywhere is a win for humankind.

Tessa Coggio is a 2023 Atlantik Brücke Young Leader. She is a Monitoring and Evaluation practitioner with a background in international development and humanitarian assistance across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Tessa is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service. The views expressed by the author are shared in a strictly personal capacity.

Der Beitrag Shaken but Not Deterred: Why I Still Have Hope for International Development After 2025 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Written by Claudia Kade

When a political party moves into opposition, its trajectory often follows a familiar script—on both sides of the Atlantic. Losing the reins of government usually ushers in a period of turmoil: once the unifying force of power is gone, buried conflicts over the party’s direction resurface, and new or once peripheral figures see their moment to step into the spotlight and vie for leadership.

“In opposition, a party’s image becomes blurrier, and discipline starts to erode,” a prominent and influential U.S. Democrat told us during our trip through Arizona and California, just days before the regional elections in New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey. And indeed, the Democrats — if one can still speak of the Democrats — are no closer, even after their clear victories, to knowing which current offers the most promising path for the party at the national level.

[related] Should they ride the wave of enthusiasm that swept 34-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani into the New York City mayor’s office? His vision of confronting President Donald Trump’s right-wing populism with an equally outspoken left-wing populism has stirred resistance both in business circles and among the party’s more conservative members.

Or should the party take a more centrist path, as exemplified by the newly elected governors of Virginia and New Jersey, Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill? Both advocate classic Democratic policies, with few initiatives on so-called “woke” issues. Their focus is instead on the middle class and small- to medium-sized businesses.

And when will arguably the most prominent active Democrat, California Governor Gavin Newsom, step beyond his combative, Trump-focused rhetoric and shift toward a more serious, policy-driven approach? Or will it be the time for the cautious Andy Beshear, governor of traditionally Republican Kentucky, who subtly tries to engage conservative voters in rural regions?

Saving what can still be saved

A year after Trump’s victory, one thing is clear: recent polling cannot be seen as a sign that the Democrats are on a winning streak. New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia are traditionally Democratic territories, and historically, the first elections after a presidential race tend to favor the opposition. The Democrats are therefore fighting not only against Trump but also against their own reputation for being overly moralistic and ideologically driven. The party’s future strategy must focus on reclaiming Trump voters rather than simply consoling its existing base.

The starting point is difficult: the Democrats are, in a way, functioning as a “niche party,” by necessity. They aim to exert influence wherever President Trump — for the moment — leaves room. Democratic mayors seek allies among Republican counterparts who also want to challenge Trump’s trade policies. With pragmatic determination, they work to attract foreign companies to their cities, ensuring part of the “America First” benefits for their citizens and preventing wide swaths of the population in their areas from falling into poverty and neglect. Across the board, Democrats are trying to salvage what they can from public healthcare. Like foreign leaders, they feel held hostage by Trump — and so far, they have had little to oppose him.

And then there are those who still seem to ignore the idea of a fresh start, most notably Kamala Harris. She is quick to answer questions about a possible 2028 presidential run and has not dismissed the idea of running again. “I’m not done yet,” she declared, without a hint of embarrassment. Someone should probably tell her otherwise.

About the author: Claudia Kade is Head of the Politics Department at the daily newspaper Die Welt.

Der Beitrag Democrats at a Crossroads: Left-Wing Populism or the Center Path? erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

By Antonia Howaldt and Jason Drouyor​​​ 

Setting the stage for collaboration

After a warm welcome by Julia Friedlander, CEO of the Atlantik-Brücke and her team Tobias Luthe, Head of the Young Leaders Program & Deputy Director of Programs, Louise Lüdke, Program Manager and Franka Ellman, Director of Programs and Transatlantic Partnerships, the conference opened with remarks from Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Presidium of the German Economic Institute and Deputy Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke e.V. He addressed the evolving balance of hard and soft power, the strategic ambiguity of the Trump administration, the exhaustion of globalization, and the farewell to the post–Cold War international security and trade orders. He also spoke about the role of China, Germany’s Zeitenwende, and how debt brake reform enables increased defense investments, strengthening Germany and the EU as more independent allies. Prof. Hüther highlighted the tensions globalization has created, with both winners and those left behind fueling political polarization—as seen in the rise of AfD voters in Germany and Trump supporters in rural America.

Managing these tensions while preserving democratic self-determination remains, he emphasized, a central challenge of our time.

On the first full day, participants engaged in scenario sessions, envisioning best- and worst-case futures for Germany and the United States in 2030. With a realistic eye toward economics, politics, security, technology, society, and the environment, these sessions provided a valuable framework for understanding what is at stake in the years ahead and for identifying opportunities that could be seized through cooperation and innovation.

This year’s conference also brought back several Young Leaders alumni as guest speakers to engage with pressing questions of our time. Karsten Uhlmann (YL 2003), Managing Director of Frankfurter Brauhaus GmbH and Member of the Board of Atlantik-Brücke, gave a personal account of entrepreneurship and resilience in Eastern Germany in his talk “Beyond Berlin – Founding and Growing Businesses in East Germany.” He shared his story of growing up in communist East Berlin, experiencing the Fall of the Wall, purchasing the German brewery Frankfurter Brauhaus in 2003 with a friend, expanding it, later navigating the challenges of rising energy prices and eventually the global expansion including opening a German brewery in Charlotte, USA. The discussion also addressed the evolving political landscape in Eastern Germany, focusing on the lingering sense of marginalization and incomplete integration decades after reunification.

His reflections underscored how business, politics, and history remain closely intertwined in shaping the opportunities of today. Paula Cipierre (YL 2024), Global Head of Privacy at HCL Tech, shared insights on regulating artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with ethics, and the challenge of establishing global standards. A specific focus was given to delivering a comparative analysis of German/EU and U.S. AI governance approaches, highlighting Germany’s coordination through the EU AI Act and the U.S.’s executive-driven, principle-based strategy. Her analysis highlighted the continuing work that is needed in AI governance in the years ahead. Dr. Max Krahé (YL 2022), Co-Founder and Research Director, together with Dr. Florian Schuster-Johnson, Head of Growth and Budget Lab at Dezernat Zukunft, also visited to outline Germany’s economic and fiscal Zeitenwende, exploring both opportunities and trade-offs. Discussions across these sessions encouraged participants to critically assess how transatlantic cooperation can respond to shifting geopolitical and technological realities.

The program also offered opportunities to engage directly with experts shaping Germany’s political and security landscape. In a session on “Germany’s Army in Transition: Planning, Progress, and Pressure,” Colonel Karsten Struß, Head of the Strategic Management Division at the Bundeswehr, shared insights into the modernization of Germany’s armed forces, the pressures of adapting to new security realities, and the challenges of balancing planning with implementation. Complementing this, Claudia Kade, Head of the Politics Department at Die WELT, provided her commentary on the first 100 days of the new coalition and discussed the impact of algorithmic news consumption, as well as its role in shaping media reporting.

From policy debates to cultural immersion

Beyond the Schloss, participants traveled to Berlin for a series of immersive visits that blended policy dialogue with cultural exchange.

[related] At the Edge East Side Tower, Antonia Bruhn, Senior Public Policy Manager DACH, Amazon Web Services (AWS), provided an overview on cloud computing in the age of (digital) sovereignty and its geopolitical implications. Clemens John, Public Policy Manager for Digital & Devices, delivered a briefing on broadband expansion through Project Kuiper, Amazon’s low-earth-orbit satellite broadband network, designed to provide fast and affordable broadband connectivity to underserved communities worldwide. Afra Gloria Müller, Corporate Affairs Manager, reported on Amazon’s current local community engagement programs in Berlin and DACH region, including KiezLab, offering free working space to the local Berlin community. These discussions at Amazon underscored how global enterprises can contribute locally while addressing international challenges in connectivity and data governance.

Siemtje Möller (YL 2018), Member of the Bundestag (SPD), Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader, and former Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defense under Chancellor Scholz 2021-2025, highlighted the challenges Germany faces in closing the gap between political ambition and defense preparedness, the difficult trade-offs required to strengthen capabilities, and the implications for transatlantic security cooperation. A Young Leader herself, she has also shared memories on the 2018 YL Conference, where she chaired a group session with Julia Friendlander on Western defense (or German defense). The following visit to the Bundestag provided both historical perspectives and contemporary insights about the Reichstag building, the structure of Germany’s coalition-based parliamentary system, and how the Bundestag is shaping Germany’s leadership role in Europe.

When visiting the Federal Chancellery, we deepened our understanding of the Chancellor’s pivotal role in guiding national policy and strengthening transatlantic cooperation. This visit included a discussion on the transatlantic relationship and European Policy with Jacob Schrot (YL 2022), Chief of Staff to the Chancellor, and Ole Funke, Group Lead at the Federal Chancellery. They provided their insights into Germany’s priorities within the EU and the importance of aligning European and transatlantic strategies.

Their remarks emphasized the need for strong coordination in addressing shared geopolitical challenges and underscored the role of the Chancellery in shaping Germany’s contribution to European leadership and transatlantic unity.

The cultural immersion culminated in a visit with Christian Awe, Artist and Painter, and a discussion on the Berlin art scene in his Berlin studio. His monumental painting Encounter, located in the heart of Berlin beside the Holocaust Memorial, offered a striking example of the exhaustive planning and vision required to realize such a large-scale project while preserving its balance of abstraction and photorealism. For participants, the artwork underscored how the intersection of art, history, and public space can serve as a catalyst for dialogue. In this context, cultural exchange was highlighted as a vital force in strengthening democratic resilience and deepening the bonds of transatlantic cooperation.

Collaborative outcomes

In seven different World Café sessions, participants engaged in small groups to discuss current transatlantic challenges, ranging from an Oxford debate-style to an informal “ask-me-anything” format. Topics included:

• Fakes, Hacks, and Influence – Cyber Threats and the Fight for Narrative Control
• From Growth to Geopolitics – How Venture Capital Is Being Redefined in a Fragmented World
• Decoupling or Interdependence – Competing with China in a Tech-Driven World
• Deterrence by Design – Building Credible Western Defense Capabilities for Modern Conflicts
• Rebuilding Trust – How to Lead within Integrity, Accountability, and Vision
• Beyond the Pitch – Operating, Scaling, and Thriving as a Young Company
• Power Shift – How to Lead the Global Energy Transition

The World Café sessions served as a springboard for sharing ideas that would later support the participants’ efforts in their respective working groups.

Throughout the week, working groups served as incubators for actionable ideas to strengthen and modernize the transatlantic partnership. Rather than treating defense, technology, trade, and regional alliances as isolated challenges, the groups approached them as interconnected pieces of a broader strategic framework. Participants left with insightful takeaways:

• AI Crossroads: Innovations, Ethics & Global Governance in a World of Strategic Rivalry – ​Participants discussed the regulation of cross-cutting AI risks, emphasizing the need for standardized safety norms and effective mechanisms to address ethical, security, and misuse concerns. The group considered various approaches, including leveraging existing international forums, establishing a new multi-stakeholder body similar to the IAEA model in the nuclear sector, or pursuing international agreements akin to the Paris Call in climate policy. The overarching goal was to advance AI governance in a way that promotes both international collaboration and innovation.
• Hard Power, New Realities: NATO, Ukraine, and the Future of Collective Western Defense – Participants worked to craft innovative policy recommendations to strengthen transatlantic security, including proposals for a greater transatlantic alignment on addressing security challenges posed by China, an increased leadership role for Europe when working towards a sustainable peace in Ukraine, and innovative financing mechanisms to support European rearmament.
• The New Politics of Trade: Supply Chains, Sovereignty & Global Power Shifts – The working group identified challenges in international trade and economics, focusing on how transatlantic partners could expand their cooperation to address them. Key topics included security risks, externalities related to the rise of non-market economies and practices, as well as the domestic socio-economic impact of trade policy. Participants concluded that further escalation of trade barriers seemed the most likely scenario in the near term. Still, they highlighted the need for deliberate and strategic efforts to ensure free and open trade principles remain a leading objective in the newly evolving trade environment.
• A Strategic Partnership? Evolving the Transatlantic Bond Beyond Nostalgia – The group focused on opportunities to modernize the historic transatlantic alliance to one that appeals to both the historic shared values and today’s transactional interests. The group proposed Germany and the United States establish a bilateral vocational apprenticeship program, a commercial shipbuilding repair and recycling scheme, and an energy resiliency initiative for German investment to support U.S. energy diversification.

By outlining concrete initiatives—complete with implementation strategies, resource planning, and stakeholder engagement—the working groups demonstrated how coordinated action can amplify collective strength, enhance adaptability, and promote leadership across borders.

A very special fireside collaborative session was hosted towards the end of the program to discuss leadership qualities and what it meant to be a leader. Four young leaders of the group shared their personal reflections and experiences with leadership. Having met and seen so many Atlantik Brücke Young Leaders alumni in leadership positions, this discussion took on a whole new meaning as the 2025 program came to a close.

A lasting impact

The conference concluded with reflections on key takeaways and a farewell dinner at Neuhardenberg Airport. The week reinforced the value of embracing diverse perspectives, challenging assumptions, and translating dialogue into actionable initiatives. Participants departed with strengthened transatlantic bonds, renewed commitment to shared democratic values, a new network and friendships, and the belief that leadership is defined not just by the ability to navigate change—but to lead it.

Der Beitrag “Bridging Leadership Across Borders” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

[related]From my perspective, the relationship between Canada under Mark Carney and the USA under Donald Trump was a central focus of many discussions during the 2025 Atlantik-Brücke conference. The conference focused mostly on the zero-sum trade war happening in the recent months. The second panel, per example, began by addressing the economic and trade instability originating from Washington as a complex challenge for the new Carney administration. This new paradigm of trade instability requires a new structure from the ground up, which presents an opportunity to improve Canada’s trade outlook through diversification.

On the bright side, diversifying trade partners requires the removal of internal barriers, which will be positive for Canada in the long run. Furthermore, these unprecedented times call for moving beyond assumed cooperation and instead embracing active multilateralism in trade.

Economic security cannot depend on overreliance on the US, which – even under normal circumstances – may lead to stagnation. Navigating current uncertainties will be complex for the new Prime Minister Carney, particularly due to Canada’s geographic limitations – being surrounded by oceans isolates the country from world markets. Nevertheless, increased mobility and stronger safety nets can create better opportunities and enhance competitiveness in trade.

“Trade conflicts have transformed into a broader struggle for democratic values”

Another important element of this new relationship is the need for democratic stability in the face of rising populism. The fifth panel of the conference examined the outcomes of the elections in Germany and Canada and presented the emerging political landscapes. The first statement focused on Canada, emphasizing that the country was not divided. This bold assertion highlighted aspects of balance rather than numerical outcomes. At this point, no one had questioned the election results, which projected a sense of unity in contrast to the political instability seen in the 2020 US-election. The main idea that emerged out of this entailed that the new government under Carney needs to keep this unity going. A member of the panel speculated that the first year of this new government will be crucial because the honeymoon might end in disaster if the concerns of most Canadians are not meant against the US threats.

In conclusion, the political instability in the relationship between Canada under Mark Carney and the USA under Donald Trump has transformed trade conflicts into a broader struggle for democratic values. Guidance and renewal will be required from the new Prime Minister to address the challenges ahead.

Benjamin Sauvé is currently doing his PhD at McGill University, where he also works as a Course Lecturer, and is a board member of the German Association of Montreal. He took part in the German-Canadian Conference 2025 as part of Atlantik-Brücke’s and Atlantik-Brücke Canada’s Young Atlantiks Cohort.

Der Beitrag „Carney needs to keep this unity going“ erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

On the sidelines of the conference, we interviewed five panelists about the challenges of our time:

• Dr. Norbert Röttgen, MP and Co-Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke
• Prof. Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, and Professor of International Affairs, Georgetown University
• Dr. Fritzi Köhler Geib, Member of the Executive Board, Deutsche Bundesbank
• Sven Weizenegger, Head of Cyber Innovation Hub, German Armed Forces
• Prof. Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies, Department of War Studies, King’s College London

“I’m convinced that the European interest is to uphold the transatlantic alliance” – Norbert Röttgen on global power rebalancing, America’s pivot to Asia and the shift in the dynamic of war and peace.

“I wouldn’t go so far as saying that Cold War 2.0 has already started – but it’s a little bit too close for comfort” – Charles Kupchan on the crisis of Western Democracies and why the war on Ukraine reminds him of WWI. 

“The cost of the tariffs will mainly hit American consumers” – Fritzi Köhler Geib on digital sovereignity, the cost of US tariffs for Europe and how Europe could reap the benefits of its common currency.

“Security agencies need to understand that the internet is a place, just like the street is a place” – Peter Neumann on how to deal with right-wing extremism, the threat of online radicalisation and why we should pay closer attention to Iran.

“We can leverage AI to save soldiers’ lives” – Sven Weizenegger on the role of cyber weapons in modern conflicts and why technology alone cannot tackle disinformation campaigns.

Der Beitrag “We can leverage AI to save soldiers’ lives” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

On the sidelines of the event, we interviewed Armand Zorn about the regulation of AI, European Social Media platforms and the fight against misinformation.

Der Beitrag AI: Consider not only the risks, but also the benefits erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The day began with a private tour of Deutsche Bahn’s ICE Maintenance Facility in Berlin-Rummelsburg, a key operational hub in the company’s high-speed railway system. We explored current transformations in mobility and discussed the future of rail transport in Germany, before heading into the maintenance hall for a unique look at day-to-day operations.

Next, the group visited the economic think tank Dezernat Zukunft – Institute for Macrofinance. Our Young Leader Alumnus Max Krahé, Co-Founder & Research Director, and Florian Schuster-Johnson, Head of the Growth & Budget Lab, introduced us to their innovative work here in Berlin and led a thought-provoking discussion on the future of Germany’s economy.

We concluded the day at Axel Springer SE with insights into the company’s digital strategy and a tour of the BILDnewsroom – still Germany’s largest daily newspaper. The evening culminated in a wonderful dinner and stunning views from the exclusive Journalisten-Club in the heart of city, offering alumni the chance to reconnect and deepen transatlantic ties across industries and generations.

Der Beitrag Young Leaders Alumni Day 2025 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Post election challenges in Canada and Germany

Defense strategy was another topic of particular concern for both countries. The lack of modern and digital weapons represents a potential area of development and cooperation for both Canada and Germany. New and accelerated procurement processes could also better prepare Canada for potential Arctic threats.

Navigating Technology, Media and the new AI era

At least some aspect surrounding the use of AI made its way into most panels at the conference. In a relatively short amount of time we’ve seen specifically Generative AI reshape the way people create and consume news and entertainment. In the eyes of the public, lines are starting to blur between content with a high factual quality and content that is convincing, but lacks any footing in reality. The effects of this are beginning to affect democratic institutions that find themselves undermined by factually inaccurate or false, but highly emotionally engaging, and viral content. The ease with which this is achievable on a global scale also invites adversaries to take up this powerful tool into their arsenal.

Additionally, most digital services currently rely on US-based hyperscalers to provide the compute and storage that powers their business model. This is starting to be seen as a growing concern of sovereignty for both businesses and countries. Models such as “Sovereign Clouds” were mentioned as a way for nations to protect their digital assets and integrity within the confines of their own legal and regulatory systems and prevent a possible overreach of other governments.

A forum for changemakers that allows for space to ask tough questions

If there was ever a year where strengthening the ties and understanding between Canada and Germany has been more important, 2025 was certainly it. The German-Canadian Conference has proven to be a forum where the free exchange of thoughts and ideas can thrive. With an eclectic selection of delegates, drawn from many areas of government, industry and academia, as well as the ten participants of Atlantik-Brücke’s Young Atlantiks program, discussions were lively, dynamic and action‐oriented. For delegates of this year’s exchange – that call to action is at the forefront.

Der Beitrag DKK 2025: “Canada and Germany need closer relations” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Read the paper here: Briefing Paper No 7 – Climate Neutrality and Regional Development

The paper discusses the importance of developing strong and innovative policies to address the climate crisis and to promote a transition toward a new, sustainable economic and social model. It emphasizes that climate policy must be a top political priority. However, it highlights a commonly overlooked issue: the regional impact of climate action. Different regions within countries are affected in varying ways, depending on their industries, economic structures, and social conditions. This regional variation adds complexity to the implementation of climate policies. Germany and Canada serve as key examples, where regional dynamics introduce additional challenges to achieving climate neutrality. At least on the surface, both governments appear to recognize that considering the regional perspective is essential for the success of their climate strategies. This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the regional dimension of climate policy.

What are the key values of the German-Canadian Conference and why is this exchange so important?

Find out more about German-Canadian relations in an exclusive video interview with Michael Hüther:

Der Beitrag „Climate change requires a political response“ erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

We are honored to introduce: 

Kendra Eyben (Canada/Germany) is a Canadian lawyer specializing in international law, democratic resilience, and public safety. As Counsel in the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Section at the Department of Justice Canada, she leads cross-functional investigations pursuing immigration remedies against alleged perpetrators of international crimes and advises on international criminal law issues. Her career spans strategic and operational roles across the Canadian government, including national security litigation and review, legal advising on public safety matters, and the conduct of administrative investigations and decision-making.

Markus Iven (Germany) is a Policy Officer with the German Military Delegation to NATO in Brussels, where he represents Germany in Military Committee working groups. A former military war correspondent, he deployed to Mali and Niger. Markus holds an M.A. in Military Strategic Studies from the Netherlands Defence Academy, for which he received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Thesis Prize of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. In September 2025, he will return full-time to The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies as a defence policy analyst.

Felix Kaechele (Canada/Germany) is a seasoned technologist with a foundation in software engineering. He currently serves as the Technical Lead at Cisco’s Innovation Labs in Toronto, where he supports government and enterprise partners in leveraging cutting-edge technologies — including AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. His work and career spans multiple sectors, with a particular focus on digital health and life sciences. Originally from Leverkusen, Germany, Felix has also lived in San Francisco and New Jersey before settling in Canada in 2019.

The Young Atlantics program is organised in cooperation with Atlantik-Brücke Canada.

Der Beitrag Young Atlantiks: Meet the Class of 2025 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Bringing together a selected group of young Canadian and German participants, the group will convene for five days to exchange and engage on current and future challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition, the delegation will attend the main German-Canadian Conference taking place in Ottawa from May 4-6, 2025. Topics of discussion will include security policy and changing geopolitical realities, energy and the environment, and technology’s impact on politics, the economy, and society.

Format:

• Up to 10 participants (German, Canadian, gender-balanced)
• Delegates will be required to participate in five days of in-person program taking place in Ottawa, Canada. Arrival on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Departure on Thursday, May 8, 2025
• The program entails meetings and discussions with senior decision-makers, academics, and business leaders from various sectors. A cultural and social program is also planned (i.e. visits to museums, site visits, and memorials)
• English will be the primary language used
• Participants are invited to attend the annual German-Canadian Conference

Successful applicants will:

• Be Canadian or German citizens between the ages of 28 and 35 (inclusive as of the date of the program)
• Demonstrate leadership in their professional careers
• Show a strong interest in the German-Canadian partnership and in political, economic, and social issues
• Demonstrate willingness to contribute to the Atlantik-Brücke and Atlantik-Brücke Canada network
• Be from any sector including: business, government, media, military, non-profit, finance, academia, or arts
• Women and gender minorities, as well as people of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to ensure a diversity of perspectives

Aim:

• To foster greater understanding of the German-Canadian relationship among the younger generations and to provide them an opportunity to make lasting transatlantic connections
• To learn first-hand about another country’s society, political institutions, history, and culture
• To create a young German-Canadian alumni network
• To increase future leaders’ presence in the network of Atlantik-Brücke and Atlantik-Brücke Canada

 Costs:

Participants will receive fixed stipends to support flight/travel costs to Ottawa, accommodation, and group meals. Logistical arrangements to/from the conference must be arranged by the individual. Incidentals are the responsibility of the participants.

Dates of Travel:

• Inbound flights to Ottawa, Canada, on Sunday, May 4, 2025; participants may arrive earlier at their own expense
• Outbound flights from Ottawa, Canada, on Thursday, May 8, 2025; participants may extend the trip at their own expense

Applications:

Deadline for applications is Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Start application

• Step 1: Fill in the application form.
• Step 2: Upload your letter of motivation and CV.
• NOTE: All documents must be in English.

Notification:

Successful applicants will be notified by March 31, 2025.

Note: This program is contingent upon funding. The final number of participants will be determined by the level of financial support received for the program.

Contact:

Der Beitrag German-Canadian Young Atlantiks Program 2025 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

After celebrating the Young Leaders Program’s 50th anniversary last year, Atlantik-Brücke was excited to host a full Alumni Day in 2024, designed to strengthen the sense of community and create space for new connections within the network. The day was packed with insightful experiences and discussions, offering a deep dive into the innovative work happening in the Hamburg region.

Our journey began just outside the city at Jungheinrich AG, a key player in the intralogistics sector. Alumni enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of one of their major production facilities in Germany, followed by engaging conversations with board members on topics such as automation, production techniques, sustainable corporate growth, and the evolving global markets.

In the afternoon, the group headed to the Otto Campus in Hamburg to explore the ongoing digital transformation of one of Germany’s iconic brands. Tarek Müller, Co-Founder of AboutYou, and Christian Leybold, Founding Partner at Headline, shared insights into their approaches to digitalization, innovation, and market leadership, sparking lively discussions among the participants.

The day concluded in a wonderful reception at Hapag-Lloyd AG in the heart of Hamburg, where alumni from various generations and sectors seized the opportunity to network. Undoubtedly, the evening’s highlight was a panel featuring three notable alumni – Dr. Edelgard Bulmahn, Dr. Anne-Marie Großmann, and Cihan Sügür – who shared personal stories about their career paths and leadership lessons, setting the stage for continued conversation throughout the evening.

Der Beitrag Deep-Dive into Hamburg’s Innovative Work with Young Leaders Alumni erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

For the 45th edition of Atlantik-Brücke’s flagship program, 18 Americans and 29 Germans from diverse
fields, including government, corporate, startups, and media, came together in Detroit to embrace varied
perspectives, forge new connections across disciplines, industries, and continents, discuss the pressing
issues of our time, and constructively challenge the status quo.

Considering implications of geopolitical shifts for Germany and the US

After an immersive get-together on the arrival day, the first days of the conference focused on developing
and discussing political, economic, and social scenarios for a world in 2029, considering potential
geopolitical shifts and their implications for Germany and the US in particular. Several breakout sessions
provided an in-depth analysis of potential futures for Germany and the US, emphasizing the importance of
strategic foresight in anticipating and navigating complex global challenges. Following this, eminent
leaders from academia, the economy, and state politics provided insights into political and economic trends
in Michigan and the broader Midwest, as well as Michigan’s significance as a swing state in the upcoming
presidential election.

[related] Further discussions centered on developing a transatlantic perspective on pressing political, economic, and social questions that are expected to gain importance in the coming years. Regarding technological disruption, managing AI and balancing innovation with regulation for business, security, and society was identified as a key issue. In discussions on how to strengthen democracy and social cohesion in Germany and the US, the group proposed various tangible measures, such as investing in local and balanced journalism, funding exchange programs, promoting media education, and incentivizing community-building activities or civil service for young people.

Another group focused on exploring Western security strategies against rising authoritarian powers, proposing periodic military-to-military engagements to encourage European and Indo-Pacific military observers to attend US and allied joint military exercises.

“Conversations touched on transatlantic cooperation on clean energy and sustainability”

From a diplomatic perspective, further approaches included encouraging more diplomatic engagement to
support Ukraine and Taiwan across both regions. On the economic front, the discussions advocated for
greater resistance against monopolistic behaviors and corruption. In terms of geo-economic statecraft in
21st-century innovation, key proposals included establishing a US-European semiconductor research
institute, enhancing partnerships with the Global South, such as through infrastructure investments, and
fostering digital cultural youth exchanges. Other deep conversations touched on transatlantic cooperation
on clean energy and sustainability, sharing lessons on migration, and investing for stability and prosperity
in the Global South.

Field trips to Detroit’s inner city

After these two days of intense and thought-provoking discussions, the group embarked on several field
trips to Detroit’s inner city. First-hand insights into the revitalization of Detroit’s urban core, its reinvention
as America’s automotive capital, and its ongoing transformation into a vibrant hub for startups and
technological innovation thoroughly reshaped our perspectives on the city that long stood as a symbol of
the decline of the US industrial heartland.

Another dimension was added with a closer look at Detroit’s cooperation with its Canadian neighbor, the city of Windsor. The diversity of the greater Detroit area and the critical role of its Arab-American communities in the upcoming presidential elections were discussed with the Arab-American mayors of Dearborn and Hamtramck. A visit to the world-renowned Ford Rouge Factory complex marked the beginning of the fifth conference day and provided the group with not only a glimpse into the complex’s century-spanning history but also a close-up observation of modern-day assembly line production.

“UAW president Shawn Fain delivered an impressive report on the association’s work”

As a counterpart and complement, the next appointment led the group to the United Auto Workers labor union, where UAW president Shawn Fain delivered an impressive report on the association’s work and the 2023 strike against the Big Three automakers, which gained national attention and resulted in record concessions for auto workers across America. A guided tour through a revitalized quarter of the city and a dinner hosted by a renowned couple of art collectors concluded the day, leaving the Young Leaders with a lasting impression of Detroit’s hands-on mentality as well as the diversity and richness of African-American art and culture in the city.

An expert panel on Detroit’s and Michigan’s role as a hub for life sciences opened the final day of the
conference, highlighting the importance of transatlantic cooperation, particularly in research. Following
this, two US Air Force generals shared their experiences on sustainability, resilience, and readiness,
providing valuable advice on leadership in an increasingly complex environment. Further expert
discussions on supply chain resilience, the use of AI in fintech, and Detroit’s outstanding role in music
completed three days of immersive field trips and gave us significant final impressions of a city we will
never see in the same light again.

The experience throughout one week of programming, discussions, and immersive activities was nothing
short of transformative. From on-site visits to engaging with local journalists, state senators, investors,
entrepreneurs, and artists, the program offered a deep dive into the remarkable urban renewal of Detroit’s
metropolitan area. The group witnessed firsthand how a courageous investment community, committed
business and policy representatives, fearless community leaders, and inspiring cultural thought leaders
came together to drive a profound transformation of the city’s economic and social ecosystem. At the same
time, we immersed ourselves in the political and societal landscape of a key swing state leading up to the
presidential election in November.

Key takeaway: Embracing diverse perspectives

The key takeaway of the conference was evident to all attendees: Embracing diverse perspectives and
engaging with peers who constructively challenge one’s thinking and offer fresh insights is among the most
rewarding and enriching experiences. As leaders in business ecosystems, societies, and democracies on
both sides of the Atlantic, we can achieve more when we understand each other, adopt each other’s
perspectives, and partner closely. At the heart of it all are shared values, joint ambitions, commitment, and
curiosity to lead through continuous change in an ever-evolving world, rather than just following the pack.
Here’s to the new friendships, broadened perspectives, and shared commitment to shaping a brighter future!

Der Beitrag Young Leaders Conference 2024: “Why follow when you can lead?” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Der Beitrag What the Young Leaders have to say! erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

May 11- 15, 2024

The Young Atlantiks Program, organized with the support of the Embassy of Canada to Germany, the Embassy of Germany to Canada, Atlantik-Brücke Canada and Atlantik-Brücke e.V., seeks to cultivate the next generation of young leaders to foster the German-Canadian transatlantic partnership. From May 11-15, 2024, ten young Canadian and German professionals, with diverse backgrounds and expertise, met to discuss current and future transatlantic challenges and to attend the 37^th German-Canadian Conference in Berlin. The program’s goals include deepening the understanding of Canadian and German politics and culture, fostering connections between the two countries, and enhancing future leaders’ involvement in transatlantic networks.

During the five-day program, the Young Atlantiks engaged in dialogues with a variety of transatlantic actors to discuss key issues on the international policy agenda, including climate change, defence and security cooperation, as well as digitalization and artificial intelligence. These sessions were complemented by a well-curated cultural and historical program, which took the Young Atlantiks to museums in addition to civil society and art initiatives. The participants took the opportunity to learn not only from speakers but also from one another on a peer-to-peer level, sharing different perspectives and experiences from various fields. All discussions were held under the Chatham House Rules. Outlined below, are three key takeaways from the Young Atlantiks’ discussions in Berlin: the uncertainty of geopolitical changes in the upcoming super-election year, the benefits of generational collaboration across transatlantic allies, and the need to implement concrete joint projects to enhance the Canada-Germany bilateral relationship.

 Super-election Year: Uncertainty in a Geopolitical Polycrisis

A shared underlying theme in most discussions during the Young Atlantiks Program was the looming uncertainty of geopolitical change with upcoming elections in many countries, including the European Union (“EU”), Mexico, India, and, most notably, the United States (“US”) this fall. The US policy under a possible second Trump administration would greatly impact many policy areas discussed, including environmental, foreign, and trade policy. The consequences for the transatlantic relationship of new and re-emerging aggression from China and Russia, respectively, were also discussed. Finally, while climate change was a set agenda item for multiple sessions, it frequently featured in many others as well. As one of the conference speakers captured, “climate change is an ‘everything’ issue,” with intersectional impacts across all sectors. While Germany and Canada share generally similar approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, additional emphasis was placed on the countries acting together in supporting the world’s transition to net-zero, including Global South actors. The group learned about possible impacts of the EU election on the European Green Deal as well as ongoing debates in the Canadian context, which has a resource-based economy. Many speakers shared how domestic policy areas, such as inflation, employment, and immigration, link to the current geopolitical situation, highlighting the complexities foreign policy needs to consider.

Fostering Collaboration Across Generations, the Atlantic and Beyond

[related] When discussing the geopolitical challenges during the super-election year, most speakers stressed the importance of fostering collaborations between Germany and Canada across generations. While of particular importance in this context, building these relationships would serve both countries well regardless of election outcomes. Many guests during the Young Atlantiks program showed their appreciation for bringing together the next generation of transatlantic leaders and were  seeking the Young Atlantiks’ input as much as the Young Atlantiks sought theirs. Speakers collectively stressed a focus on being more agile, increasing collaboration, engaging other young people, and emphasizing what unites Germany, Canada, and other partners, rather than what divides them. To strengthen collaborations and partnerships, it is crucial to engage with the different cultures and populations of Germany and Canada, as well as to seek and maintain conversations with those who are not necessarily like-minded to find common ground and build trust. In a constantly changing world, the forces of government, industry, and civil society need to pull together in order to secure peace and prosperity for and with future generations. This can only be achieved through cooperation and collaboration.

Moving Beyond Rhetoric: Building a Concrete and Reliable Transatlantic Partnership

The Young Atlantiks Program highlighted that bilateral relations are currently at an all-time high, reflecting a strong and vibrant partnership. It is, however, imperative that this positive diplomatic climate is translated into concrete actions and initiatives. Instead of simply acknowledging the success of current bilateral relations, decisive steps need to be taken to initiate specific projects, advance particular issues, and ensure these relationships can weather the coming potential geopolitical instability. A prominent example is the trade agreement with Canada, which Germany has ratified, but other EU member states, such as France, have not yet. This situation highlights a critical challenge: if universal ratification of a trade agreement with a close and like-minded partner like Canada cannot be achieved, with whom can the EU successfully negotiate such agreements? While the United States will naturally remain Canada’s most important partner, the EU and Germany must elevate their commitments and take the Canadian relationship more seriously. Given the growing notion of isolationism in the US political debate, this would benefit both Canada and Germany. Strengthening the transatlantic relationship involves not only economic and trade matters but also addressing broader geopolitical, security, and environmental challenges together. By moving beyond rhetoric and focusing on tangible outcomes, the Canada-Germany relationship can be strengthened, contributing to a more resilient and prosperous future for both countries and partners.

Der Beitrag 2024 Young Atlantiks Program Report erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

After opening remarks by Sigmar Gabriel, Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke, Senator Christopher Murphy (D-CT) delivered a speech and later engaged in a discussion with Mr. Gabriel. They discussed transatlantic friendship and the role of China. The U.S. is investing very fast in technologies to stop climate change, Murphy said. “For our friends in Germany, the IRA probably came too fast and took them by surprise.”

After the presentation of the Transatlantic Trust Survey (provided by Edelman and Allianz), which showed that mutual trust between Germany and America is declining (click here to read the survey) , Steven Sokol, CEO of the American Council on Germany, moderated a panel with Ines Pohl, Deutsche Welle, Majid Sattar, FAZ, and Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy, about the world in times of global elections. Ms. Pohl talked about her experience as a reporter and how she is appalled by the number of people who believe in fake news. “Lies in the media are the biggest threat to democracy in the U.S.,” she said.

The panel also agreed that foreign policy is a more important issue in this year’s election. “Economic factors are not decisive in the next election,” said Mr. Sattar. The U.S. economy is doing quite well, and by complaining about the economy, voters are just hiding their real motives for voting for Trump, the speakers stressed. These motives are anger, rage, and racism. “In this year’s election the Muslim population could be decisive,” Ms. Pohl added.

On day two, after a warm welcome from John B. Emerson, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and now Chairman of the American Council on Germany, Julia Ioffe, Puck Media, Matt Gorman, Targeted Victory, and Jamieson Greer, King & Spalding, discussed with ZEIT-Reporter Kerstin Kohlenberg the political polarization in the US and their influence on the elections.

The panel with Phyllis Berry, National Intelligence Officer for Europe, Christian Gaebel, German Farmers’ Association, and Julian Müller-Kaler, Stimson Center, and Dr. Andrew Moravcsik, Princeton University, discussed what’s to watch in this year’s European elections and the state elections in three Eastern German states. The vivid discussion was moderated by Claudia Kade, Die Welt.

Andreas Dombret, Oliver Wyman, Claudia Donzelmann, Allianz SE, Dr. Christof Ehrhart, Robert Bosch GmbH, and Dr. Inu Manak, Council on Foreign Relations, discussed global economic (in)Stability. The panel was moderated by Friederike von Tiesenhausen, Bloomberg LP.

Another topic at the German-American Conference was the divide over the Middle East. Julia Friedlander, CEO of Atlantik-Brücke, discussed with Bradley Bowman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Norbert Röttgen, Member of the Bundestag (CDU), and Charles Kupchan, Council on Foreign Relations, the societal divide on support for Israel and the Gaza conflict.

Public Perceptions of the war in Ukraine were discussed with Evelyn Farkas, McCain Institute, Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the US, Deborah Düring, Member of the Bundestag (Green Party) and Terrell Jermaine Starr, founder and host of Black Diplomats.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s German-American Conference. See you there!

Der Beitrag The New Realities of Democracy erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Der Beitrag Stoltenberg: „Democracies are stronger than autocracies” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

by Ryan Millerick and Hubertus Riedesel Freiherr zu Eisenbach

What matters

Over the course of the week, we had the opportunity to hear from a plethora of diverse, high-level leaders across many disciplines. The list of esteemed guest speakers even included three Ministers/Ministers of State from the current government. In addition, we spent two days at the epicenter of German power and politics in Berlin with various onsite visits.

[related]Already on the first evening, the group had the pleasure of welcoming Minister Klara Geywitz. She not only shared remarks on urban development and participated in a discussion on what the US and Germany can learn from each other, but also took time to connect with us Young Leaders over dinner. This set the stage for the intensely packed and high-caliber days to follow.

Throughout the week we engaged in deep conversations with experts on critical current topics. Colonel Jill Long shared her perspective on leadership through her experience in the US Air Force. Prof. Dr. Andreas Dombret, former member of the Board of the German Bundesbank, shared his thoughts on the “Three I’s: Invasion, Inflation and Interest rates”, sparking vivid conversations on global economic structures. Dr. Mareike Ohlberg offered her insights and expertise on China strategies, highlighting the need for transatlantic cooperation. A further session focused on Germany’s “Zeitenwende” and the state of the German military with Colonel Frank Reiser and LTC Sebastian Bley from the German Army Headquarters. It was a pleasure to discuss matters of transatlantic and international security in such an open and trusting atmosphere. Another dialogue on voter identity was led by journalist Martin Klingst, who has spent extended time interviewing Trump voters in the US and AfD voters in Germany.

The first of two day trips to Berlin began with a visit to the AI Campus of Merantix in Berlin, where we learned about visionary startup ideas who are leveraging the potential of AI. Later, at the Federal Chancellery, we had a thorough discussion with Minister Wolfgang Schmidt, who shared intimate insights on his day-to-day work in German politics, as well as his view on current transatlantic and global challenges. As if this wasn’t enough, we also got to visit the ARD Capital Studio and met with Tina Hassel, who provided her own perspective on some of the topics we addressed in the Chancellery. What a great way to compare notes, contrast perspectives on current issues and see the media at work.

The second day in Berlin began directly in the seat of German democracy at the Bundestag. Minister of State in the Federal Foreign Office Dr. Tobias Lindner, a Young Leader himself, engaged in a lively discourse with us about both the transatlantic partnership as well as Germany’s role on the world stage. Our cohort’s Members of Parliament then led us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bundestag, sharing their own stories and offering insights into their daily work. The day was capped off back in the private sector, as Google opened their doors for us and provided an insightful panel on AI and Machine Learning, featuring Eveline Metzen, Michael Neuber and Slav Petrov. What a week!

What really matters

In addition to the thought-provoking sessions with the guest speakers, we split up into working groups ourselves, in order to explore creative solutions to tackle several pressing issues. The following four topics were intensively discussed and worked on, culminating in short policy suggestions which can be found in separate documents:

• Transatlantic Cooperation on AI: Balancing Innovation and Regulation for Business, Security and Civil Society
• Aligning Transatlantic Strategies on China
• Achieving Net Zero: Leveraging Opportunities for Transatlantic Climate Change Solutions
• Navigating the Transatlantic Trade Landscape: Overcoming State Subsidization and Market Challenges for Sustainable Economic Growth

Through extended discussions on these critical topics, we enjoyed immensely hearing the different perspectives around the table that come with the diverse backgrounds of our fellow Young Leaders. Learning from each other in the working groups was an enriching aspect of the week.

What matters most

Aside from the official part of the program, a unanimous highlight of the conference was simply getting to know each other and ultimately forming what will become deep and fruitful friendships, beyond a professional network. We certainly made use of the evenings, with or without the occasional glass of wine, exchanged stories, compared notes on the day and the speakers, enjoyed each other’s company and had a laugh. This personal connection is what building transatlantic relationships is all about.

Lucky for us, we not only got to know each other in our cohort, but we also coincidentally got to know many Young Leaders alumni who joined the 50^th program anniversary celebrations on the second to last day. As part of the evening’s official agenda, Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther offered opening remarks on the last fifty years of the transatlantic relationship, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Joachim Freiherr von Falkenhausen, Christiane Hoffmann, Sarah Kelly, and Theo Koll, moderated by Atlantik-Brücke CEO Julia Friedlander. The evening was filled with many inspiring conversations across the Young Leaders cohorts, which instilled an immediate sense of community on us. What an honor to be welcomed into such an open-minded network.

We whole-heartedly thank the Atlantik-Brücke team and the selection committee for what will prove to be a life-changing week for us.

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Der Beitrag Engaging in conversations, exploring solutions, forming friendships erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

The German-Canadian Conference 2023, held in Ottawa, Canada from June 4-5, brought together 60 high-level participants from both countries – including State Secretary Susanne Baumann from the Federal Foreign Office and Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The delegation discussed current issues in four thematic blocks: energy and the environment; innovation and artificial intelligence; industrial policy and supply chains; and defense, security and procurement.

The evening receptions hosted by Global Affairs Canada and at the Residency of the German Ambassador to Canada, Sabine Sparwasser, allowed participants to expand the dialogue on the German-Canadian partnership and shared challenges and goals together with the speakers and other guests.

Unpacking Canada-Germany Resource Security – Working together for a low carbon future

The conference’s first session dealt with the conditions required to create a Canada-Germany green hydrogen partnership and de-risking low-carbon project planning. The panel reflected on the newly released expert report commissioned by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Atlantik-Brücke Canada, which offered the following recommendations to support the advancement of a stronger partnership and achieve the energy transition: (1) prioritize critical minerals and green hydrogen; (2) increase infrastructure investments; (3) work together on regulations and standards; (4) develop a strategic plan for the partnership; and (5) conduct pilot projects to demonstrate the viability of green hydrogen to boost private investment.

[related]The panel emphasized the need for both vision and action to realize our net-zero commitments. While in Canada recently announced investment tax credits were welcomed, the conversation highlighted how the regulatory environment is not ready to enable the growth of Canada’s clean economy at speed and scale. The inadequacy of regulatory frameworks creates uncertainty, exacerbates risks, and hinders renewable energy and green hydrogen projects.

This issue points to a broader theme that permeated the conversation, which is the important role governments must play in creating policy stability and predictability.

Energy and Environment – Squaring the “energy trilemma”

The session focused on addressing the “energy trilemma”: securing long-term economic growth, achieving progress toward net-zero emissions, and ensuring energy security—all at the same time. Throughout the discussion, the trilemma was extended to a “quadrilemma,” adding Indigenous partnership and reconciliation as a critical, and equal, priority, as well as a potential competitive advantage if done right. The session concluded by proposing a comprehensive action plan (“The 5 Cs”) to solve the quadrilemma: (1) international collaboration between like-minded countries; (2) concentration of the supply chain (building out complete supply chains to improve resilience); (3) building community confidence through ongoing engagement and partnership with Indigenous Peoples; (4) building competitiveness through strategic government interventions; and (5) using smart climate policies to reduce carbon emissions.

Given the budding hydrogen partnership between Canada and Germany, much of the discussion was centered on the role of hydrogen as a solution. It was acknowledged that hydrogen still faces significant challenges which threaten its viability as a critical low-carbon energy source. There are still too few buyers of clean hydrogen, and the technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen has yet to be proven at scale—resulting in an illiquid market, especially when compared to electricity. Additionally, technological challenges in both the use and distribution of hydrogen, especially in shipping, were raised. Put together, these factors underscore the need for de-risking, especially in the initial phase of hydrogen projects, which can be achieved through government support.

A spirit of embracing innovation and adaptability was deemed necessary to tackle the many obstacles ahead as we soldier on into a low-carbon future.

Innovation and Artificial Intelligence – Time for a “pause”?

This session explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors and underscored the importance of responsible and ethical deployment. The session was augmented by a paper authored by Dominic Martin, Professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, who joined the discussions. AI was recognized as a pivotal force driving transformation across industries, enabling accelerated innovation and problem-solving. Discussants emphasized that AI can streamline decision-making processes and enhance efficiency across sectors, presenting opportunities for growth and improvement.

While recognizing the need for continued research, attendees discussed the significance of establishing guidelines and red lines that outline what AI should not do. By setting ethical boundaries, AI can be harnessed for the benefit of society while mitigating potential risks and ensuring accountability. One of the challenges that arose in the discussion was the alignment of human will with the actions of the machine, underscoring the complexity of integrating AI into societal norms and expectations.

Participants discussed the growing trend of technological nationalism and emphasized the necessity for international collaboration. Recognizing the global nature of AI’s impact, they advocated for the development of international regulations and standards. Collaborative efforts among nations can facilitate the sharing of best practices, harmonize ethical guidelines, and address common challenges such as bias, accountability, and the rapid pace of AI’s advancements. We should not over or underexaggerate the threat of autonomous AI, but think through the necessary guardrails in research and innovation, similar to those that exist with cloning, that can ensure we harness its benefits.

Discussion on State-to-State Diplomacy

Over lunch, participants debated State-to-State Diplomacy in the context of the current state of German-Canadian relations, as well as the current state of affairs in a global context.

One important distinction was made on the panel: it is not only a changing world, it is a changed world. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the international stage has changed fundamentally. The conflict has changed the scene and it is unclear how we counter the imperialistic attack. Furthermore, threats like misinformation and disinformation are a big challenge and they got bigger in the last year. Climate change and all the challenges coming with it are very real. Mass migrations, not only between countries but also inside countries are happening more and more.

It remains important as ever to talk with each other and to listen to everyone, to keep friends close by and fostering good connections especially with like-minded partners is active de-risking. Cooperation with like-minded partners needs to be intensified. Whether it is on infrastructure, resources or cooperation on the international stage like the UN: to be active on all these fronts is important.

Industrial Policy and Supply Chains – The promises and pitfalls of a rapid pivot away from three decades of economic liberalism

The challenges and opportunities of state industrial policy and supply chain strategy were reviewed by some of the two country’s most senior officials. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the fragility of neglected or undervalued supply chain strategies, with many critical materials heavily relying on only a few countries, creating a ripple effect.

The passage of the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act and the recent investment by Volkswagen in Canada to establish an electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility were discussed as two examples of an increasing trend by governments to play a role in the promotion of a state’s industrial policy, particularly with respect to the transition to green energy.

Panelists acknowledged that the bureaucratic wheel often turns slowly when it comes to approving projects and spurring innovation, but that there was widespread need to future-proof domestic industries, while still delivering the benefits of open, global trading economies. Furthermore, there is still a strong argument for globalization and open trading, but perhaps less with a frame of mind of trading with friends – rather we trade with interests in mind. Countries like Canada and Germany don’t need to have every component for every industry, but we should play some role in critical supply chains.

Defense, Security and Procurement – Honoring commitments to transatlantic security

In the day’s final session, there was universal agreement that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brought clarity on our shared main challenge ahead: provide a credible deterrence against Russia. In order to reach this goal, widespread reforms are necessary. First, it was emphasized that Germany needs to demonstrate its seriousness about its commitment to a Zeitenwende. Committing more funds for defense projects would not be enough if they did not go hand in hand with providing political leadership, procurement reform, and with an industrial policy providing defense companies with long-term security that their products will be sold.

There was overall agreement that both Canada and Europe cannot operate without US-American leadership. The session highlighted the urgent need for reform within defense procurement in Canada and Germany alike. One panelist remarked that the aim should be to buy off the shelf wherever possible and evolve more of a venture-capital understanding to procurement. It was also stressed that European nations should enhance co-operation on large defense projects.

Young Atlantiks 2023

On the occasion of the German-Canadian Conference, ten young professionals from Canada and Germany met in Ottawa as part of the Young Atlantiks Program. The program offers a small group of young Canadians and Germans the opportunity to exchange and engage on current and future challenges on both sides of the Atlantic and create lasting transatlantic connections. Over a period of six days, the Young Atlantiks exchanged ideas with representatives from politics, science and society and laid the foundation for the next generation of the transatlantic German-Canadian partnership. Highlights of this year’s program included meetings with Germany’s Ambassador to Canada, Sabine Sparwasser and Isabelle Poupart, Chargée d’affaires a.i. of Canada to Germany, working lunches with the Hon. Greg Fergus, MP, and the Hon. Ratna Omidvar, Independent Senator for Ontario, a speed mentoring session with Atlantik-Brücke affiliates and a fireside chat with the Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada.

The initiative is funded by the Canadian Embassy in Germany and the German Embassy in Canada and jointly realized by Atlantik-Brücke and Atlantik-Brücke Canada. Established in 2019, the program is now in its third year.

Der Beitrag An Abundance of Shared Challenges and Goals erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

At this critical juncture, the American Council on Germany and Atlantik-Brücke convened their annual transatlantic conference in Washington, D.C. to explore the recent economic impacts to the transatlantic partnership – and worldwide.

[related]Ambassador John B. Emerson, Chairman of the American Council on Germany, and Sigmar Gabriel, Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke, opened the conference by welcoming everyone back to Washington, D.C. since the last German-American Conference in the United States in 2018. Noting how much has changed since then – changes in government on both sides of the Atlantic, the COVID pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and so much more – both stressed the importance of face-to-face meetings to exchange views on shared issues. The war in Ukraine has made clear that the post-Cold War era is over, and the relative peace enjoyed by Germany has ended. In this context, the German-American partnership has regained relevance. “Germany and Europe must take on more responsibility, but a more sovereign Europe should mean more cooperation with the United States to provide greater burden-sharing,” said Mr. Gabriel. Ambassador Emerson added that strong economies are critical domestically and for foreign policy, stressing that economic stability is key to ensuring the health of our respective democracies.

Germany and Europe must take on more responsibility, but a more sovereign Europe should mean more cooperation with the United States to provide greater burden-sharing.[quoter]Sigmar Gabriel[/quoter]

In a conversation moderated by Ines Pohl, Washington Bureau Chief for Deutsche Welle, entitled “Setting the Stage: Geopolitics and the Global Economy,” Jacqueline Ramos, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Dr. Norbert Röttgen, Member of the Bundestag (CDU), highlighted a range of issues confronting Germany and the United States. In the near term, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the rise of autocratic governments around the world must be a top priority – we must endure and stay together to effectively confront these challenges. Dr. Röttgen noted that the clock is ticking for Europe and stressed that Germany must show “leadership reliability” to strengthen its ability to act, not against the United States, but in cooperation as partners. Both speakers identified China as the long-term challenge, suggesting that Beijing’s ambitions are of a much larger order of magnitude than Moscow’s – President Xi wants to change the global order while Putin just wants to alter the post-Cold War European security order. China poses threats to Germany and the United States economically and in terms of security. IP theft, economic practices, and supply chain dependencies all are detrimental to Western economies and both countries are taking steps to address these issues.

Dr. Röttgen suggested German policy is changing slowly but cannot happen overnight. German industry argues that the Chinese market is so big that they cannot afford not to be there. However, changing course long-term is critical otherwise a Taiwan conflict will have a similar shock effect on the German economy as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Germany and the United States have differing approaches to China, Ms. Ramos explained that concerted efforts are being made to build resiliency together. For example, soon after Chancellor Scholz spoke with President Biden, the German government announced new measures on 5G policy to address security concerns in telecommunications infrastructure. Overall, effective Chinese deterrence can be achieved by Germany, Europe, and the U.S. sending the clear message that Xi should not underestimate the unity of the West and should not repeat the mistakes of Putin. Unfortunately, said Dr. Röttgen, our mutual goals of peace, prosperity, and the protection of our planet are impeded by geopolitical struggles, such as that with China, but efforts must nonetheless continue to seek collaboration wherever possible.

To open the second day of the conference, German Ambassador to the United States Dr. Emily Haber shared her perspectives on the transatlantic relationship over the course of the last five years during her tenure as an ambassador, with its many ups and downs. In terms of what has not changed, Germany and Europe remain dependent on the U.S. for security, and there is no issue where the U.S. doesn’t matter or have influence on Germany. Additionally, there is an incredibly stable infrastructure of relationships in science and research, in the military, and between businesses which helps make the partnership relatively resistant to politics. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, was “a massive earthquake with tectonic aftershocks” which has ended the post-Cold War era, and the new one we have entered has not yet come into focus. In Germany, she explained there is a fear for the future world our children will live in, and long-held beliefs that peace was a constant in Europe, maintained by economic interdependency, have been shattered in a matter of months. Despite this massive shift, the war has fueled a renewed sense of Atlanticism, and German complacency of burden-sharing has been replaced by a recognition that the moral overtones which have driven German policy since the 1960s must now be based in greater realism. The challenge for Germany and Europe is to find a balance between Europeanism and Atlanticism now in which they are complementary to one another characterized by a shared rules-based order and pragmatic values to build coalitions against aggression. Following her remarks, Ambassador Emerson led a conversation with Ambassador Haber.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a massive earthquake with tectonic aftershocks.[quoter]Dr. Emily Haber[/quoter]

In a conversation entitled “Creating a Foreign Policy for the Middle Class,” Elizabeth Baltzan, Senior Advisor for the United States Trade Representative, and Sigmar Gabriel explored what exactly a foreign policy for the middle class means and how it impacts the transatlantic alliance. Ms. Baltzan explained that the root of this policy goes back to the Atlantic Charter in 1941, which states “a desire to bring about the fullest collaboration between all nations in the economic field with the object of securing, for all, improved labor standards, economic advancement, and social security.” In other words, international trade policy, a part of foreign policy, should provide economic security for working people. And going a step further, if you don’t provide economic security for working people, then you risk democracy. Citing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s recent speech at the Brookings Institution on the Biden Administration’s international economic agenda, Ms. Baltzan noted that many U.S. initiatives, including the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to strengthen the U.S. economy to confront Chinese trade practices and domestic economic policies. Noting the criticism of the IRA in Europe, she urged people to understand the importance of the bill in creating U.S. jobs and in meeting the Paris climate commitments, elements that end up benefiting the EU-US alliance. Overall, both agreed that each side shares common goals, despite some disagreements, and that collaborative efforts to create multiple modes of production are needed to reduce dependencies and increase resiliency in global supply chains.

The Atlantic Charter states a desire to bring about the fullest collaboration between all nations in the economic field with the object of securing, for all, improved labor standards, economic advancement, and social security.[quoter]Elizabeth Baltzan[/quoter]

In a spirited discussion moderated by Julia Friedlander, CEO of Atlantik-Brücke, Dr. Emily Blanchard, Chief Economist for the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment at the U.S. Department of State, and Dr. Philipp Steinberg, Director General for Economic Stabilization and Energy Security at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, examined the challenge of ensuring economic security while also promoting value-based trade goals and how governments and private sector can work together to provide both. The war in Ukraine posed significant immediate risks to economic security in Germany. Still, the crisis has served as a catalyst for structural change with accelerated reforms of laws and administrative procedures that are boosting Germany’s efforts to achieve climate goals while alleviating the immediate energy crisis. Dr. Blanchard explained that Putin’s invasion has sharpened the focus on the global economy and how the dependencies impact almost everything in our daily lives. Governments have a vital role to play in moderating where the market doesn’t get it right. Both speakers concurred that problems won’t get solved alone, and the government must give tools and incentives to help the private sector contribute to solutions. In terms of values-based trade, there will always be conflict with pure economic interests and needs which may at times, be a priority and more dominant. However, transparency and space for consumers, together with pragmatic standards from governments regarding fundamental worker rights or environmental standards, to influence companies’ values can be more effective than a fixed set of rules or trying to impose values on other countries.

The various crises of the last three years have had a significant impact on globalization and economic competitiveness which was analyzed by Heidi Crebo-Rediker, General Partner at America’s Frontier Fund, and Steffen Kampeter, CEO of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), in conversation with Luiza Savage, Executive Editor of Growth at Politico. Noting that there has been a Zeitenwende in defense and security policy, Mr. Kampeter stressed the need for such a transition in economic and social affairs as well in Germany and at the EU level. Taxation, specifically payroll taxes, remains too high, and bureaucratic red tape on a range of issues remains much too complicated. The political debate in Europe criticizing the Investment Reduction Act really isn’t an economic debate, he said, because “governments cannot subsidize competitiveness.” Ms. Crebo-Rediker explained the conversation about IRA fairness issues really must be seen instead in the context of the climate change imperative. The Biden Administration has laid out a much more structured approach to address and identify challenges to economic competitiveness such as supply chain vulnerabilities. Turning to the auto industry’s shift to EV, both agreed that the EU and U.S. have a clear mutual interest in collaborating to confront the Chinese auto industry’s explosive growth. However, Mr. Kampeter stressed the issue isn’t the ability of the auto industry to produce more EVs, but rather the more complex infrastructure which is required, including batteries, the electrical grid, and storage capacity, which is lacking in both Germany and the United States. Ms. Crebo-Rediker suggested that a much greater focus on capital markets is needed in this regard because it is impossible to out-subsidize the Chinese. Another challenge to economic competitiveness is workforces – both in terms of quantity and quality. There is a lack of skilled workers both for current and future jobs and there are estimates that 50 percent of current workers will need retraining and upskilling to support the advanced manufacturing industry. A greater effort is required to maintain a robust social compact to mobilize labor forces and to avoid the conflict and recent unrest seen in France.

How business and governments can collaborate to support shared visions and common goals was at the core of a conversation with Elissa Alben, Vice President and Head of Global Trade Policy and International Government Relations at Pfizer; Jan Neutze, Vice President of EU Government Affairs at Illumina; and Hartfrid Wolff, Communications Department Head at the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport, which was moderated by Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President and CEO, American Council on Germany. Ms. Alben stressed how Pfizer’s core values and purpose drive what the company does, citing the company’s long-term commitment to providing better access which would not get the attention it deserves if not included in the value statement. In the case of COVID, the vision helped support the common cause of developing a vaccine together with public support. Mr. Neutze strongly argued that companies could promote welfare while striving to make a profit and that governments can play a role in this. The human genome project was originally government funded and created an entirely new sector in our economy. Numerous companies now utilize the DNA sequencing from that project for a range of biotech products, including the COVID vaccine, which saves lives but also creates jobs and profit for the companies. In many fields, but especially in biotech, governments can play a critical role in establishing data frameworks that enable innovation and ensure privacy. Digitalization and remote monitoring, supply chains, and digital therapeutics all are data-driven. Mr. Wolff concurred stating that government can provide tools to the private sector while also making the case to the public why these tools are essential. The key is to be transparent and make things tangible in people’s daily lives – show there is value to them and how they will benefit. All agreed that “government must make solutions possible and not create ways to control it” because companies want to be innovative and have the potential to improve people’s lives dramatically.

At the moment, the European Union and the United States are more aligned in terms of climate policy and goals to confront climate change than they have been in many years. However, the approaches are not always identical, and the sustainability costs in terms of finances and implementation of new technologies remain challenging to achieve this needed transformation. Dr. Monika Griefahn, Chair of the Board at eFuel Alliance, Oliver Hill, Chief Representative and Head of Corporate Development at VNG AG, and Emily Kreps, Managing Director and Head of ESG at Deutsche Bank, provided an overview of some of the climate and business strategies being pursued in a discussion moderated by Samantha Gross, Director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative and a Fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution. Mr. Hill described how VNG has had to immediately find alternative sources for the one-third of the natural gas the company received from Russia and now is acquiring and building biogas plants, researching hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas, and utilizing carbon capture and storage technologies. Dr. Griefahn explained the benefit of efuels which are produced with the help of electricity from renewable energy sources, water, and CO2 from the air and do not release additional CO2. However, efuels in some cases, require more energy, even if from renewables, to produce. Most important when trying to meet climate targets is not to put all your eggs in one basket. This transformation must happen quickly, and there is no time to wait for a magic silver bullet. Ms. Kreps explained that Deutsche Bank has sustainable finance goals to help clients with the capital they need for long-term goals. Even oil and gas receive financing, but only if there is a transition plan based on climate science. Recognizing the huge investment needed to meet climate goals, estimated as high as $2.5 trillion, governments need to make the case for climate projects in the context of other topics and priorities such as workforce development, education, and job creation.

In the final session of the conference, Dr. John Lipsky, Peter G. Peterson Distinguished Scholar at the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs and a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Ludovic Subran, Chief Economist at Allianz SE, Friederike von Tiesenhausen, Global Head of Public Affairs at Bloomberg, together with moderator Sara Schonhardt, International Climate Reporter at E&E News, discussed the need for a new global economic policy for the transatlantic community after the turbulence of the last few years. Dr. Lipsky highlighted how treaty-based multilateral institutions like the IMF and WTO are not effectively addressing issues because of decisions by G20 leaders to create their own policies based on each crisis. The effect has been much less unanimity, like what had existed during the financial crisis, and more calls for reforms to the institutions. Reforms, however, have been difficult because advanced economies have diverging views from the recipients of aid on what the reform agenda should look like. Ms. von Tiesenhausen added that there is a desire to find the right transmission tool, but it has been difficult to get information on whether aid projects are sustainable, and the private sector has been more domestic focused and not interested in new foreign projects. Mr. Subran suggested that there is a disconnect between the political elite that sees the need for global aid and publics which focus more on domestic issues. All agreed that emerging economies were hit hard by the Covid pandemic, higher food and energy prices, and the impact of climate change, so there is pressure to find a solution, and many are suffering from debt distress, compounded by a drying up of Chinese lending. There were diverging views on what should be done to aid the Global South with Dr. Lipsky suggesting the best strategy to help emerging economies is for the advanced economies to avoid an economic downturn. Ms. von Tiesenhausen felt that regional development banks could play a larger role. All agreed on the need to reduce inflation to lower interest rates so that it is easier to service public debt.

Together, the transatlantic alliance needs to raise the economic floor for our citizens which in turn builds support for our international allies and the global economy.[quoter]Senator Chris Murphy[/quoter]

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, concluded the conference with a keynote highlighting the necessity for a strong alliance between Germany and the United States. There are many reasons why our countries need to reduce friction between us, including unity against rising autocracies, an existential war in Ukraine to maintain the norms we believe should guide our societies for the next 70 years, and the rise of China. On all these issues and more, coordination of our policies, even if not always identical, is to the benefit of our communal interests. Senator Murphy stressed that the best foreign policy is an America with a strong democracy at home with values that can be promoted abroad. And regarding economic policy, each side of the Atlantic took things for granted and failed to recognize that the global economy we jointly promoted didn’t benefit average citizens enough. Together, the transatlantic alliance needs to “raise the economic floor for our citizens” which in turn builds support for our international allies and the global economy.

The 2023 German-American Conference was generously supported by Allianz and Deutsche Bank.

Der Beitrag Global Economic Disruptions and Transatlantic Alliances erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

A major land war is being waged in Europe. Against this backdrop, nearly 50 up-and-coming decision makers convened outside Atlanta, Georgia, to engage in dialogue about the transatlantic alliance in times of crisis, to deepen understanding, and strengthen ties between the rising generation of Germans and Americans.

As Albert Einstein said in 1955, “The important thing is to not stop questioning.” Indeed, questions defined the Atlantik-Brücke’s 2022 Young Leaders Conference — tough questions, searching questions, light-hearted questions, two-in-one questions, and follow-up questions. And the conference provided the ideal platform to ask these questions and engage in lively debate, both amongst the participants and also to panelists and guest speakers.

There were questions about environmental sustainability, about consumer health and supply chain resilience.

Young Leaders also posed questions to one another. These ranged from the factors necessary to start a business to the forces kindling extremism in the military and law enforcement, from the manifold definitions of diversity to the meaning of victory in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Some questions were more light-hearted: Does it rain every day in Georgia? Who can drive this golf cart faster?

We arrived at some answers. No one left Foxhall Resort without knowing that lithium is an important component of EV batteries. The problems of polarization and distrust — whether in Germany or the United States, in politics or business — ran through the crises that occupied our discussions. It does seem to rain every day in Georgia, at least in August.

But these conclusions were preliminary, at best. Most of all, the conference afforded us the opportunity to step out of the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives and to consider how new, enlarged perspectives might offer solutions to some of society’s most vexing problems.

WORKING GROUPS

Some of these problems were addressed by the conference’s four working groups.

These working groups were: lessons learned from Covid-19, supply chain resiliency, diversity, equity, and inclusion and the implications of the war in Ukraine on energy security.

1. Lessons learned from Covid-19: future direction for public policy, investment opportunities, and digital transformation

The working group identified numerous problems exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, including the fragmentation of funding for scientific innovation and failed communication. One possible solution would be the creation of a transatlantic entity tentatively named the North Atlantic Science Organization. It would be governed by a transatlantic executive board and help ensure equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics. Questions posed to the working group included whether such a body might not better be instituted within an existing organization, such as NATO or the WHO.

2. Future-proofing supply chains: balancing prosperity and social responsibility

The working group used EV (Electronic Vehicle) batteries as a case study and identified three supply chain pressure points. The first was accountability, illustrated by the example of cobalt sourced in countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, that use forced labor. The second was environmental trade-offs, such as the reliance on lithium processing, which involves transportation to China and use of vast sums of water and electricity. The third was complexity, captured by a web of reporting requirements to satisfy Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. Some common threads emerged from the many solutions proposed by the working group, including blacklisting and whitelisting certain materials and countries; developing corporate consortiums to create power in numbers when weighing tradeoffs and avoiding a race to the bottom; public loan or utility loan schemes to assist companies with financing constraints; blended finance or public-private partnerships; enhanced digitalization and international standardization.

3. Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in political and business leadership:

The working group emphasized data, implicit bias, and mentorship. It argued that not simply data collection but also disclosure is essential to identifying problems and maintaining high standards. In that vein, it posed a challenge to Atlantik-Brücke to assemble a more diverse slate of Young Leaders — and to this year’s participants to put forward a more diverse slate of nominees. Among the solutions to implicit bias that were put forward was removing certain identifying details from job applications, such as headshots. In addition to these more structural factors, the working group stressed the importance of mentorship because it means having allies on the inside. The use of quotas was debated, with one point of contention being which identity categories are subject to such parameters, and questions focused on the need for multiple axes of diversity, including diversity of thought and educational background.

4. The war in Ukraine and its implications for energy security: tackling climate change in times of global instability

The working group focused on the central aim of reducing energy dependence on Russia, ideally with renewable sources of energy. In the short term, this might mean alternative supplies such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or biomass, as well as reducing consumption. It could also involve the development of energy efficiency technology. More long term, the working group discussed blue hydrogen and green hydrogen, as well as battery supply and storage. These methods allow greater reliance on European partners and less on American-made products. A framework suggested by the working group would be an energy supply steering group — an alliance that would allow the European Union to negotiate gas purchases as one body.

GUEST SPEAKERS & OFF-SITE VISITS

Beyond participant-led working groups and panels, the conference also included outside speakers and off-site visits in and around Atlanta.

Georgia State Rep. Angelika Kausche, a German-American lawmaker, shared her pathway into politics as an immigrant to the United States. We learned how Melanie Moltmann, the German Consul General in Atlanta, Ga., sees effective civil rights education throughout the South. Docent-guided tours of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta showcased how far the United States has come but also how human rights continue to be threatened around the world. Matthias Hoffman, President & CEO of the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., highlighted the strong business relations that underpin the U.S.-German relationship — over $500 billion in German businesses investment in the U.S., which employ nearly a million people in all 50 states. An example of this business activity was shared by the Regional Vice President of the S.E. Region for Kuehne + Nagel, Jürgen Gentzke, who also explained challenges facing the global supply chain. Dennis Wagner, CEO of BESTAR Steel Group, shared insights about bringing a German company to the US.

At the Coca Cola headquarters, Rocky Rief, the Senior Director for Economic and Fiscal Policy, fielded a wide range of questions. At the Emory University Global Health Institute, an official from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the institute’s researchers and staff described challenges and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eike Jordan, the President of the Halle Foundation, graciously hosted our group at the Halle Estate, where we heard from Pat Wilson, Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. At Porsche’s North American headquarters, Kjell Gruner discussed the power of a brand, as we watched Porsches zoom through the experience center track in the background.

CONCLUSION

After extolling the virtue of questions, Einstein, in his 1955 comments, advised, “never lose a holy curiosity.”

In preparing to write this report, we asked conference participants to share recollections about the experience. What came through in the reactions was how shared curiosity made the week’s events such a success.

One participant wrote of finding “new thoughts, ideas, and possibilities.” Another remarked on the speed with which “intimate relationships formed,” in part because of the wide-ranging discussions, “from science communication to diversity and inclusion, to military leadership (and the number one song on the German charts right now…).”

One comment noted the need to “accept uncertainty and engage deeply in discourse whether we dissent or agree.” A reflection that seemed to sum up these observations noted: “Although a running joke of the conference was the doom and gloom of the worst-case scenarios for the U.S. and Germany, there was still a lot to be hopeful for in this group. There were routinely optimistic outlooks shared in even the worst contexts.”

Through questions and curiosity, the conference allowed us to arrive at something that feels unusual these days: hope.

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Der Beitrag “A lot to be hopeful for” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

With the pandemic still tearing across the globe, the 2020/2021 Young Leaders conference was in doubt until the very last minute. Yet the center held, and in the first week of August, nearly fifty Young Leaders convened at Schloss Neuhardenberg in Brandenburg to discuss the future of the transatlantic relationship and debate the most pressing issues affecting the U.S. and Germany. For many, it was the first large social gathering in more than eighteen months.

Coronavirus was at the center of conversations with German Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn and Sigmar Gabriel, Atlantik-Brücke Chairman and former German Vice Chancellor. Rather than frame the pandemic as a Black Swan event, however, we discussed it as a challenge to, and reflection of, a rapidly reorganizing world; a catastrophe that exposed vulnerabilities and profoundly tested political systems. As scientists warn that the next pandemic is not a matter of “if” but “when,” we wondered what this new reality might mean for national and geopolitical dynamics. Will intense periods of instability continue to fuel misinformation and economic precarity, or will governments, banks, and independent institutions finally learn to work together and effectively care for their populations and solidify alliances? Moreover, how will all this be affected by other ongoing global developments, such as digitalization, rising temperatures, and autocratic challenges to democracy?

These are big questions, and over the course of the week we approached them via a series of off-the-record conversations and off-site visits at private residences and companies. The Chargé d’Affairs at the US Embassy in Berlin, Clark Price, graciously welcomed us at his residence; former Bild editor and Atlantik-Brücke board member Kai Diekmann met with us at the headquarters of his new media start-up, Storymachine, to discuss the evolving dynamics between traditional media and social platforms. We spoke with General James Mattis, former US Secretary of Defense, over Zoom about the meaning of leadership and the importance of alliances. Colonel Jill Long, Air Attaché at the US Embassy in Berlin, highlighted the importance of diversity at a dinner at the airport of Neuhardenberg. Michelle Müntefering, State Minister for International Cultural Policy met with us at the Federal Foreign Office. Jan Kallmorgen of Berlin Global Advisors welcomed us to his home, where Dr. Thomas Bagger, Director of Foreign Policy at the office of the Federal President, spoke about foreign and security policy. Professor Dr. Andreas Dombret, Senior Advisor at Oliver Wyman and member of the board of Atlantik-Brücke, spoke about global financial and economic development, particularly with a focus on the aftermath of the pandemic. At the very end of the week we met with Michael Werz, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and also a board member of Atlantik-Brücke, who shared with us his insights on the impact of changing demographics on both sides of the Atlantic.

[related]Finally, all of the Young Leaders were assigned to working groups centered on four themes: the evolving role of China, the impact of political polarization, Covid-19, and climate change. As Young Leaders came from a wide variety of different backgrounds — namely government, finance, journalism, lobbying, and the thinktank world — end-of-week presentations drew on these fields, and mixed concrete practical solutions with incisive top-level analysis. Characterizing China as both a rival and partner, for instance, the China working group devised a strategy for “competition, collaboration, and confrontation.” This approach asked the EU and the US to reimagine their strategies around international development aid to better compete with China in terms of soft and economic power. Inspired in part by Germany’s former policy regarding mandatory military service, the polarization group proposed the creation of a national civil service for Americans, which they believed would productively force citizens from different socioeconomic backgrounds to learn to live and work together. The Covid-19 group promoted developing a transnational pharmaceutical tracking system so that, when the next pandemic comes, vaccines and supply chains will be more transparent and effective.

Climate change was not only the primary topic for the final working group – which proposed implementing a stronger international system of carbon reduction targets – it was arguably the overarching theme of the conference. With wildfires ravaging Turkey, Greece, and California, and Germany still reeling from the devastating effects of recent flooding, global warming did not feel like an abstraction so much as an immediate existential threat. The urgency of this problem was echoed by many of the speakers, from thinkers as diverse as the CEO of a Swiss insurance company, Andrea Stürmer, to a young, riveting, representative of Fridays for Future, Helena Marschall. In demanding a solution based on political cooperation (something that has proven nearly impossible during the Covid-19 pandemic) climate change makes clear that the real challenge is human. As was affirmed by presenters and experts over the course of the week, we have the technology to stop the world from warming. The question is whether we can find enough common ground to use it. In this, strong leadership is more important than ever.

The Young Leaders also met Graf von Hardenberg, who presented the history of his family’s former estate and described its role as the site of resistance meetings during Hitler’s rule. The castle was expropriated after the assassination of resistance hero Claus Graf von Stauffenberg, transformed into a school in the GDR era, and later turned into a conference center and monument to anti-Nazism — a history of twentieth-century Germany, and its return from the brink of total calamity, in miniature.

There are many reasons to be disheartened by the state of the world in 2021, but as we were reminded at Neuhardenberg, there are also reasons to be hopeful. After nearly two years of fear and isolation, the conference reminded us how important it is to meet face-to-face, and reaffirmed that direct exchange is the best basis for trust and collaboration. As Young Leaders 2020/2021 — perhaps the longest cohort in the history of Atlantik-Brücke — we believe that social-ecological transformation is critical for our generation and future ones.

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Der Beitrag German-American Young Leaders Conference 2020-2021 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

General James Mattis, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, spoke at Atlantik-Brücke’s Young Leaders Conference 2021 via Zoom.

James N. Mattis is a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 26th Secretary of Defense. During his more than four decades in uniform, Secretary Mattis commanded forces in the Persian Gulf War, in Afghanistan after 9/11, and in the Iraq War in 2003.

From 2007 to 2010, he commanded the United States Joint Forces Command and also served as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. He was commander of United States Central Command from 2010 to 2013.

After his retirement, Secretary Mattis served as the Davies Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He co-edited the book, “Warriors & Citizens: American Views of Our Military.”

Der Beitrag “Allies, allies, allies” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Under Secretary Nuland highlighted some key points of President Biden’s trip to Europe, the G7, NATO and EU-US summits as well as Biden’s meeting with Putin:

• The goal of the trip was to create an architecture of the future; it was “a 1949 moment”.
• Democratic countries need to demonstrate unity in the face of challenge from autocracies like Russia and China.
• Democracy needs to show it will deliver for its own people as well as for people around the world.

These ideas, Nuland argued, became manifest in the outcomes of the various summits:

• The G7-pledge to donate a billion vaccines to countries in need with no political strings attached
• The Build Back Better World initiative of the G7 countries, in which they provide medium and lower income countries with an infrastructure fund as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative and other autocratic measures
• The G7’s decision on a corporate minimum tax of 15% to emphasize fairness
• The G7-climate-pledge to transition away from coal
• The decision to make NATO stronger and more resilient, and to focus more strongly on China and cyber security
• The launch of the EU-US Technology Council to address challenges in tech and to demonstrate unity vis-à-vis autocracies

All of these initiatives provided the backdrop for President Biden’s meeting with President Putin. The United States offered Russia cooperation on a number of issues, including strategic stability, the fight agains ransomware attacks and Syria.

The Fireside Chat with Ambassador Nuland kicked off our German-American Conference in cooperation with the American Council on Germany.

Der Beitrag “A 1949 Moment” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not bring an Atlantik-Brücke delegation to the United States in 2020. We had planned a battleground study trip. Instead of travelling physically, we took our members along for a virtual tour of the election campaign, in cooperation with the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC).

Below, you can rewatch the series:

Part 1: A Pollster’s Analysis on the US Election

https://vimeo.com/466093112

Four leading American pollsters give us their take on the upcoming election. Glen Bolger, Public Opinion Strategies, Celinda Lake, Lake Research Partners, Fred Yang, Hart Research and Amy Walter, Cook Political Report speak about how the pandemic is affecting the election, which groups of voters the presidential candidates can each win, and how the Senate election differs from the presidential election. In addition, the four experts talk about why pollsters did not predict the election of Donald Trump in 2016.

Part 2: The Battleground State of Michigan

https://vimeo.com/473382776

The second stop of our Battleground Tour was the state of Michigan. Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the elections, as well as the impact of ethnic differences on voting behavior, in conversation with James J. Blanchard, former Governor of Michigan and former U.S. Ambassador in Canada. They also discussed whether the presidential election might have an impact on Senate and other down-the-ballot races.

Part 3: Battleground Tour in Wisconsin

https://vimeo.com/473479930

Just ahead of the 2020 election, Mark Pocan, Member of Congress (D-Wisconsin), U.S. House of Representatives, and moderator Scott Klug, former Member of Congress (R-Wisconsin), U.S. House of Representatives, debated which voter groups might play a decisive role in Wisconsin and the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on voting behavior in the contested battleground state.

Part 4: Debrief of the U.S. Election

https://vimeo.com/480225372

The fourth discussion of our “Virtual Battleground Tour” dealt with the election results. Former members of Congress Jim Blanchard (D-Michigan), Carlos Curbelo (R-Florida), Charlie Dent (R-Pennsylvania) and Karan English (D-Arizona) discussed voter turnout, exit polls, and vote counts in their contested home states. They analyzed the outcomes of the presidential election and the Senate races. The discussion was moderated by Lukas Streiff, Diplomat at the German Embassy Beirut and 2016 Young Leader Alumnus.

Der Beitrag Delegation Trip 2020 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

As part of the virtual 2020 German-American Conference, Sigmar Gabriel, Chairman of Atlantik-Bruecke, and Ambassador John Emerson, Chairman of the American Council on Germany, look back at 2020 and ahead to see what 2021 might bring for German-American relations. They discuss the European and American strategy on China, the debate around Nord Stream 2, and Germany’s role in the multilateral order.

The discussion was moderated by Christiane Meier, Correspondent and Head of New York Office, ARD German Television.

This event was held in cooperation with the American Council on Germany.

Der Beitrag Reinventing the German-American Agenda in 2021 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

As part of the virtual 2020 German-American Conference, Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany held a joint video discussion titled »Changing Demographics: Diversity in the United States and Germany«. The speakers were Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel, Professor of Political Science, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, The Honorable Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, United States House of Representatives, Janet Murguia, President and CEO, UNIDOS, and Cem Oezdemir, MdB (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Deutscher Bundestag.

The discussion was moderated by Michael Werz, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, and Member of Atlantik-Brücke’s Board of Directors

The panel discussed the demographic shifts taking place in both Germany and the United States and the likely effects of such changes. The United States is likely to become a “majority-minority” country by the early 2040s, and German society is becoming increasingly diverse – with nearly a quarter of the population with a migration background – and also aging quickly. The panelists also debated how transatlantic relations can become more inclusive and how changing demographics demographic might help – or hinder – transatlantic cooperation.

Der Beitrag “Changing Demographics: Diversity in the United States and Germany” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

With the spread of COVID-19, an unprecedented public health crisis has brought global travel to a halt and slowed international commerce. Should we have seen this coming? Ambassador Boris Ruge, Vice-Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, and Professor Gregory F. Treverton, former Chairman of the National Intelligence Council, discuss whether we could have anticipated this pandemic and how the definition of security threats is evolving. The panel is moderated by Dr. Constanze Stelzenmüller, Senior Fellow at the Center on the United States and Europe, Brookings Institution.

The conversation is part of Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany’s German American Conference, which, due to the pandemic, is held as a series of Zoom Calls.

Der Beitrag “Did We Miss the Warning Signals?“ erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

In this deep global crisis, many nations turn inward. Who will take up the banner to defend liberalism? Will the transatlantic partnership prevail? Ambassador Victoria Nuland, Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Omid Nouripour, Member of the German Bundestag, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the Green Parliamentary Group, and Member of the Board at Atlantik-Brücke, discuss coping strategies of the West and whether China can be contained.

The discussion is moderated by Dr. David Deißner, Atlantik-Brücke.

The discussion is part of Atlantik-Brücke’s and the American Council on Germany’s German-American Conference.

Der Beitrag Global Order in Crisis Mode – Coping Strategies of the West erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

By Caroline Naumann and Selma Stern

Forty-five Young Leaders from the United States and Germany came together for a week of deep engagement on transatlantic issues in August 2019 in Queenstown, Maryland. On a political level, this year’s cross-sectoral group of experts and young decision-makers observed a more volatile transatlantic relationship than previous classes. In times of rising nationalism and populism in both countries, the issues at stake were emotional, debates heated. Nonetheless, the bonds forged in less than a week show just how strong our transatlantic connection is on a fundamental level.

Seventy years after the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), many areas of debate between the U.S. and Germany are not new, but the domestic and global context is. At home, both countries are seeing a rise in right wing populism, which is driven by perceived injustices, national identity, and an inability to fully understand international interdependencies. Globally, the maelstrom created by the simultaneous rise of China, Russia’s geopolitical shift, President Trump, technological progress, increased global mobility, and climate change produces a complex new reality. In this piece, we focus on two overarching topics of the conference: global security policy and communication with domestic audiences.

Sustaining security cooperation in the face of mutual threats

Global security was a salient theme throughout this year’s conference. Julie Fisher, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State gave an overview of the U.S. perspective, experts from the Hudson Institute, the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Center for American Progress provided deep insight into the variety of viewpoints in Washington. The conversation with Emily Haber, German Ambassador to the United States, was a highlight of the conference and illustrated the German approach to foreign policy.

Virtually all discussions with experts from policy, business and the media touched on one point of contention between Berlin and Washington: German spending on its military. All NATO members committed to spending 2% of their GDP on defense. Germany’s budget, albeit growing, is not as significant as the U.S. and other NATO partners want it to be. Although this debate predates the Trump administration, the tone between Washington and Berlin has become harsher in recent years. Many of the conference’s interlocutors share the impression that the current U.S. style is counterproductive, although there is broad agreement that Germany is not yet complying with the Wales Pledge.

The Young Leaders conference showed that “the 2% debate” is as much if not more of a discourse problem than a substantial policy problem. At the core, foreign policy interests are, arguably, even more aligned than in previous years. There is broad agreement among policy makers that both countries are facing similar threats from outside the NATO alliance, especially in cyberspace, but also in conventional terms. Working-level relations between the foreign policy and defense bureaucracies on both sides are strong, as Colonel Terry Anderson, Associate Professor at the Naval War College, explained in detail. Germany has upped its defense spending significantly and is committed to further increases by 2024. Threat assessments vary due to geographical and historical differences, but there is significant common ground given the rise of China, Russia and various non-state actors challenging our free way of life in “the West”.

Facing the facts – and the perceptions

On a political level and in the wider public arena, mutual perceptions of Germany and the US are focused on the negative. The Trump administration’s retreat from several international regimes coupled with its insistence on more defense spending in the NATO context is seen as erratic and inconsistent in Germany. The confrontational tone from Washington and President Trump’s “America first” rhetoric feeds into a German perception of the United States as a global bully. This is echoed in public perception polls. While 72% of Americans perceive the relationship to be positive, only 24% of Germans believe the same (Pew, 2019). An Atlantik-Brücke study finds that 84.6% of Germans view German-American relations negatively (Atlantik-Brücke / Civey, 2019).

On the other hand, Germany is seen as tight-fisted, somewhat naive vis-à-vis Russia, and unreliable in terms of defense commitments in Washington. Within Germany, there is no domestic consensus about the depth and level of threat actually posed by Russia, leading to somewhat cautious and unassertive policy. These behaviors can in part be explained by history and geography but are often misread as a mere lack of German engagement.

Debating social media “debates”

The Young Leaders and most conference speakers came to a common conclusion: It is extremely important to “argue out” the emotional aspects of the discussion in order to get to the core of the policy issues, especially in such politically charged times. The natural forum for such debate is social media, though it has both positive and negative impacts on public discourse. It is well established that the algorithms behind Facebook, Twitter and others aim to reach users likely to agree with the stated views, not bring together varied perspectives for lively discussion. While social media is successfully being used to galvanize devoted followers, it is failing to spark the true political debate society needs.

Complicating matters further is the global trend of deliberately misleading information and manipulation of public discourse. Deep fakes (videos whose images and sound are realistically altered to send a different message) are on the rise and studies have found that there is a 70% higher likelihood that people retweet falsehoods than facts (MIT, 2018).

Breaking out of the echo chamber

Think tanks and the media indicated that the public’s perception of the U.S.-German relationship – and knowledge and understanding of foreign policy – can be tangibly strengthened by facilitating communication at the city- and state-level. Hometown heroes and local politicians can reach their communities through social and traditional media, and good old-fashioned ‘coffee and cake’ events. One Young Leader noted that this may be especially powerful if the leader is a reliable local figure who does not usually discuss foreign policy issues, because it would reach non-traditional audiences from a base of trust.

This is also true for policy areas other than international security. In various formats, the Young Leaders also worked on a range of other issues, including but not limited to migration, gender and identity, the rise of populism and the future of the media industry in an age of rapid digitization. Experts such as Elmar Theveßen, Washington Bureau Chief of ZDF and Jan Philipp Burgard, U.S. Correspondent & Deputy Bureau Chief of ARD, Germany’s national public broadcasting services, helped the group understand the key challenges transatlantic media professionals are navigating today. The group’s visit to Lockheed Martin shed light on controversial aspects of international trade and security.

Conclusion

Despite the current public perception and strained diplomatic rhetoric, nearly every discussion highlighted the common values, trends, and threats shared by both the U.S. and Germany. Across the board, speakers noted that the “working level” interaction between governments, civil societies, and economic institutions is quite strong and not as impacted by recent tensions as feared. This enforces the belief that the stronger the ties between individual actors in business, media, the public sector and civil society, the less lasting harm short term political tensions can do to our transatlantic alliance. This year’s Atlantik-Brücke Young Leaders are hopeful that this transatlantic storm will pass.

Citations

• MIT Fake News study, Mach 2018 http://news.mit.edu/2018/study-twitter-false-news-travels-faster-true-stories-0308
• Pew research study, March 2019 https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2019/03/04/americans-and-germans-disagree-on-the-state-of-bilateral-relations-but-largely-align-on-key-international-issues/
• Atlantik-Brücke study (in cooperation with Civey), February 2019
  https://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/app/uploads/AtlantikBrueckeUmfrage2019.pdf

Der Beitrag Passing storm or tectonic shift? erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

It really is an era coming to an end. After ten years, Friedrich Merz as the chairman is leaving and John Emerson has already left – but not really. Let me start with you, dear Friedrich Merz. You are looking back on ten important and successful years. What was your biggest success, the most positive transatlantic event?

[related]FM: First of all, I am really happy to co-host the biggest German-American Conference we ever had at Atlantik-Brücke together with the American Council on Germany (ACG) tonight and tomorrow. It is a great honor that we are attracting so many people to our conference. Sitting here and looking over to the Adlon Hotel, I am reminded of one of the best meetings I had in my capacity as chairman of the Atlantik-Brücke with John’s predecessor Bob Kimmitt. At the very beginning of my tenure, I invited him for dinner there. It was not an easy conversation because cooperation between the ACG and the Atlantik-Brücke had been a little fraught before. I said: Bob, let’s talk about what has happened and let’s look forward to what we can do jointly in the future. We came to the conclusion that we should leave the past behind and restore our cooperation. This was the continuation of a very fruitful collaboration between our two organizations, which we should make sure we continue in the future.

Which moment worried you the most?

FM: The biggest disappointment was the failure of TTIP. When I see what is happening in the US these days, I wish that we at least had TTIP. But to be honest, I am not so sure if this would really help as long as the American President is not willing to stick to the agreements the US government entered into. Nevertheless, we should come back to a rules-based cooperation between Europe and the United States. A transatlantic free trade agreement is one of the most important things we could and should achieve in the future. We all worked very hard on TTIP and we met in several places in Germany to fight for TTIP.

The biggest disappointment was the failure of TTIP.[quoter]Friedrich Merz[/quoter]

John Emerson, you said the two of you were working together for six years. You were trying to achieve TTIP, and you are still true friends. Can you describe your cooperation and what is the key to this special friendship?

JE: I have to say what a great pleasure it is to sit up here and look into this room and see so many friends. Old friends, new friends, but particularly friends from our time in Germany. Secondly, I have to say, that there was probably no one I enjoyed working with in Germany more than Friedrich Merz. Friedrich hosted the opening dinner at which I spoke when I got introduced to some in this room and many in the German public the day I presented my credentials to President Gauck. And then literally the last speech that I gave and the last event that Kimberly and I and our girls attended, Friedrich hosted with Atlantik-Brücke again. He threw an incredible party for us. On behalf of all of us, we are really sad to see you go.

I have to say, that there was probably no one I enjoyed working with in Germany more than Friedrich Merz.[quoter]Ambassador John B. Emerson[/quoter]

There are three levels to the German-American friendship and relationship. There is a government to government level – and sometimes there are things that we agree on and sometimes there are things that we don’t agree on. There is also the business to business level. There is no reason in the world that we cannot continue negotiating a great trade agreement. And then there is the people to people level, which is very much reflected by what we see tonight in this room.

Friedrich Merz, you recently said, and I quote you directly: We are eyewitnesses of a fundamental political and economic shift. You underlined that change while mentioning the election of the 45^thU.S. President and the party convention of the Communist Party of China in October 2017. What exactly are these tectonic changes that we are facing?

FM: I mentioned a third date, which was the 23^rdof June 2016, when the majority of the British decided Britain should leave the EU. These three events, the Brexit vote, the American election and the party convention of the Communist Party in China mark a fundamental change in our history. When we look back at these events some time from now, we will realize what really happened. Let me quote Professor Heinrich August Winkler, who said: We are in the midst of a cultural fight about the future of our liberal order. He concludes that it is really uncertain whether we will win. But there is something that makes me optimistic: when I travel to the United States, my experience is that in these complicated times, more Americans than ever before are willing to defend what we achieved over the last seven decades. Let’s preserve our freedom and our liberty.

These three events, the Brexit vote, the American election and the party convention of the Communist Party in China mark a fundamental change in our history.[quoter]Friedrich Merz[/quoter]

John, what do you think about this?

JE: If you talk to most Americans and tell them that there is a real crisis in the German-American relationship, they say: What are you talking about? We love Germany. Angela Merkel still is probably, if not the most, one of the two most respected foreign leaders in the United States of America. The multilateral institutions that were created over the last 70 years, as creaky and in need of reform as some of them are, have been largely responsible for helping to create 70 years of peace and prosperity, growth and national security throughout the West. As we move away from working in and through those institutions towards a more transactional nation to nation approach, we risk moving away from the values that hold us together.

As we move away from working in and through multilateral institutions towards a more transactional nation to nation approach, we risk moving away from the values that hold us together.[quoter]Ambassador John B. Emerson[/quoter]

John, Sigmar Gabriel, the possible next chairman of Atlantik-Brücke, said Europeans only care about themselves, for world issues they rely on the United States.Is this description true?

JE: Absolutely. President Obama got a lot of heat for an interview with The Atlantic, in which he talked about free riders in terms of the whole burden sharing concept. In fairness to Sigmar Gabriel’s commentary on Europeans, Americans didn’t necessarily mind that we were running things. That wasn’t a role that the United States of America shrunk from, particularly during the Cold War. However, those issues that Friedrich talked about are significantly growing. Particularly in relation to China and to the rise of nationalist populism around the world that has much more of a cultural genesis than an economic genesis, particularly here in Europe where immigration is the jet fuel for that movement. Those are issues that we can confront best when we are working together.

Friedrich Merz, you are one of the voices who constantly mentions that, let me put it in my words, Germany is punching below its weight. Where exactly should Germany step up?

FM: It is not only the Trump administration which is complaining about our defense budget. When former defense secretary Robert Gates left office, he gave a public speech on the deficit of funding and the NATO budget. Still, the majority of Germans is not aware of the fact that the U.S. is paying 70 percent and that Europe is only contributing 30 percent to the NATO budget. On the other hand, the question is: What is the right answer from the European side of the Atlantic to these challenges we are facing? The bigger problem within the transatlantic relationship is on our side of the Atlantic. The member states of the European Union have to start speaking with one voice.

The bigger problem within the transatlantic relationship is on our side of the Atlantic.[quoter]Friedrich Merz[/quoter]

Can you give us an example?

FM: When Jean-Claude Juncker travelled to Washington, D.C. in July of 2018 and had a debate with President Trump in the Oval Office, he gave a very clear statement about trade. He could only convince the President not to implement more tariffs on European goods because he had a letter signed by 28 European heads of state backing his point. Europe has to be clearer and we have to be united. That brings me to another point: The Germans have to take on more leadership within the European Union. Germany has a big responsibility to bring all Europeans to the table to agree on a common European position.

Germany has a big responsibility to bring all Europeans to the table to agree on a common European position.[quoter]Friedrich Merz[/quoter]

Do you agree with that, John?

JE: That’s a very fair statement. Thinking about the effort to get the EU member states agree on sanctions against Russia as consequence of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Ukraine, I do recall Angela Merkel being very insistent on making sure everybody is lined up. But we were constantly talking to Germans about investing more in the southern part of Europe where we have all this youth unemployment, and not worrying so much about the Schwarze Nullin our budget. If Germany does not take a lead in investing in national security and in other areas, no other country is going to do it.

If Germany does not take a lead in investing in national security and in other areas, no other country is going to do it.[quoter]Ambassador John B. Emerson[/quoter]

In 2015, Atlantik-Brücke presented President Bush Senior with an award. You, Friedrich Merz, were invited to Bush’s house in Kennebunkport, Maine. Please share those moments and describe why exactly you awarded President George H. W. Bush.

FM: That was one of the most moving events in my tenure at Atlantik-Brücke. We had a very long Saturday in their private home in Kennebunkport. It was very encouraging to see that the President was still very interested in Germany. We had a deep conversation on German reunification and the events that led up to it. He was very interested in hearing how the country is governed from Berlin now, a city which was very close to his heart because of its  history.

JE: At least Germans of a certain age never ever forget that the man is absolutely revered here. Angela Merkel did not go to his funeral because of protocol. She went to his funeral because she wanted to be there.

Talking about the future, we have to jumpstart a dialogue with the America of tomorrow. The majority of the Americans soon won’t have European roots. What would you recommend, how can we start this dialogue?

JE: We underestimate the impact and the importance of youth. When you see the impact of the kids in Florida, who were the survivors of that school shooting or when you see the girl from Sweden who’s led the grassroot effort on climate change, it actually gives me great hope. For organizations like us both having Young Leaders programs, we have to keep building on this asset and maintaining it. We ought to empower our young people more and to listen to them more.

We underestimate the impact and the importance of youth.[quoter]Ambassador John B. Emerson[/quoter]

We will come to an end. Chancellor Merkel said in her commencement speech recently at Harvard University, I quote: Nothing can be taken for granted, democracy is not something we can take for granted, neither is peace, neither is prosperity. What should we do to fight for these shared values?

FM: The most important point is to show people in our respective countries that we are still sharing these values. I would like to give you one clear indication that this is really working. We are going to the US with our annual delegation in October every year. Last year we went to Oklahoma, a state where we had never been to before. The people there were so enthusiastic about the German-American cooperation and their hospitality was outstanding. It’s quite simple: People have to meet people.

What can you add, John?

JE: Living in Los Angeles, which is Berlin’s sister city, I couldn’t agree more with that. Look at the Paris climate change agreement for example. The reality is: We are actually doing quite well. Because the state level, the local level, the business level and the people to people level are realizing this plan. The federal government isn’t that important. And that can happen on issue after issue. Additionally, democracy and the values that we hold dear are like a marriage – you’ve got to work on it. You have to always be thinking about it, you have to be flexible and willing to grow and change. I want to give a shout-out to the members of the press, because you are having a tough experience in today’s world. The fact is, it is your responsibility to hold the rest of us accountable to live up to the values that we claim we are living up to.

I want to give a shout-out to the members of the press, because you are having a tough experience in today’s world. The fact is, it is your responsibility to hold the rest of us accountable to live up to the values that we claim we are living up to.[quoter]Ambassador John B. Emerson[/quoter]

This conversation was moderated by Tina Hasselwho is the Berlin Bureau Chief of ARD German Television.

Der Beitrag In conversation with true Atlanticists Friedrich Merz and Ambassador John Emerson erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

[related]The 34^th German-Canadian Conference took place in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario from May 2 – 4, 2019. Main topics of discussion were German-Canadian cooperation in digital transformation, China’s rising power, engagement on trade, and cyber resilience in light of electoral interference. 60 high-level business leaders, political figures and academics from Germany and Canada came together on this occasion.

Ambassador Stéphane Dion, Ambassador to Germany and Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, Embassy of Canada in Berlin, kicked off the conference, stating: “At a time when relations between Germany and Canada are as good as they have ever been, when they are a patch of blue sky in a turbulent world, when our respective partnerships are presenting the same challenges, when our two countries have so much to do together, bilaterally and in the world, the importance of assembling this delegation committed to strengthening the Canada-Germany relationship cannot be overstated.”

Digital Transformation: Impact and Outcomes

Discussion leaders on this panel were Iain Stewart, President of the Canadian National Research Council; Steffen Kampeter, Managing Director and Member of the Presidential Board, Confederation of German Employers‘ Associations; State Secretary Dr. Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal, European and International Affairs, State’s plenipotentiary to the Federal Government; Karin Mostler, Regional Vice President, OpenText and Hans Raffauf, Chairman & Co-Founder, Clue. The session was moderated by Dr. PG Forest, Director and James S. and Barbara A. Palmer Chair in Public Policy, The School of Public Policy.

Technological innovation creates both winners and losers. While winners enjoy significant benefits, losers find themselves on the wrong end of stronger competition, heightened job churn and shifting skill requirements. While there is little agreement among experts today on the likely net impact of digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, blockchain and Internet of Things, on employment, one thing is clear: technological innovation is not just an economic, but also a social issue.

The interface between people and technology is problematic for both countries. People entering the workforce today will have to adapt to the fact that the amount of available jobs will decrease significantly during their lifetimes. Workers also should prepare to be more “agile” as hiring models are changing and are becoming more digitalized.

This panel discussed that work will have to be continuously redefined, requiring a constant adaptation of skills. Intelligent automation will boost the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but will also require a high readiness for lifelong learning on part of the work force.

When comparing German and Canadian adaptation to new technology and digitization, it seems that German companies are better at coming to terms new technologies. While Canada has 15 research universities and the Canadian government helps with venture capital, often working closely with university faculty and students, Canadian companies seem to be slow to react to innovation. In comparison, Germany has 40 high tech clusters, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) partner with municipalities to train workers.

The China Question

Discussants on this panel were Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Business Council of Canada; Dr. Thomas Bagger, Director Foreign Policy, Office of the Federal President, and Dr. Olga Petricevic, University of Calgary. It was moderated by Ali Aslan, Moderator and Journalist.

China simultaneously serves as partner and systemic competitor to Canada and Germany. Its rapid economic growth offers great opportunities, yet its state-dominated economy and single-party system differ from the liberal democratic system that has brought peace and prosperity to the West. Significant differences have led to disputes over intellectual property, the detention of foreign nationals, 5G technology and the definition of a level playing field for business.

Implications for Canada could be that the country is left behind in the event of a U.S.-China trade deal. On the German side, the relationship to China is no longer only economic. While Germany sold technology and machine tools, China is becoming a geostrategic competitor. China is Germany’s largest trading partner outside the EU, having overtaken the U.S.

In order to tackle these new developments, Germany should be open for investment, with exchange of high-tech and open markets for each other’s products. When nearly half of the Volkswagens in the world are made and sold in China, it becomes obvious that Germany has to adapt to the situation at hand. While the relationship with China is rules based partially, it is a matter of Chinese power and size on the other hand. German-Canadian Cooperation, as well as with the European Union, has to be more unified to counter this leverage.

How do we engage on Trade?

Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner Dr. Ailish Campbell, Burkhard Balz, Member of the Executive Board, Deutsche Bundesbank, Dr. Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Presidium, German Economic Institute, Dr. Marie-Claire Weinski, The Association of German Women Entrepreneurs and Jason Langrish, Executive Director, Canada Europe Roundtable for Business, discussed the implications on trade on this panel, which was moderated by Ali Aslan.

Many of the most pressing economic issues we face are the result, at least in part, of segments of our societies feeling they are on the wrong end of a rigged economic system. Brexit is a symptom of this sentiment and CETA faces substantial hurdles to its ratification despite being pitched as a driver of inclusive growth. Furthermore, the perception by the American public that they have been treated unfairly by the Chinese has enabled a trade war with blowback felt in Germany and Canada.

Although free trade raises aggregate wealth on the one hand, it does not benefit everyone on the other. Consequences are the reduction of wages or the elimination of some jobs. Although there is a bigger pie, there is the issue of uneven distribution. The panel discussed that protectionism is not the solution to the distribution problem. Discussants saw possible solutions in a higher level of education and creation of a more flexible labor market as well as better protection of intellectual property rights.

Cyber Resilience and Electoral Interference

This session’s discussants were Nik Nanos, Chair, Nanos Research; Dr. Tobias Lindner, Security Policy Spokesman of Alliance’90/ The Greens, Deutscher Bundestag and Jan Neutze, Senior Director, Digital Diplomacy Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA), Microsoft. The panel was moderated by Dr. David Deissner, Executive Director, Atlantik-Brücke

Standing together on defense and security is critical for Canada and Germany in order to counter hybrid warfare threats and act as champions of democracy and open markets. With a Canadian federal election set for fall 2019, countering attempts to weaken Western democratic institutions is top of mind.

Interference in elections by nation states has increased over the last 10 years. While their targets have been businesses, the military, and general espionage, they now increasingly target the democratic process. This is not just affecting the U.S., but also France and Germany. It has been proven that 40 countries have been the target of election disruption. While there have been discussions at the UN since 1998 on ways to reduce interference, cyber intervention remains a serious problem. The panel discussion made clear that global cooperation is needed in order to strengthen German-Canadian resilience in this matter.

The German-Canadian New Bridges Program

At this conference, Atlantik-Brücke launched the German-Canadian New Bridges Program, a program for young Canadians and Germans to carry the transatlantic partnership to the next generation. The group of 10 participants took part in an in-depth, week-long exchange on current and future challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. Topics of discussion included technology’s disruptive impact on politics, the economy and society, changing geopolitical realities, and the future of economic progress and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The program ended with the participation of the group in the German-Canadian Conference. The New Bridges program is carried out in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canada and the Embassy of Canada in Berlin.

Thank you to Rudolph Houck for his input for this report.

Der Beitrag A signal of closeness from Canada erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

My dear friends, I am honoured to be with you tonight, and to receive this award, which speaks not only to the importance of the transatlantic alliance but also the strong ties that exist between Canada and Germany.

[related]It is a great honour to be here with you tonight. In the troubled world we  live in today, I can think of no better role model than Eric Warburg, whose commitment to democratic ideals, the rule of law and human rights is an inspiration for us all. I would also like to express particularly warm thanks to Friedrich Merz for being here tonight, for his kind introduction, and above all, for his effective and enduring commitment to the work and mission of the Atlantik-Brücke. And thank you to my friend and partner, Heiko. That was a remarkable speech, and it is a great pleasure to work so closely with you!

We are all here tonight because we recognise the importance of the transatlantic relationship. Representing as I do the slightly smaller of your two partners from the other side of the Atlantic, let me acknowledge the outsized role the United States has played in creating and leading our transatlantic alliance. We all owe a great deal to our American friends, and speaking for Canada, let me say tonight, how grateful we are to our southern neighbour.

As Canada’s lead negotiator in our recently (and successfully) concluded NAFTA negotiations, I am also well aware of the reality that the U.S. is seeking to recalibrate its oldest and closest alliances. But arriving here fresh from NATO and OSCE meetings this week, I am equally certain that our transatlantic partnership is more essential and more universally appreciated by all of its members than ever before.

But now is the time for enthusiastic transatlanticists and multilateralists, like Canada and Germany, to embrace the reality that, in the 21^st century, countries like ours need to take more of a leadership role, and, together, find creative and effective ways to do so.

I would like to start on a personal note. In the late 1980s and 1990s, I studied and worked as a reporter in what was then the U.S.S.R., which became, while I was living there, independent Ukraine and Russia. My experience of watching from the inside as this vast, apparently mighty authoritarian regime crumbled, profoundly shaped my thinking. It was a euphoric moment—and one when it was tempting to imagine that liberal democracy was both inevitable and invulnerable.

You’ve heard the wonderful line from Martin Luther King Jr., that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” That was a time when Dr. King’s words seemed powerfully true. Here, let me emphasize how the transatlantic alliance was at the heart and at the start of this optimistic era. That story can be told through the lives of two remarkable men—Eric Warburg and the late, great George H.W. Bush, who was honoured with this award in 2002. Their experience as young men before and during the Second World War inspired both of them to devote their lives to ensuring “never again.” Both understood that building a transatlantic partnership and, in time, a united Europe and a united Germany, were essential to that project. From the very outset, that transatlantic partnership was designed to be just one building block—albeit the cornerstone—of a much wider rules-based multilateral order. Critically, this system was open for others to join. And join they have.

Germany has been united and many countries of the former Warsaw Pact and the former Soviet Union have been welcomed into the EU and NATO. In Asia, in Africa, in Latin America, and in the Caribbean, developing countries have joined these institutions and accepted their rules—and that has delivered ever-greater living standards to their people. But although this was and remains a broadly positive evolution, with extraordinary gains in reducing extreme poverty, lengthening lifespans and decreasing infant mortality, one assumption about this global shift turned out to be wrong.

This was the idea that, as authoritarian countries joined the global economy and grew rich, they would inevitably adopt Western political freedoms, too. That has not always happened. Indeed, in recent years, even some democracies have gone in the other direction and slid into authoritarianism—notably and tragically Venezuela. And some countries, here in Europe, that had embarked on the difficult journey from communism to democratic capitalism have moved backward. The most threatening example is Russia, but it is not the only one.

Other great civilizations have risen—and then fallen. It is hubris to think we will inevitably be different.

Even China, whose economic success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty is one of the great accomplishments of recent times, stands as a rebuke to our belief in the inevitability of liberal democracy. And within the club of wealthy Western nations, we’re seeing homegrown anti-democratic movements on the rise, seeking to undermine our open societies from within. Now, the idea that democracy could falter, or be overturned in places where it had previously flourished, may seem outlandish. But other great civilizations have risen—and then fallen. It is hubris to think we will inevitably be different.

As Robert Kagan argues in his new book—which Heiko first introduced me to—“[i]f the liberal order is like a garden, artificial and forever threatened by the forces of nature, preserving it requires a persistent, unending struggle against the vines and weeds that are constantly working to undermine it from within and overwhelm it from without. Today there are signs all around us that the jungle is growing back.” So: As the 19th century Russian socialists once asked: “What is to be done?”

Here is my answer: it is time for liberal democracy to fight back. We need to summon Yeats’ oft-cited “passionate intensity” in the fight for liberal democracy and the rules-based multilateral order that supports it. And there is no more important place to start than with trade.

Rules-based trade by no means guarantees peace between nations. But it helps.

It’s no accident that one of the first acts in the creation of the post-WW II liberal order was the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community. That was the first step toward the European Union. It also greatly reduced the threat of war between France and West Germany. Rules-based trade by no means guarantees peace between nations. But it helps. And that is why fighting together for free, fair trade is essential in the fight against resurgent authoritarianism.

We’ve made a good start! At a time of rising protectionism worldwide, the fact that we managed to conclude our CETA [Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement] negotiations together is a triumph. I want to specifically acknowledge the special role that Germany played in getting this done—from the German government and German legislators, to German industry, to, crucially, Germany’s trade unions. And CETA is working—on both sides of the Atlantic. At the Port of Montreal alone, we have seen 20% more traffic in goods headed across the Atlantic year over year. Likewise, since CETA’s entry into force, motor vehicles and parts exports from Germany have increased by 168.1%.

These examples are the best possible argument we can make to our people that free trade is good. They reinforce the need to build on the successes of CETA to fight together for rules-based free trade. And that is what we are doing. We are allies in the fight to support, reform and renew the WTO and its dispute settlement mechanism, something we worked on together at a meeting of trade ministers on this issue that Canada hosted in September. We are allies, at the WTO and elsewhere, in our challenge to the illegal and unjust 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum.

We must learn to work together and take the initiative in this new era for the transatlantic partnership.

We need to do more! It may be hard at this time to imagine free traders making new inroads. But let’s not underestimate our own collective power—after all, the EU, plus Japan, plus Canada, together account for almost 30% of the world’s GDP, a larger share than any other single country. In fact, with CETA, the EU-Japan trade deal and the CPTPP all agreed, perhaps now is the moment to consider how free trade can be expanded further—how about an EU-CPTPP trade zone?

The second battle we must fight together is the effort to defend and renew rules-based multilateralism when it comes to human rights, international law, multilateralism and the very continued existence of our planet. Neither Canadians nor Germans want to live in a world where might is right, where theft and murder and invasion are not only tolerated, but become, in practice, the most effective tools of statecraft. We do not want to live in a world where two or three great powers carve up the spoils for themselves, leaving the rest no choice but to choose sides and be satisfied with the scraps.

But let’s be frank. The jungle’s invasion of our liberal democratic garden is being felt by us all. The weakening of the rules-based order has made the Rohingya a target of genocide in Myanmar and the people of Venezuela victims of crimes against humanity. It has devastated Syria, where the Assad regime has bombed its own citizens using banned chemical weapons. Syria’s suffering is far from over—and all of us in the West need to face up to the moral accounting of our own collective inaction. But rather than curse the darkness, we can choose to light a candle. And that is what we did in an effort spearheaded by Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, to save some of the White Helmets—brave Syrians who united to rescue their fellow citizens and to document war crimes. Together, we—Heiko, Jeremy Hunt and I—led this important action. Crucially, the U.S. enthusiastically and effectively played a supportive role—one without which this humanitarian success story would not have been possible. This is an example of how we must learn to work together and to take the initiative in this new era for the transatlantic partnership.

I met with some of the White Helmets a few weeks ago. One 39-year old man talked about how eager he is to vote for the first time in his life. Others spoke about wanting to set up a Canadian version of the White Helmets, or of becoming paramedics of fire-fighters—of being, in their new home, the candle that lights someone else’s darkness. These people are traumatized. But also poised and proud. And we are proud to welcome them.

Facts matter. Truth matters. Justice matters.

The fight for liberal democracy and the multilateral rules-based order that supports it also means standing up for human rights, very much including women’s rights. Even when we are told to mind our own business, or that these sensitive matters should only be discussed behind closed doors. And even when speaking up has consequences. That means standing up for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, as we have done alongside so many allies in recent weeks, in denouncing the abhorrent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Under Canada’s Magnitsky legislation, we recently imposed targeted sanctions against 17 people who, in our government’s judgment, are responsible for or complicit in Mr. Khashoggi’s murder. And until there is a transparent, credible investigation, as far as Canada is concerned, this case is not closed. Because facts matter. Truth matters. Justice matters.

Defending the rules-based multilateral order also means defending the sanctity of borders. This is the hard lesson Europe learned through two bloody world wars. And it is why you have been so steadfast in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia’s most recent actions near the Sea of Azov and in the Kerch Strait are an extremely dangerous violation of the rules-based international order. At the annual meeting of the OSCE in Milan this week, Heiko suggested expanding the existing OSCE special monitoring mission in Ukraine to cover the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. This is an excellent proposal, which Canada strongly supports.

No institution is more central to the post-war, rules-based multilateral order than the United Nations, where Canada works in close partnership with Germany. I was glad to join Heiko at a German event on Women, Peace and Security at the German mission in September. And our government has been delighted to bring Canada back to our historic role as a champion of peacekeeping, including our service right now in Mali.

The same commitment that drives us to protect the rules-based multilateral order must also drive action on the greatest challenge facing our world today: climate change. Alone, neither Canada nor Germany can do enough. But acting with the world, we can save the world.

I would like to take a moment to pay a personal tribute to a man known to many in this room, Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Ambassador to Germany and Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe. Ambassador Dion is one of the towering figures in Canadian politics. He has been a pioneer in our efforts to combat climate change. Merci Stéphane.

All of us need to ensure our domestic democratic gardens are flourishing.

Here, I would like to conclude on a personal note, with Kagan’s garden analogy. I am the daughter of a farmer. And not just any farmer. I am the daughter of a farmer in northern Alberta, in the last corner of the North American continent to be turned from forest to field. My family homesteaded, which means we were given land by the  government in exchange for clearing the bush and turning it into farmland. I remember as a child riding with my father in his tractor as he slowly plowed up the woods, using a very heavy, very narrow breaking plow, manufactured specifically for that purpose in Canada. There is no more land left to homestead in Canada, not even in northern Alberta, where my father still farms. But we do need to work diligently to maintain the garden of our national democracies. All of us—the committed liberal democracies of the world—as a first obligation, need to ensure our domestic democratic gardens are flourishing.

We are seeing a resurgence of far-right nationalists, who build their popularity by stoking hatred of “the other.” We know all too well where this can lead. We must oppose this rise with all our might. We need to accept and apologize for our own past failures too. In this, Germany is an example for us. Each country is unique in its historical unhappiness. And we, too, are grappling with the specific demons of our own history, particularly, but not only, when it comes to Indigenous peoples in Canada. As you have shown, admitting our past wrongs is not a weakness, it is a strength.

We need to defend our independent press—even, and perhaps especially, when it criticizes us—as a central institution of democracy. We politicians need to respect our judges and their independence—even, and perhaps especially, when they rule against.

We need to fight for the open society, against the closed one. We need to fight for the complexity of democratic truth, rather than the beguiling simplicity of authoritarian rhetoric. We need to build bridges and tear down walls.

Then, and only then, will we have kept the jungle from growing back.

We need to address the legitimate concerns of our people, even as we make the broader case for liberal democracy.

Now if I were still a journalist, I might be tempted to write a sarcastic column about myself tonight, pointing out that it takes no great courage to offer rousing support for the transatlantic alliance and liberal democracy to a roomful of Atlantik-Brücke guests, resplendent in our dinner jackets and gowns. After all, the preachers of hate, the angry populists of the extreme right and left, rail against groups like ours. They like to claim that the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions—the UN, the WTO, or EU—and even liberal democracy itself are elite schemes designed to benefit a small minority while marginalizing everyone else. Nothing could be further from the truth. When the jungle grows back, the weakest are the first to suffer. But is also true that in recent decades in our countries, democratic capitalism has served the 1 percent better than the 99 percent. And so, as we cultivate our own plots in the 21^st century, we must take care that they are gardens whose fruits are harvested by the many and not just the few. To do that, we need to address the legitimate concerns of our people, even as we make the broader case for liberal democracy.

I don’t know how to make that argument to the people of Germany, but here is what I say to Canadians: I know that Canadians support immigration and diversity—after all, more than half of the people in Toronto, the city I represent in Parliament, were born outside of Canada. We know that immigration is an economic strength and that multiculturalism is a fundamental Canadian value. But Canadians also want to know that our immigration system is fair and that we control our borders. It is our job, as politicians, to ensure that.

Canadians know that climate change is real and that we have a responsibility to act. But Canadians also want to keep their jobs, and to be able to afford to drive their children to hockey practice. It is our job, as politicians, to ensure that.

Canadians embrace free trade and technological innovation. But they want to be sure that the wealth these economic forces create is widely shared—and won’t leave them unemployed while enriching their bosses. It is our job, as politicians, to ensure that, too.

And it is also our job, as politicians, to confront those who would lie about our immigration system or the science of climate change or the economics of trade in an effort to sow fear and doubt for political gain. We cannot let falsehoods go unchallenged wherever they are spoken—in legislatures, on television, on social media. We must confront them.

If we can do that, we will win the fight for liberal democracy in our own countries. Our transatlantic garden will flourish and our Atlantik-Brücke will be strong.

Thank you.

Der Beitrag Chrystia Freeland: „Let’s not underestimate our collective power“ erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

[related]Explaining the choice of award winner, Friedrich Merz, Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke said: “With CETA, Canada and Europe are setting an example for transatlantic cooperation and multilateralism. Without the outstanding commitment of Chrystia Freeland, this landmark agreement would not have been concluded.” Max Warburg, member of the Atlantik-Brücke board and son of Eric Warburg (after whom the award is named), praised not only Freeland’s political achievements, but also her personal integrity: “Chrystia Freeland is unwavering in her moral principles. She demonstrates courage in confronting even powerful opponents and stands up for her values.”

In her acceptance speech, Minister Chrystia Freeland said: “Germany, the European Union, and the transatlantic alliance have been at the heart of the rules-based international order for more than 70 years. Together with its European allies, Canada continues to defend the values we hold dear, including human rights and democracy, and to promote free and fair trade as essential for maintaining peace among nations. In the case of CETA, the agreement is delivering economic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic while also pushing back against emerging threats of protectionism that we are seeing around the world.”

“Together with its European allies, Canada continues to defend the values we hold dear.”[quoter]Chrystia Freeland[/quoter]

Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pointed out in his laudation:”Chrystia Freeland has turned Canadian foreign policy into a “brand” that stands out clearly and recognizably from the rest of the diplomatic chorus. She has focused foreign policy – particularly during the G7 presidency – on clear priorities and at the same time anchored it even more strongly in multilateralism. She has taken a courageous stand against the trend towards isolationism and protectionism: For more international cooperation, not less. She is more than worthy of the Eric M. Warburg Award.”

Der Beitrag Minister Freeland honored with Warburg Award erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

By Julia von Cube and Emily Wang

At Schloss Neuhardenberg in Brandenburg, close enough to the German capital but at the same time far enough to focus on the group itself, forty-eight young professionals from government, diplomacy, academia, security, military, business, art, and sports on both sides of the Atlantic met for the 40th German-American Young Leaders Conference. The discussions were shaped by one overarching topic: In the face of both external and internal pressures, what is the future of the transatlantic partnership? What are the values that we should hold onto, and how do we adapt to new challenges like digitalization, demographic change, and a shifting world order?

Program

As the ties between the United States of America and Germany might be loosening, the debate at the U.S. Embassy Berlin with Robin S. Quinville, Deputy Chief of Mission, and moreover the talks at the Federal Foreign Office with State Minister Michelle Münterfering and Ambassador Antje Leendertse encouraged the group to take the current situation as a chance to reflect where we stand concerning our common values and standards in the transatlantic partnership. Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, MdB (Young Leader 1997) inspired this year’s cohort to look at the interests and issues that currently unite the transatlantic partners, rather than reminiscing about the past.

[related]During the week, the group of young professionals visited Axel Springer SE for a discussion with Julian Reichelt, Chairman of the BILD Editorial Offices & Editor-in-Chief of BILD and BILD Digital, followed by a tour of the publishing house’s newsrooms. In addition, a talk with Roland Jahn, Federal Commissioner for the Records of the State Security Service of the former German Democratic Republic, offered a wider understanding of the German past – not only for the American participants of the program. Exchanges with Stefan Winners, Member of Burda Digital’s Board, Hans Raffauf, co-founder and Chairman of Clue and Till Behnke, founder of nebenan.de and betterplace.org , provided insights into digital transformation in Germany. A panel discussion on migration with Professor Dr. Naika Foroutan, Director of the Berlin Institute on Integration and Migration Research (BIM), and Farhad Dilmaghani, Former State Secretary, gave an outline of the questions of social stability Germany has to tackle.

The different tone in the transatlantic partnership was the subject of several discussions and meetings. The talk with Dr. Andreas Dombret, former Member of the Board of Deutsche Bundesbank & Member of the Board of Atlantik-Brücke e.V., focused on economic stability and changes in economic transatlantic decisions. German defense priorities and transatlantic security cooperation within NATO were the topics of Major General Michael Hochwart’s visit. The keynote of Federal Minister Jens Spahn (Young Leader 2014) addressed the future of the transatlantic partnership, but also the challenges Germany faces domestically, such as immigration and integration. Spahn’s speech was part of a summer reception with Atlantik-Brücke Members and Young Leaders Alumni bridging the generations of the program.

Discussion Points

Underpinning the entire week was an informal and interpersonal exchange about the shared and differing values between the U.S. and Germany. Despite deceptively similar cultures on the surface and cultural affinity, we discussed the differing concepts and expectations of leadership. Some of the speakers encouraged the group to think carefully about what our shared values are, as large parts of both the German and the American public find the transatlantic partnership and NATO increasingly less relevant.

Security and stability were of great concern, especially in light of Trump’s heightened rhetoric against Germany and other NATO partners.

Security and stability were of great concern, especially in light of Trump’s heightened rhetoric against Germany and other NATO partners. Despite the provocative language, working level relationships appear to be strong; some even claimed stronger than before. Furthermore, there was a general consensus from speakers and participants alike that Germany should invest more heavily in its military readiness. This discussion also highlighted the diverging public opinion on the two sides of the Atlantic. Many speakers pointed to a complacency of the German public, as a generation of young people has grown up in peacetime and sees less relevance in organizations like NATO. On the American side, pithy messaging about “fairness” in defense spending has mobilized public sentiment. In either case, these trends demonstrate the need for better and more digestible messaging around the relevance of the transatlantic partnership and NATO in particular.

Many felt that China’s growing power is encroaching on American hegemony.

Another important foreign policy and security factor that was discussed was the shifting world order, especially with regards to Russia and China. In the case of Russia, speakers and participants from different industries expressed concern at its influence throughout the ex-Soviet bloc, desire to weaken the EU, skillful use of media outside of its borders, and the need for a strong NATO to deter further disruption. Many felt that China’s growing economic power and influence through One Belt, One Road and other initiatives are encroaching on American hegemony. While we debated the exact nature of China’s ascent and Russia’s ultimate intent, it became clear that the U.S. and Germany should articulate a clearer vision and strategy concerning these two countries for the future.

Both the United States and Germany face significant internal pressures including digitalization and demographic change.

In addition to a changing world order, both the United States and Germany face significant internal pressures including digitalization and demographic change. The potential influence on societies and workforces of AI and digitalization is vast. Our discussions centered on the implementation of redistributive policies, universal basic income, the role of education and, even more challenging, how to define purpose in a world with drastically fewer jobs. Demographic change calls to mind migration, but in fact includes issues like an aging and shrinking population and changing ethnic majorities. Another important point that came up was social inclusion: While our societies become more pluralistic, many still struggle to access equal opportunities.

The media’s ability to knit a society together or tear it apart was constant throughout the week. Speakers highlighted their concern at Russian propaganda in Germany and the lack of fact checking or investigation on social media.

“Privilege comes with responsibility”, one of the Young Leaders pointed out.

In response to this slew of challenges, conference participants were also focused on concrete solutions to strengthen the transatlantic relationship. Suggested projects ranged from engagement through educational institutions to using entertainment and news channels as means to educate different segments of the public on the strength of our existing bonds and the continued necessity for them. Proposals also included more formal partnerships between sister-cities and other demonstrations of the two countries’ synergies across business, science, and various industries. Lastly, we discussed the need for more civic engagement to restore trust in and excitement about the political process and democracy.

“Privilege comes with responsibility”, as one of the Young Leaders pointed out as a summary of the intensive week of debate and discussions. This is driven by the firm belief that turning the back on the transatlantic partnership is not an option.

Der Beitrag “A wake-up call” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

October 8 to 13, 2017

Over the course of six days, the Atlantik-Brücke delegation traveled to the United States and met with a diverse group of politicians, CEOs, journalists, academics, and others, in Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, DC, the nation’s capital.

Each year, a group of the organization’s members undertakes this journey to gain new insights and to strengthen the links between Germany and the United States. With a new administration in place that has new priorities,  it is even more important to persist in creating dialogue. And each year, the delegates visit Washington as well as one other American city, to get beyond the beltway bubble. This year, the group traveled to Charlotte because of its strong trade ties to Germany, as well as to experience “the new South.” This term was originally coined by the journalist Henry W. Grady and characterized the new beginning for the economy of the South after the civil war and the end of slavery. In the meantime, the term has come to refer to successful economic growth in the American South, which is also promoted by innovative technologies.

Hope for the Transatlantic Relationship

“This president was elected to be disruptive,” is a sentiment echoed multiple times over the course of the week the group spent in the US. It became obvious that there is a major battle going on within the country. President Donald Trump’s attitude reflects some of the most negative ideas in American political thinking: isolationism, populism, nativism. Similar trends can be seen in Europe right now. What is unique in the US is that President Trump is acting as an independent president – independent from the party lines and positions which puts off many within his own party. The fact that many government positions have not yet been filled makes cooperation with transatlantic partners difficult.

“This president was elected to be disruptive,” is a sentiment echoed multiple times over the course of the week the group spent in the US.

And this is dangerous. Multiple government security officials noted that states with a different view of international order than the West are becoming more powerful (read Russia and China). For the American security apparatus, they see German leadership in multilateral organizations as greatly appreciated, and would like to see more of it in Central and Eastern Europe. On an “America First” note, it was pointed out that Americans “are spending as much as 3.5% of their annual salary on other countries’ security. Germany, as one of the most prosperous countries in the world must step up its own efforts.”

Despite these tensions, the relationship between the two countries remains a vital one at many levels: individual, corporate, political, administrative. Congressman Robert Pittenger (R), the US Representative for North Carolina’s 9^th Congressional District, assured that “We love Germany. Don’t believe the media, they are not our friends.” Several high-ranking members of government noted that “nothing has actually changed. Connections are as strong as ever.” As a consolation it was repeated that the “administration is still working itself out” and that partners should not be discouraged from interacting because the behind-the-scenes work remains the same as always. It seems that those who actually carry out the work do not share President Trump’s negative opinion of working with Germany. As Ambassador Daniel Fried of the Atlantic Council pointed out, “actual US foreign policy under President Trump is in fact picking up where the Obama administration was headed in its final months.”

Trade: Leave the Washington, DC Bubble

Frances Burwell, Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council and an expert on TTIP, foreign policy and transatlantic relations, warned that “not only is the government rhetoric on trade bad, but so are the policies themselves, under this president.”

The completion of TTIP, as the group heard often, is unlikely. “TTIP Light,” an edited version of the agreement which focuses on shared standards and other regulatory questions rather than import taxes, may be possible.

There is a “big push for protectionism combined with a lack of historical sense in the highest levels of the administration,” weighing heavy on long-standing partnerships. The completion of TTIP, as the group heard often, is unlikely. “TTIP Light,” an edited version of the agreement which focuses on shared standards and other regulatory questions rather than import taxes, may be possible. But as Congressman Pittenger noted, “the president prefers independent trade agreements” which would of course fundamentally alter the premise of TTIP.

NAFTA is another matter of great concern, particularly for the Canadians. The question on the table is whether there will be an exit from NAFTA, or just a renegotiation. There are no clear answers yet. In both cases – TTIP and NAFTA – the conditions for renegotiation certainly aren’t favorable. As the motto goes, “Buy American, Hire American.” Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce, however, has shown openness to join the conversation on how TTIP can be renegotiated. He is aware of the relevance of free trade for the US economy.

[related] In the end, a form of encouragement came from those who counsel against the fixation on Donald Trump. In reaching out to politicians, civil society representatives, universities, and innovators from across the country, one can find partners and allies outside of the Washington bubble. This is exactly what became obvious during the visit to Charlotte, where one notices firsthand the effect of German businesses in the region: Siemens Energy, Daimler Trucks North America, Groninger, Bosch Rexroth, Schaeffler Group USA Inc, and 200 others, including 59 US headquarters. This makes Germany the most largely represented foreign country in the region. With daily nonstop flights to Frankfurt and Munich and an active German community, the partnership between Charlotte and Germany is thriving.

The city’s outgoing Mayor, Jennifer Roberts, presented the city’s historic links with Germany – the city was named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – but also its international nature. 18% of the city’s population is foreign-born, and the city boasts 1000 foreign companies, 200 of which have headquarters in Germany. 17% of the labor force of the city is foreign born, according to John Silvia, the chief economist of Wells Fargo, American international banking and financial services holding company. He also noted that nationally, foreign-born workers have accounted for half the growth in the labor supply over the past decade. Despite the unfavorable policies concerning foreign-born individuals living in the United States, Silvia hopes that “business is resilient, even with the fluctuation in politics.”

Preparing for Work in the Future Economy

In various meetings with the National Association of Manufacturers, the Central Piedmont Community College and its vocational training program, and the software startup Tresata, the need for change in educating a future workforce – both in the US and Germany – was very clear. Vocational training programs have been among the most successful exchanges between the two countries. The German vocational training model is well-known, but has lately been further improved by various programs in the US, some of whom have even surpassed their German counterparts.

Former and current US administrations have emphasized the need to fill the skills gap. President Trump in his meeting with Chancellor Merkel in March 2017 was joined by company representatives from the US and Germany and several young apprentices. This clearly shows that there is common ground and a common goal to advance alternative training options to fill the skills gap and offer a real opportunity for young people.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte, which currently serves 70,000 students. 20% of those students are in the College and Career Readiness Program, which offers a variety of programs to prepare students for their working careers. CPCC has offered manufacturing apprenticeships since 1995. A four-year program that guarantees a job at the end that emulates the German vocational education and training (VET) system and is primarily used by German companies located in Charlotte. To graduates, IHK Karlsruhe offers certificates of completion for equivalency in competence for automation and CNC machining, and there are student/apprentice exchanges to Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Crailsheim, and Gaggenau. Fourteen CPCC faculty are trained in Berlin at the Siemens Technik Akademie, and there are ongoing facilitator and administrator visits and courses in Germany.

Kevin Poet, director of operations at the Siemens Charlotte Energy Hub, noted that Siemens Energy has a workforce of 1,550 employees and more than one million square feet of space under one roof. It has become the largest manufacturer in Charlotte, and the third largest among the 250+ energy companies based in Charlotte. To develop a trained labor force to operate the new Siemens plant, the company began a partnership with CPCC to develop a mechatronics apprenticeship program, in 2011. By introducing the German apprenticeship model to the US, Siemens has been able to train its Charlotte workforce successfully.

Conclusion

The 2017 members trip to the United States has proven the need for regular exchange between the US and Germany. In a time of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reach out to those outside of the government bubbles in both countries, and create long-lasting relationships. This has especially seemed to be the case when it comes to preparing future generations to succeed in a new economy. The presence of German companies, individuals, and organizations in the United States greatly benefits the regions they are in, and the same is true vice versa. There is a great need now for a strong commitment to the relationship between the two countries, with a hope that it will continue into the future.

Der Beitrag The “New South”, New Skills, and Old Alliances erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Richard von Weizsäcker is an honorary member of Atlantik-Brücke and presented Eric Warburg, the namesake of the prize, with the award in 1988.

Guests that attended the ceremony included President of the German Bundestag Dr. Norbert Lammert, Chairman of the American Council on Germany Robert M. Kimmitt, Federal Minister Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, representatives of the Warburg family, and Former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who was awarded the Eric M. Warburg prize in 2012.

Der Beitrag Award Ceremony for the Eric-M.-Warburg-Prize honoring Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

In addition to the question of how the established parties should deal with the new situation, the group also discussed the strong east-west divide that had become evident in the election. On average, AfD had received more than twice as many shares in the east of Germany than in the West (with some exceptions). Precisely for this reason, more emphasis must be placed on international exchange in the new Länder. In addition, a strong, content-driven debate should be initiated in the east in particular. The participants saw reasons for the success of the AfD in many Germans’ fear of the effects of large scale on society. Another reason that was discussed was the  political constellation of the grand coalition. The positions of the CDU/CSU and SPD were difficult to distinguish for the voters. The SPD’s decision to join the opposition, announced the evening before, was discussed critically. Edelgard Bulmahn, who had no longer been a candidate for the Bundestag, also stressed the need for a new generation in the political landscape.

Finally, Ms Bulmahn raised a political issue which she considered to be particularly urgent. The former Federal Minister of Education and Research underlined the necessity for more future-oriented thinking – investments in education and science were indispensable for this.

The discussion was moderated by Sarah Kelly from Deutsche Welle.

Der Beitrag Discussion of the Election Results with the Vice President of the Bundestag erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

»Link to the American Council on Germany’s detailes conference report

»Link to the Opening Speech by Ambassador Dr. Peter Wittig

Der Beitrag German-American Conference 2016 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

From a German perspective, the integration of the topic started off with a focus on the recent process of drafting a new white paper which outlines the basis for the security and defense policy of the German government for the next ten years. A central element of the strategy is embedding German security and defense strategy into multinational cooperation – especially into NATO. From NATO’s point of view, the defense against hybrid warfare plays an increasingly important role.

The central topics of the debate were two major challenges for NATO: the crisis in Ukraine and the relationship with Russia as well as the imminent threat by the terrorist group “Islamic State” (ISIS), which primarily operates from Syria and Iraq. With its attacks in Paris, ISIS has now also hit Europe. The participants emphasized that a possible cooperation of the Western alliance with Russia against ISIS in Syria does not change the evaluation of Russia’s role in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Russia’s breech of international law when it annexed Crimea and its violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty cannot be tolerated. As a consequence, NATO has increased its bilateral and multilateral exercise maneuvers ever since the summit in Wales. NATO has also initiated more than 40 projects for the collective defense in the eastern regions of the alliance and strengthened its infrastructure, especially to reassure its Baltic partners. NATO aims to further enhance the transparency of its strategy to communicate its actions and the defensive character of the alliance more clearly to the public.

With regards to the fight against ISIS, the need for a political solution was emphasized. Financial sources of the terrorists need to be cut off and political leadership in the Middle East and moderate Islamic clerics need to be strengthened and supported. The possibilities for military support are very limited. Such an approach should includethe European Union and civil society organizations, as well. The cooperation between NATO and the EU in Kosovo was given as an example. In light of the Paris attacks, it was debated which options the Lisbon treaty offers and which consequences may arise: Article 42.7, which may cause a declaration of the EU mutual defense clause, or the solidarity clause of Article 188r, which calls for the support of EU member states hit by a terrorist attack.
Further topics that were discussed included the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw and NATO enlargement.
Matthias Naß, international correspondent at DIE ZEIT, moderated the discussion.

Der Beitrag Between the Conflict in Ukraine and the Threat of ISIS erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Among the guest speakers were Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, MEP (ALDE), Jonathan Parish, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, Dr. Jamie Shea, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, Dr. Peter Boehm, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, Helga Schmid, Deputy Secretary General & Political Director, European External Action Service, and Kerry Buck, Political Director and Assistant Deputy Minister, International Security and Political Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.

The conference was hosted by Alan Bowman, Deputy Head of Mission, Mission of Canada to the European Union, Ambassador Reinhard Silberberg, Permanent Representative of the German Republic to the European Union, Michael Hinterdobler, Head of the Bavarian Mission to the European Union, Ambassador Martin Erdmann, Permanent Representative of Germany to NATO, and Dr. Marc Jan Eumann, State Secretary for Federal Affairs, Europe and Media of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The German-Canadian Conference is carried out in cooperation with the Atlantik-Bruecke Canada.

Der Beitrag German Canadian Conference 2015 “Foreign and Security Policy” erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Der Beitrag Young Leaders Conference in Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Der Beitrag German-American Young Leaders Conference 2016 erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..

Forty-seven participants with diverse professional backgrounds from Germany and the United States met with high-level guest speakers, exchanged views and shared their expertise in working groups, and enjoyed manifold networking opportunities. One highlight of the conference was a trip to Washington, DC, with stops at the White House, the U.S. Senate, the Brookings Institution, and the German Embassy. Throughout the week, working groups led by the Young Leaders themselves addressed a range of topics from the realm of foreign and security policy as well as economic policy. One session was devoted to the field of digital entrepreneurship and innovation, and a lively Fishbowl discussion revolved around the state of transatlantic relations. The conference concluded with a visit to the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, marking yet another highlight of the week.

Among the many guest speakers were Dr. Charles Kupchan, Senior Director for European Affairs on the National Security Council, U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy; Professor Peter Neumann, Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College London; Elmar Theveßen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of ZDF German TV; and James Townsend, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy at the Pentagon.

By the time they bid each other farewell, the 2015 Young Leaders had formed friendships and built new ties across the Atlantic.

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