The 2024 Transatlantic Conference Explores Prospects for Europe-U.S. Strategic Cooperation in Tech, Defense and Security, and Energy
Bologna, Italy, June 11, 2024 – Prospects for Europe-U.S. cooperation in technology, defense and security, energy, and strategic foresight will lie at the heart of the debate at the Transatlantic Conference, an event co-hosted by IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), and Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs. The 3-day gathering beginning on Friday, June 14th will take place at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe campus in Bologna, Italy.
This annual gathering, which began in 2018, is now at its third edition under the theme “Navigating the Transatlantic Relationship in a Rapidly Changing Global Landscape.” This year, the conference gains particular relevance as it comes at a critical juncture, with the EU parliamentary elections just concluded and the U.S. elections entering a heated period.
"In the complex global scenario," declared Renaud Dehousse, Rector of SAIS Europe, "it is essential to create opportunities for dialogue and in-depth analysis of the future. Bologna is at the center, both physically and metaphorically, of the 'Transatlantic Bridge' between the East and the West, and it is on this principle that we at SAIS Europe are pleased to provide the platform for this important conference this year." “The transatlantic partnership is fundamental to global peace and prosperity,” added James B. Steinberg, Dean of SAIS.
"In a dynamic and rapidly evolving world, our shared commitment to cooperation is essential to meeting the major geopolitical challenges and opportunities of our time."
James B. Steinberg, Dean of SAIS
"Johns Hopkins SAIS is proud to play a part in convening leading thinkers and practitioners to help shape the future of this vital relationship."
The last decade has witnessed a surge in complex geopolitical tensions that present substantial challenges to the world order. Current tensions stem from a variety of sources, including the continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, and the deepening strategic competition between the United States and China. Against a backdrop of escalating conflicts, existing structures of global governance have come under increasing stress, both because of their inherent limitations in the face of new challenges, and in part due to purposeful subversion by malign actors.
2024 is set to become a pivotal year for Europe, the United States, and the world and elections on both sides of the Atlantic have contributed to the underlying uncertainty. The trans-Atlantic relationship is in flux. America, eyeing an increasingly militant China, a turbulent Middle East, and a bitter, revanchist Russia, is unsure of its priorities. Europe, facing mounting security challenges, economic woes, and the rise of populism, ponders strategic autonomy, even as it fears American abandonment. Climate change looms heavily in the background.
The picture is not all bleak, however. Finland and Sweden have acceded to NATO, which looks more formidable than ever. Europeans are beginning to spend more on their defense. Ukraine, though battered, continues to resist the Kremlin’s aggression. Technological breakthroughs, including in Artificial Intelligence, present hitherto unthinkable opportunities for bettering the world, even as they pose unique ethical and regulatory dilemmas. Questions remain on what the objectives of this rebooted relationship should be in a world where the rules-based international order is challenged by China and Russia, and Europe is still attempting to define its role on the global stage.
"What unites us across the Atlantic goes beyond economics and security: European and American citizens have shared the same values on democracy and self-government, and aspirations towards peace and individual freedom for close to two and a half centuries now."
Jim Levinsohn, Dean of the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs
"The last few years, these values have been under attack, by tanks and artillery as much as through disinformation. Our adversaries have made our shared destiny, long aspirational, a necessity for survival. This conference brings together today's thinkers, analysts and policy makers from both sides of the Atlantic, with the goal to foster a common understanding of the threats we face and build the relationships necessary to shape a united response. As a professional school focused on educating future leading policymakers, the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs is proud to nurture and strengthen these important dialogues,” said Jim Levinsohn, Dean of the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs.
"Strong academic bridges are an essential component of the transatlantic relationship. By deploying our intellectual and convening capacity we can contribute to advancing solutions to our common challenges."
Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po
"As Europeans and Americans go to the polls, in a world where instability and conflicts are spreading, Sciences Po is proud to work with its partners to help build resilience."
Manuel Muñiz, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs, highlighted: “this year is pivotal for transatlantic relations. With elections in Europe and the US, the nature and substance of the transatlantic partnership will be shaped for years to come. Discussing how Europe and the US should address the challenge of the Ukraine war, or that in Gaza, or how to manage the rise of China is paramount. Additionally, the economic partnership across the Atlantic, which is the world's most important economic relationship, is also under strain. Bringing together experts and practitioners to discuss these matters, as we did in March with the Transatlantic Bridge Strategic Foresight Workshop in Madrid, is extremely important and we are very happy to be doing this with our excellent partners from Yale, SAIS and Sciences Po."
The purpose of this annual conference of the Trans-Atlantic Bridge is to consider these and other developments in their regional and global contexts, and explore their salience for the future of Europe, the West, and the broader world. Participants, including government officials, journalists, distinguished faculty, and corporate executives from across the globe, will engage in these critical discussions.
"This year is pivotal for transatlantic relations. With elections in Europe and the US, the nature and substance of the transatlantic partnership will be shaped for years to come. Discussing how Europe and the US should address the challenge of the Ukraine war, or that in Gaza, or how to manage the rise of China is paramount."
Manuel Muñiz, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs
About Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a global institution that offers students an international perspective on today's critical issues. For eight decades, Johns Hopkins SAIS has produced great leaders, thinkers, and practitioners of international relations. Public leaders and private sector executives alike seek the counsel of the faculty, whose ideas and research inform and shape policy. Johns Hopkins SAIS offers a global perspective across three campus locations: Bologna, Italy; Nanjing, China; and Washington, D.C. The school's interdisciplinary curriculum is strongly rooted in the study of international economics, international relations, and regional studies, preparing students to address multifaceted challenges in the world today.
About IE University
IE University promotes positive change through education, research and innovation. The academic institution offers a technology-based learning ecosystem for leaders who make a difference in the world with global vision, an entrepreneurial mindset, respect for diversity and sustainability, and a unique focus on the humanities. The institution has a faculty of more than 500 professors who teach students from more than 140 countries in undergraduate, master's and executive education programs. IE University's platform of more than 75,000 alumni is present in 180 countries. Within IE University, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs is a global reference for innovation in its academic fields, committed to training the next generation of global leaders. The school equips professionals with the tools to navigate complex global affairs, excel in organizational management, and occupy prominent positions within international entities.
About Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs
PSIA is a world leader in international affairs and contributes significantly to Sciences Po’s continuous ranking amongst the top 3 institutions globally for “politics and international studies” since 2019 by the QS ranking. The School attracts a diverse community of students representing more than 110 nationalities. PSIA offers specialized Master's programs and a wide range of thematic and regional concentrations, students personalize their academic curriculum. World-renowned professors and practitioners teach specialist courses that balance current scholarship with the most up-to-date operational training. PSIA students have regular opportunities to challenge and engage with world leaders and scholars through public events. Graduates are well-positioned to pursue high-profile careers in international affairs and work across the globe and in all sectors.
About Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs
Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs prepares Yale students for global leadership and service through its master’s program in public policy in global affairs, master of advanced study in global affairs, and undergraduate major in global affairs. The first new professional school created at Yale since 1976, the Jackson School builds on Yale’s centuries long tradition of educating leaders. Yale’s graduates include U.S. presidents, U.S. Secretaries of State, foreign heads of state, ambassadors, and leaders of private and non-profit enterprises that contribute to the public good. Prior to becoming a stand-alone professional school in 2022, the Jackson School was known as the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. The institute was founded in 2010 after a transformative gift from John W. ’67 and Susan G. Jackson in 2009.