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..

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..

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..

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..

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..

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..

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..

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..

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..

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..

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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.

Der Beitrag 37th German-American Young Leaders Conference erschien zuerst auf Atlantik-Brücke e.V..