Transatlantic Bridge Conference
2024 Transatlantic Bridge Conference: Forging Stronger Europe-U.S. Ties
This year’s theme, "Navigating the Transatlantic Relationship in a Rapidly Changing Global Landscape," was especially timely given the recent EU parliamentary elections and the upcoming U.S. elections. Discussions covered critical topics such as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U.S.-China strategic competition, and the ethical dilemmas posed by technological advancements.
The conference aimed not only to assess current tensions but also to identify opportunities for innovation and collaboration. By bringing together experts from various fields, the Transatlantic Bridge Conference underscored the enduring significance of the Europe-U.S. relationship in navigating the complexities of the modern world.
Participants, including government officials, journalists, distinguished faculty, and corporate executives from across the globe, engaged in these critical discussions to foster a common understanding of the threats we face and build the relationships necessary to shape a united response.
The conference featured insights from the leadership of the four schools
Renaud Dehousse, Rector of SAIS Europe, and James B. Steinberg, Dean of SAIS, emphasized the importance of the transatlantic partnership for global peace and prosperity. "In the complex global scenario," declared Renaud Dehousse, "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." James B. Steinberg added, "The transatlantic partnership is fundamental to global peace and prosperity. 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. Johns Hopkins SAIS is proud to play a part in convening leading thinkers and practitioners to help shape the future of this vital relationship.“
“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. 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.
Arancha Gonzalez, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po added: "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. 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 is extremely important and we are very happy to be doing this with our excellent partners from Yale, SAIS and Sciences Po."