Center News

Dr. Marc Vanheukelen
25 March 2009 – 2-3:30pm

The EUCE at Georgia Tech was honored to welcome Dr. Marc Vanheukelen, Head of Unit for EU Relations with the United States and Canada, Directorate General for External Relations, European Commission, on March 25, 2009, for a public talk on EU-US relations. The day began with a lunch at The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs with Dr. Vanheukelen, EUCE staff, as well as a group of graduate students from Troy University (Alabama) led by Dr. Charles Krupnick, an EU specialist and Chair of Troy University’s Department of Political Science. Conversation topics ranged from the current political climate in the United States to the fate of the Lisbon Treaty. The intimate and informal setting of the lunch allowed for a meaningful exchange of opinions on the state of transatlantic relations.

Following lunch, Dr. Vanheukelen gave a public talk at the Georgia Tech Library. The presentation provided a brief summary of the history of EU-US relations and current issues where the EU and US have similar and diverging views, highlighting both economic and security challenges. A lively Q&A session followed where topics included the upcoming EU parliamentary elections and EU decision-making processes and debates over future enlargements. Dr. Vanheukelen expressed his hope that the EU and the US would show collective leadership and resolve in tackling climate change and the growing instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

To view his talk, please click here

Presentation and Discussion by Ambassador Henry A. Crumpton, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State
24 Mar 2009 – 12pm

The EUCE was pleased to collaborate with the Institute of Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ILE) and the College of Management at GT to welcome Mr. Henry A. Crumpton, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State, for a special presentation on 24 March 2009. The EUCE coordinated with the Center for International Strategy, Technology and Policy (CISTP) to ensure that current MacArthur Fellows were able to attend and participate in Mr. Crumpton’s informative talk on multi-lateral approaches to counterterrorism strategy.

Dr. Vivien A. Schmidt, Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration, Professor of International Relations at Boston University
26 Feb 2009 – 11am-12:30pm

In recognition of the French Presidency of the EU during the last half of 2008, the EUCE, together with the French Consulate General, was most pleased to host a talk by Dr. Vivien Schmidt, the Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Boston University.

During her two-day visit to Atlanta, Professor Schmidt, a prominent scholar of French and European politics, was a guest of honor for a dinner held at the residence of the Consul General where she spoke with invited guests about the role of France in the EU. Dr. Schmidt also had lunch with graduate students and EUCE interns and gave a public lecture.

In her talk, “Re-Envisioning Europe: Democracy, Economy, Identity,” Dr. Schmidt discussed how EU integration has fundamentally transformed Member States’ economies and impacted their domestic politics. These changes, along with the evolution and expanding power of EU institutions, have substantially altered the European political landscape. Other topics Dr. Schmidt addressed included the public’s reaction to increasing economic liberalization, the impact of enlargement, and the external relations of the EU.

Download Paper

Mr. Walter Hirche
Mr. Stephan Kapferer
Co-Sponsored by the German Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S.
24 Feb 2009 – 4-5pm

The EUCE was proud to partner with the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S. to host Mr. Stephan Kapferer, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Employment and Transportation of Niedersachsen, and Mr. Walter Hirche, Former Minister of Economics, Labor and Transport for Niedersachsen, Germany. Mr. Hirche gave a talk titled, “Mobility in Niedersachsen,” and a Q & A that followed with both Mr. Hirche and Mr. Kapferer. Mr. Hirche and Mr. Kapferer were among a delegation of entrepreneurs and representatives of businesses from Niedersachsen that traveled through the Southern US (Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina) from 22-28 February 2009. Stefan Kapferer, Secretary of State of the Ministry for Economics, Labor and Transport of Niedersachsen, led the delegation, whose purpose was to strengthen the traditionally good business contacts and political relations between the German state of Niedersachsen and the United States, as well as to promote the advantages of Niedersachsen as a location for business development in the heart of Europe and to promote its innovative companies.

Stephanie Blochinger and Colby Mangels
20-21 Feb 2009

The Model European Union (MEU) is a simulation exercise on the decision-making process of the European Union. Participants play the roles of EU ministers for various member states, as well as members of the European Parliament, to earn a comprehensive understanding of the legislative process of the European Union.

On February 20-21, 2009, two Georgia Tech students participated in the University of Pittsburgh’s Model European Union Conference. Colby Mangels and Stephanie Blochinger, both International Affairs majors, represented Georgia Tech with pride as they received an award for their portrayal of the country of Slovenia. EUCE Director, Dr.Vicki Birchfield, expressed her congratulations to both Stephanie and Colby and noted that their award-winning performance helps to maintain Georgia Tech’s strong reputation in this important annual conference. Just last year, Clayton Skinner (Class of 2008) represented France and brought home an award for best representation of a large country, so Colby and Stephanie’s performance help to continue a legacy of excellence for Georgia Tech

The conference simulated the Spring 2007 Council Summit, which was held during the German Presidency. Topics addressed included the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, improved economic regulation, and the integrated climate and energy policy. Students represented the member states as the Head of State and political attachés.

Friday night began with a provocative talk by Michito Tsuruoka, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the US, on why the EU matters to the world, followed by the opening plenary session where discussion took place over the Lisbon Strategy. The next day included a series of sessions where debates continued and resolutions were passed.

Stephanie Blochinger, a senior and current intern at the European Union Center of Excellence at GA Tech noted, “the conference provided an insightful view into the world of EU policy making as well as further developing our knowledge of EU policies.” Colby Mangels agreed and added that “overall the best part of the Model EU competition was hearing the opinions and discourses of the other students, within a forum that allowed for a lively debate and discussion of very pertinent policies to today’s EU governance.”

All 27 members of the EU were represented by the following universities: University of Pittsburgh-Oakland, University of Pittsburgh- Johnstown, Bowling Green University, Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Washington and Jefferson College, and East Stroudsburg University. Awards were given to two large countries, three small countries, and two honorable mentions.

Dr. Wilfried Prewo
5 February 2009 – 11:30am-1pm

In cooperation with the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., the EUCE hosted Dr. Wilfried Prewo, President of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce on February 5, 2009. Dr. Prewo gave a lecture at the LeCraw Auditrorium at Georgia Tech on the German management strategy for the current world-wide financial crisis.

Dr. Prewo described how Germany has different obstacles than the United States because the export and investment industries are the primary effective sectors of the German economy. Germany’s large industrial base heavily relies on exports and therefore has a different outlook on solutions to this crisis. Instead of looking domestically to spur the economy Dr. Prewo suggested that Germany follow a strategy of continued free trade and efforts to rebuild investor confidence. Dr. Prewo suggested that this strategy was not a quick fix and that government spending could not fix the problem but that trust had to be restored. The reforms that Germany enacted from 2002 – 2005 have allowed the country to fair better during the crisis than most of its neighbors. Dr. Prewo believes that the current protectionist trend taken by the United States and other European countries will only deepen the financial crisis.

In cooperation with the Istanbul Center in Atlanta, the EUCE hosted Turkey’s Vice-President of Political and Legal Affairs for the Justice and Development Party or the White Party (AK) Professor Cuneyt Yuksel, as well as a member of Turkish Parliament, on Monday, February 2, 2009. These distinguished guests lectured before a full room of students, professors, and business professionals on Turkey’s current goal of joining the European Union.

Professor Yuksel’s lecture centered around European Union – Turkish Relations and the difficulties facing Turkey as the country attempts to become a member of the European Union. Professor Yuksel stated that “...membership in the EU has always been a strategic objective [of Turkey]...” and that Turkey has undergone a “silent revolution” for the past seven years through legal and economic reforms to meet the Copenhagen criteria. Then, Prof. Yuksel identified the current problems Turkey faces domestically and internationally concerning membership to the European Union. Domestically citizens are becoming more pessimistic that Turkey will be admitted to the EU and Prof. Yuksel also acknowledged the issues with Cyprus and Armenia that must be faced before membership can be obtained. Despite the domestic pessimism expressed, Prof. Yuksel expressed optimism toward Turkey’s admission to the European Union and cited that Turkey would be a valuable admission to the EU. Prof. Yuksel also mentioned that Europe could greatly benefit with the admission of Turkey through expanding the EU’s “unity through diversity.” Prof. Yuksel is the Vice – President of the Political and Legal Affairs Department for the AK Party of Turkey and a member of both the European Union Harmonization Committee and the Turkey – European Union Joint Parliamentary Commission.

Reinhard Bütikofer
10 December 2008

In association with the German American Chamber of Commerce and the American Council on Germany, the EUCE at GT co-sponsored a discussion and lunch with Reinhard Bütikofer, former chairman of the Alliance 90/Green Party of Germany on December 10, 2008.

Dr. Lutz Görgens, Consul General of Germany, introduced Mr. Bütikofer as a rare politician whose experience and broad influence has shaped environmental debates at almost all levels of government. Mr Bütikofer has also consulted with members of the U.S. Congress and is hopeful about the Obama Administration’s commitment to more sustainable and environmentally friendly policies.

Mr. Bütikofer led a discussion titled, “A Green New Deal for the Economy and the Climate Challenge.” The discussion proposed the idea of expanding “green” programs and industry in the United States based upon the experiences and lessons learned by Europe and Germany. Mr. Bütikofer proposed combining answers to the economic crisis with those of the environmental crisis that we currently face. By managing and reducing non-renewable energy and adopting European Union standards of environmental regulations, the United States could reduce its environmental footprint and also create more jobs and revitalize the economy. Mr. Bütikofer also proposed the adoption of a Renewable Growth Alliance between the United States and the European Union as well as promoting more innovation in regard to “green” technologies. The discussion included lunch and a Q & A session in which roughly fifty students, faculty and business professionals attended. Mr. Bütikofer successfully ran for a seat in the most recent European Parliament elections representing the European Green Party.

The Georgia Institute of Technology partnered with the European Commission, the French Embassy and the National Science Foundation to host the EU/US Research and Education Workshop on November 17-18, 2008. The workshop was designed to enable participants to achieve a common understanding of the situation and main trends, identify key obstacles to increasing transatlantic mobility of students and researchers, and discover ways and means for strengthening the exchange of scientists and engineers between the EU and the United States in quantitative and qualitative terms.

Key questions that the workshop addressed included the following: How to stimulate the development of transatlantic degrees to attract more talented young people into science careers? What innovative curricula are needed to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in global R&D careers? What scientist mobility schemes can best contribute to the building of lasting transatlantic networks of excellence? How the transatlantic mobility of scientists can best contribute to innovation in a global context?

Presentations from the workshop are available on the web at:
http://www.dlpe.gatech.edu/EUUS-Workshop/presentations.php and videos of the keynote speeches and the panel discussions are available at: http://www.dlpe.gatech.edu/EUUS-Workshop/webcast.php.

The break out discussion groups presented their findings and recommendations to the participants on 18 November 2009.

Giovanna Dell'Orto
13 November 2008 – 11:30am-1:00pm

Following the 2008 US Presidential election the EUCE hosted Giovanna Dell'Orto, an Italian journalist, professor of journalism at the University of Minnesota, and author of The Hidden Power of the American Dream: Why Europe's Shaken Confidence in the United States Threatens the Future of U.S. Influence.

She spoke to approximately 20 students and faculty about the implications of the US election for transatlantic relations. As compared to the 2004 and 2006 elections, Dell'Orto argued that Europe's journalistic discourse suggests that European attitudes about the US are more negative than others argue: if the election of Barrack Obama signals "salvation" for the US, then this signals a dismal current opinion of the US.