Roundtables

Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin on Post-Lisbon Europe

The Honorable Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland addressed the second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the impact the European Union has had on Ireland, and the significance of the Treaty for the transatlantic relationship. He highlighted the importance of climate change, energy security and the economy as key global issues the European Union continues to tackle. Underlining the need for a coherent European voice to drive global policy on critical matters, he noted that the European Union is an evolutionary process and that now is the time for the EU to emerge with a unified vision for progress.

 

Russia-EU-U.S. Triangular Relations

On the occasion of the annual Ambassadors’ Dinner, The European Institute launched a new initiative on Russia-EU-U.S. Triangular Relations. The fluidity and complexity of common strategic, economic, energy and environmental challenges can best be met through effective triangular cooperation. His Excellency Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, His Excellency Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo, Ambassador of Spain to the United States and Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the U.S. State Department Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy offered their assessments of the prospects for stronger triangular cooperation.

Read more...
 

Next Generation Air Traffic Management Systems

Nigel Makins, EUROCONTROL’s SESAR/NextGen Liaison to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Kevin Chamness, Manager of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Global Forums, ATO International Strategy and Performance at the FAA discussed advancements in air traffic management, transatlantic cooperation and issues in development and implementation. The political aspects of cooperation as well as the more technical requirements of developing and implementing a next generation system for air traffic management were discussed. The growing need for modernization of air traffic systems, and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents for the global community were at the center of the conversations. John Fischer, a Specialist in Transportation at the Congressional Research Center moderated the discussion.
 

Prospects for the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen and U.S. Energy and Climate Legislation

On Tuesday December 1, 2009, The European Institute, in cooperation with the Royal Danish Embassy, convened a meeting to address prospects for the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference and U.S. energy and environment policy. While expectations for the conference to achieve real success have fallen recently, the experts who addressed the two panel seminar all concurred that this conference is an essential step towards securing effective climate change legislation.

Read more...
 

Challenges and Opportunities in the Communications Sector: Investment, Access and Competition

Ed Richards, Chief Executive Officer at the United Kingsom’s Office of Communications (OFCOM) and Blair Levin, Executive Director, Omnibus Broadband Initiative at the Federal Communications Commission addressed issues related to the growing global push for universal broadband access, national investment in expanding communications infrastructure and the challenge of encouraging competition. As national governments look for ways to encourage recovery and sustain long term growth, expanding broadband coverage and promoting the communications market is increasingly crucial. Christopher Boam, Director of International Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at Verizon Communications moderated the discussion and a lively question and answer period.

 
  • Organized Labor in U.S. and Germany—Will it Survive?

    By Michael Mosettig

    To the union leaders who occupy offices inside, the big white building just north of Lafayette Square in Washington is known as The House of Labor. Encased on marble, with a view of the White House, it exudes the power that once belonged to leaders of American labor unions to help pick and elect Democratic Party presidents and push their agendas through Congress.

    Read more ...

UMD Jean Monnet Research Project

Infrastructure Planning and Financing: Lessons from Europe and the United States

The University of Maryland has received a Jean Monnet grant from the EU to conduct a series of policy exchanges between Europe and the US on filling infrastructure needs and the utility of public/private partnerships as the financing mechanism. If interested in participating in or receiving more information about these exchanges, please contact Rye McKenzie (rmckenzi@umd.edu).

Read more ...

New from the Bertelsmann Foundation

The Bertelsmann Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC with a transatlantic perspective on global challenges.

"Brussels & Berlin | October 2020e" by Nathan Crist

"Trade War 2020" by Emily Hruban

 

Summer Course