Events / Program: Europe’s Futures

	Title	Date	Type	Speakers	Register
	Shifting Sands: The Lure of “Alignments a la Carte” and the True Meaning of “America is Back”	Tue, 25.01.2022	Lecture	Soli Özel Ivan Krastev		Shifting Sands: The Lure of “Alignments a la Carte” and the True Meaning of “America is Back” Tue, 25.01.2022 Speakers: Soli Özel Ivan Krastev Series: Lecture Because the Trump administration was such a harrowing experience for most European countries, for the EU itself and many others around the world the election of Joe Biden resulted in a deep sigh of relief. In power, Biden moved fast domestically and talked the good talk towards allies in various platforms. Yet, nearly ten months into his term Biden’s policies suggest a surprising degree of continuity with his immediate predecessor. He is also finally putting more substance into President Obama’s “pivot to Asia” strategy. In an age when the United States turns its attention and most of its resources to competing with China and containing Beijing’s ambition, what is Europe to do? In light of the American nonchalance about European allies, is the “strategic autonomy” championed by President Macron of France the way out? Should Europeans really choose between China and the US as Washington clearly wants them to? Would German disdain for claiming strategic leadership and the Europeans’ own complacency turn Europe into a geopolitical void? The new era in international relations is full of surprises and fluidity. Nimble political reflexes and strategic will are of utmost importance. Will the EU deploy them where it can and must? Read more
Shifting Sands: The Lure of “Alignments a la Carte” and the True Meaning of “America is Back” Tue, 25.01.2022 Speakers: Soli Özel Ivan Krastev Series: Lecture Because the Trump administration was such a harrowing experience for most European countries, for the EU itself and many others around the world the election of Joe Biden resulted in a deep sigh of relief. In power, Biden moved fast domestically and talked the good talk towards allies in various platforms. Yet, nearly ten months into his term Biden’s policies suggest a surprising degree of continuity with his immediate predecessor. He is also finally putting more substance into President Obama’s “pivot to Asia” strategy. In an age when the United States turns its attention and most of its resources to competing with China and containing Beijing’s ambition, what is Europe to do? In light of the American nonchalance about European allies, is the “strategic autonomy” championed by President Macron of France the way out? Should Europeans really choose between China and the US as Washington clearly wants them to? Would German disdain for claiming strategic leadership and the Europeans’ own complacency turn Europe into a geopolitical void? The new era in international relations is full of surprises and fluidity. Nimble political reflexes and strategic will are of utmost importance. Will the EU deploy them where it can and must? Read more
	The Future of Belarus in Europe	Tue, 23.11.2021	Panels and Discussions	Katherine Younger Wojciech PrzybylskiSviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Christian Ultsch, Franak Viačorka		The Future of Belarus in Europe Tue, 23.11.2021 Speakers: Katherine Younger Wojciech PrzybylskiSviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Christian Ultsch, Franak Viačorka Series: Panels and Discussions What is the place of Belarus on the Western political agenda? How does the current situation impinge on future cooperation? Over the past year Belarus has made its mark Europeans’ mental map as a country with a vibrant civil society and the potential for democratic change. Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s authoritarian regime, in power for the last 27 years, has thwarted every attempt at change. He lost the presidential election in August 2020 and is holding society hostage domestically. He has also begun to threaten the EU. Unprecedented pressure is being put on the European block through the weaponization of refugees and migrants from MENA countries, who are brought on purpose to the borders of the EU by the regime. The European Union is seeking ways to respond to this most serious of challenges. That response entails weighing risks and opportunities for the future of the continent. What will the future hold for Belarus in Europe? Read more
The Future of Belarus in Europe Tue, 23.11.2021 Speakers: Katherine Younger Wojciech PrzybylskiSviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Christian Ultsch, Franak Viačorka Series: Panels and Discussions What is the place of Belarus on the Western political agenda? How does the current situation impinge on future cooperation? Over the past year Belarus has made its mark Europeans’ mental map as a country with a vibrant civil society and the potential for democratic change. Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s authoritarian regime, in power for the last 27 years, has thwarted every attempt at change. He lost the presidential election in August 2020 and is holding society hostage domestically. He has also begun to threaten the EU. Unprecedented pressure is being put on the European block through the weaponization of refugees and migrants from MENA countries, who are brought on purpose to the borders of the EU by the regime. The European Union is seeking ways to respond to this most serious of challenges. That response entails weighing risks and opportunities for the future of the continent. What will the future hold for Belarus in Europe? Read more
	The German Elections and Europe's Future	Thu, 30.09.2021	Panels and Discussions	Ivan Vejvoda Olivia Lazard Valbona Zeneli Zoran NechevRoderick Parkes		The German Elections and Europe's Future Thu, 30.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Olivia Lazard Valbona Zeneli Zoran NechevRoderick Parkes Series: Panels and Discussions The panel addressed the results of the elections from three regions of Europe by researchers who are this year's Europe's Futures Fellows, together with a view from Berlin offered by the research director of the German Council for Foreign Relations DGAP. Read more
The German Elections and Europe's Future Thu, 30.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Olivia Lazard Valbona Zeneli Zoran NechevRoderick Parkes Series: Panels and Discussions The panel addressed the results of the elections from three regions of Europe by researchers who are this year's Europe's Futures Fellows, together with a view from Berlin offered by the research director of the German Council for Foreign Relations DGAP. Read more
	Europe's Futures Colloquium	Tue, 28.09.2021	Seminars and Colloquia	Ivan Vejvoda Soli Özel Valbona Zeneli		Europe's Futures Colloquium Tue, 28.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Soli Özel Valbona Zeneli Series: Seminars and Colloquia The Transatlantic relationship between Europe and the United States is being challenged in a variety of ways. The situation in Southeastern Europe and Turkey adds to this complexity but also opens alleys for cooperation. Foreign malign influence is growing in the candidate-countries of the Western Balkans, highlighting the vacuum and the economic, security and environmental risks created after the recent “deepening-before-widening [of the European Union]” policy shift that has put the accession processes on hold. In the immediate vicinity, Turkey has been going through cycles of internal and external conflicts that have further strained relations with the European Union already damaged by the effective removal of Turkey’s accession prospects. This session offered detailed insight and expert views from two of 2021-22 Europe’s Futures Fellows, Valbona Zeneli and Soli Özel. In a conversation facilitated by Ivan Vejvoda, they examined the routes for the Western Balkans’ candidate-countries to be drawn closer – and in - to the European Union, as well as the likely scenarios for future political developments in Turkey. Read more
Europe's Futures Colloquium Tue, 28.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Soli Özel Valbona Zeneli Series: Seminars and Colloquia The Transatlantic relationship between Europe and the United States is being challenged in a variety of ways. The situation in Southeastern Europe and Turkey adds to this complexity but also opens alleys for cooperation. Foreign malign influence is growing in the candidate-countries of the Western Balkans, highlighting the vacuum and the economic, security and environmental risks created after the recent “deepening-before-widening [of the European Union]” policy shift that has put the accession processes on hold. In the immediate vicinity, Turkey has been going through cycles of internal and external conflicts that have further strained relations with the European Union already damaged by the effective removal of Turkey’s accession prospects. This session offered detailed insight and expert views from two of 2021-22 Europe’s Futures Fellows, Valbona Zeneli and Soli Özel. In a conversation facilitated by Ivan Vejvoda, they examined the routes for the Western Balkans’ candidate-countries to be drawn closer – and in - to the European Union, as well as the likely scenarios for future political developments in Turkey. Read more
	Europe's Futures Colloquium	Tue, 21.09.2021	Seminars and Colloquia	Ivan Vejvoda Janka Oertel Olivia Lazard	Register here	Europe's Futures Colloquium Tue, 21.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Janka Oertel Olivia Lazard Series: Seminars and Colloquia The European Union stands at a critical juncture in terms of the Green agenda. In a complex geopolitical environment it aims among other to externalise its Green Deal - the most advanced political and technical proposal to chart a path torward a regional climate transition. Key in this overall geopolitical environment is the question: how far is China ready to go forward on its recently stated commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060 (President Xi Jinping’s statement at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2020). How can the EU's Green Agenda Go Global? How to best manage and mitigate the impact of China’s new role as a competitor also on the green transition? What does the European Union need to do to project its vision and values on these issues? Read more
Europe's Futures Colloquium Tue, 21.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Janka Oertel Olivia Lazard Series: Seminars and Colloquia The European Union stands at a critical juncture in terms of the Green agenda. In a complex geopolitical environment it aims among other to externalise its Green Deal - the most advanced political and technical proposal to chart a path torward a regional climate transition. Key in this overall geopolitical environment is the question: how far is China ready to go forward on its recently stated commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060 (President Xi Jinping’s statement at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2020). How can the EU's Green Agenda Go Global? How to best manage and mitigate the impact of China’s new role as a competitor also on the green transition? What does the European Union need to do to project its vision and values on these issues? Read more
	Europe's Futures Colloquium	Tue, 14.09.2021	Seminars and Colloquia	Amanda Coakley Zoran Nechev	Register Here	Europe's Futures Colloquium Tue, 14.09.2021 Speakers: Amanda Coakley Zoran Nechev Series: Seminars and Colloquia The second Europe’s Futures Fellows Colloquium explored the impact of growing ultraconservatism and pro-natalist policies in Central Europe on women's reproductive rights. Furthermore, it scoped different perceptions of what strategic action by the European Union should or should not encompass and mapped different national understandings of EU’s actions in North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania in order to find out how these aspiring members can best position themselves vis-à-vis the EU. Read more
Europe's Futures Colloquium Tue, 14.09.2021 Speakers: Amanda Coakley Zoran Nechev Series: Seminars and Colloquia The second Europe’s Futures Fellows Colloquium explored the impact of growing ultraconservatism and pro-natalist policies in Central Europe on women's reproductive rights. Furthermore, it scoped different perceptions of what strategic action by the European Union should or should not encompass and mapped different national understandings of EU’s actions in North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania in order to find out how these aspiring members can best position themselves vis-à-vis the EU. Read more
	Europe’s Futures Colloquium	Wed, 08.09.2021	Seminars and Colloquia	Ivan Vejvoda Oana Popescu-Zamfir Wojciech Przybylski	Register Here	Europe’s Futures Colloquium Wed, 08.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Oana Popescu-Zamfir Wojciech Przybylski Series: Seminars and Colloquia The first Europe’s Futures Fellows Colloquium investigated the nexus of issues around the European Union’s balancing act between a peace project it has been and a “strategically autonomous” superpower it seemingly wants to become. Read more
Europe’s Futures Colloquium Wed, 08.09.2021 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Oana Popescu-Zamfir Wojciech Przybylski Series: Seminars and Colloquia The first Europe’s Futures Fellows Colloquium investigated the nexus of issues around the European Union’s balancing act between a peace project it has been and a “strategically autonomous” superpower it seemingly wants to become. Read more
	What is the outlook for EU enlargement in the Western Balkans?	Mon, 14.06.2021	Panels and Discussions	Ioannis Armakolas Ivan Vejvoda Srdjan Cvijic		What is the outlook for EU enlargement in the Western Balkans? Mon, 14.06.2021 Speakers: Ioannis Armakolas Ivan Vejvoda Srdjan Cvijic Series: Panels and Discussions The state of play in the Western Balkans shows signs of political deterioration. There is uncertainty over opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, whilst those already open with Serbia and Montenegro progress sluggishly. Implementation of the Prespa Agreement is slow and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is at a standstill. Overall, it is not a very promising picture even without the growth of popular frustration. Is the European Union awakening to the need for a more robust engagement in the Western Balkans? Read more
What is the outlook for EU enlargement in the Western Balkans? Mon, 14.06.2021 Speakers: Ioannis Armakolas Ivan Vejvoda Srdjan Cvijic Series: Panels and Discussions The state of play in the Western Balkans shows signs of political deterioration. There is uncertainty over opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, whilst those already open with Serbia and Montenegro progress sluggishly. Implementation of the Prespa Agreement is slow and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is at a standstill. Overall, it is not a very promising picture even without the growth of popular frustration. Is the European Union awakening to the need for a more robust engagement in the Western Balkans? Read more
	Narrative Making in the European Capital	Tue, 17.11.2020	Seminars and Colloquia	Ivan Vejvoda Julia De Clerck-Sachsse		Narrative Making in the European Capital Tue, 17.11.2020 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Julia De Clerck-Sachsse Series: Seminars and Colloquia As great power competition increasingly spills over into the information space, a compelling European narrative has become a geopolitical imperative. Europe finds itself in a battle of narratives between democracies and authoritarian regimes that cannot be decided on the basis of facts alone. To resist populist and autocratic forces, the European Union needs to communicate in a more personal and empathetic way demonstrating that its policies can deliver for its citizens. Just as the old adage has it that the personal is always political, the political will need to become more personal if Europe wants to hold its ground in the battle of narratives. Read more
Narrative Making in the European Capital Tue, 17.11.2020 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Julia De Clerck-Sachsse Series: Seminars and Colloquia As great power competition increasingly spills over into the information space, a compelling European narrative has become a geopolitical imperative. Europe finds itself in a battle of narratives between democracies and authoritarian regimes that cannot be decided on the basis of facts alone. To resist populist and autocratic forces, the European Union needs to communicate in a more personal and empathetic way demonstrating that its policies can deliver for its citizens. Just as the old adage has it that the personal is always political, the political will need to become more personal if Europe wants to hold its ground in the battle of narratives. Read more
	Missing Pages of European History	Wed, 11.11.2020	Seminars and Colloquia	Ivan Vejvoda Teresa Reiter		Missing Pages of European History Wed, 11.11.2020 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Teresa Reiter Series: Seminars and Colloquia Many people agree that the European Union’s enlargement process is flawed. As a consequence, none of the aspiring EU members meet their targets on the path to membership on time and some do not meet them at all. While Europeans spent a lot of money, time and energy to improve life the region for decades, it is equally true that Europeans made decisions that affected the Western Balkans negatively, too. However, when European history is discussed in the context of the European Union, it is usually mainly about how the treaties were negotiated, how the European institutions developed, and about the vision of the leaders who envisaged the European Union. There are pages missing from the European history book. Arguably, this approach of not dealing with its own role, interests and past with the Western Balkans could be seen as having a negative impact on the enlargement policy the European Union is pursuing today. Read more
Missing Pages of European History Wed, 11.11.2020 Speakers: Ivan Vejvoda Teresa Reiter Series: Seminars and Colloquia Many people agree that the European Union’s enlargement process is flawed. As a consequence, none of the aspiring EU members meet their targets on the path to membership on time and some do not meet them at all. While Europeans spent a lot of money, time and energy to improve life the region for decades, it is equally true that Europeans made decisions that affected the Western Balkans negatively, too. However, when European history is discussed in the context of the European Union, it is usually mainly about how the treaties were negotiated, how the European institutions developed, and about the vision of the leaders who envisaged the European Union. There are pages missing from the European history book. Arguably, this approach of not dealing with its own role, interests and past with the Western Balkans could be seen as having a negative impact on the enlargement policy the European Union is pursuing today. Read more