Vejvoda: Election results "secure European and democratic future" for Serbia, Balkans May 16, 2008 Washington, DC
GMF Communications Officer Will Bohlen sat down with Ivan Vejvoda, the director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy, to talk about the surprise victory in recent Serbia elections by the pro-European coalition around Serbian President Boris Tadic. Click here to download the podcast.
What does China think? May 9, 2008 Washington, DC
On May 9, GMF hosted Mark Leonard for a discussion of his new book, "What Does China Think." While there has been much focus on the economic rise of China, scholars have devoted little attention to the philosophical, political, and cultural debates within China. Mark Leonard, the executive director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Dr. David Shambaugh, the director of the China Policy Program at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, discussed the intellectual debates within China, and the impact these internal debates may have on Europe and the United States.
U.S. Ambassador Khalilzad confident about multilateral efforts in Afghanistan April 25, 2008 Washington, DC
On April 25, GMF hosted Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, for a discussion on the future of Afghanistan and the role of the international community. In a conversation with German journalist Klaus-Peter Siegloch of ZDF Television, Khalilzad expressed confidence in current multilateral efforts in Afghanistan and reaffirmed American support for new UN Special Representative Kai Eide.
From May 3-5, GMF and NPR brought you the conversation between Amb. Khalilzad and Klaus-Peter Siegloch in an hour-long program on NPR Worldwide. This piece is now available for download here.
What Price Energy Transformation? April 24, 2008 Brussels, Belgium
On April 24 and 25, GMF, in partnership with the Berlin-based Ecologic Institute for International & European Environmental Policy and funding from the EU Commission, the ERP program, and the Böll Foundation and the Danish Embassy, hosted the final seminar of the three-part strategy series entitled "What Price Energy Transformation?" in Brussels.
Open skies: Will there ever be truly open transatlantic air services? April 14, 2008 Washington, DC
On April 14, the GMF hosted a luncheon panel discussion entitled “Open skies: Will there ever be truly open transatlantic air services?” The event is part of the GMF’s Ttansatlantic marketplace & international regulatory cooperation projects that examine how cooperation can be enhanced to benefit the transatlantic economy.
U.S. elections speakers tour visits DC, European cities April 7, 2008 Washington, DC - Turin - Munich - Stockholm
"We don't contribute to the American presidency, but we are certainly part of it." Piero Gastaldo's opening remarks at an event co-sponsored by GMF and the Compagnia di San Paolo in Turin, Italy, reflected the mood seen at each stop on the German Marshall Fund's second European speakers tour on the 2008 U.S. presidential elections. The tour brought three political-insiders from Washington, DC, to Turin, Munich, and Stockholm for a series of events on the November elections.
Bush, Karzai, Harper bring NATO debates to the Bucharest Conference April 1, 2008 Bucharest, Romania
The Bucharest Conference featured addresses by U.S. President George W. Bush, Romanian President Traian Basescu, Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, and Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, as well as other panel discussions on pressing NATO issues such as enlargement, missile defense, and Russia. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer discussed alliance operations in Afghanistan.
The Bucharest Conference website features archived video of the full speeches and sessions, highlight reels, transcripts, and press releases.
Immigration and homeland security challenges facing Germany March 27, 2008 Washington, DC
On March 27, GMF, in cooperation with the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation, hosted Joachim Herrmann (CSU), the interior minister of the Free State of Bavaria, for a luncheon presentation and discussion entitled "Immigration and homeland security challenges facing Germany." Mr. Ulf Gartzke, head of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation in Washington, DC, introduced the speaker and Dr. Stephen Szabo, executive director of the Transatlantic Academy at GMF, moderated the discussion.
Global security threats and Central Europe March 11, 2008 Bratislava
On March 11, GMF Bratislava, in cooperation with the Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, held a one day seminar entitled “Global security threats and Central Europe.” This workshop brought together 30 experts from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Britain, Israel, Turkey, and the United States. In three thematic sessions, the seminar examined global security threats as perceived by Central European countries, the responses and contributions of these countries to strengthening security, and the perspectives of major security players on a regional level, such as Turkey and Israel, and global level, such as NATO, EU and the United States.
The Global Fund's contribution to combating AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria March 6, 2008 Washington, DC
On March 6, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) hosted Doctor Michel Kazatchine, the executive director of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, to discuss the organization's history, work, and vision. Moderated by Senior Transatlantic Fellow Jim Kolbe, the event offered Dr. Kazatchine an opportunity to expound on the Global Fund's founding principles, innovative techniques, and real-world impact.
Book presentation - "Reclaiming Democracy: Civil Society and Electoral Change in Central and Eastern Europe" March 4, 2008 Vienna, Austria
On March 4, the Austrian Parliament hosted a presentation of the book Reclaiming Democracy: Civil Society and Electoral Change in Central and Eastern Europe that was edited by GMF's Joerg Forbrig and Pavol Demeš in cooperation with Erste Stiftung. The event featured Barbara Prammer, president of the Austrian Parliament; Erhard Busek, special coordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe; Sonja Puntscher-Riekmann, director of the Research Institute on European Integration; Boris Marte, managing director of Erste Stiftung; and Pavol Demeš , director of Central and Eastern Europe of GMF. Held in the historic committee room of the lower house, the event provided an opportunity for Austrian policymakers, journalists, and NGO representatives, as well as students, to discuss recent democratic changes in Central and Eastern Europe.
Mutual recognition of securities exchanges: Prospects for transatlantic cooperation March 4, 2008 Washington, DC
On March 4, GMF hosted a luncheon discussion on "Mutual recognition of securities exchanges: Prospects for transatlantic cooperation." A system such as this would allow foreign exchanges and broker-dealers to offer investment products to U.S. investors without first having to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an idea suggested last year by senior SEC officials and discussed at roundtable convened by the SEC. To better understand the issue, GMF hosted Randal K. Quarles of the Carlyle Group, Nicolas Véron of the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, and Peter Chepucavage of the International Association of Small Broker Dealers and Advisors.
Citizen Diplomacy and the transatlantic relationship March 3, 2008 Washington, DC
On March 3, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) hosted Rick Steves, a renowned producer of a weekly public radio program, author of over 30 books on European travel, and host of Rick Steves' Europe, a television show on PBS, for a discussion on citizen Diplomacy in the United States and Europe post 9/11. A podcast interview with Rick Steves is also available for download.
NATO in Afghanistan - A challenge to transatlantic burden sharing March 3, 2008 Washington, DC
On March 3, GMF hosted a discussion entitled “NATO in Afghanistan - A challenge to transatlantic burden sharing," featuring Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Volker, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, and Canadian Deputy Head of Mission Guy Saint-Jacques. GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow Michael Polt moderated the discussion.
What is the price of energy transformation? February 28, 2008 Berlin
On February 28-29, GMF Berlin, in partnership with the Ecologic Institute for International & European Environmental Policy, hosted the second leg of a three part strategy seminar entitled "What is the price energy transformation?" at the Danish Embassy in Berlin. Participants were drawn from both sides of the Atlantic and included experts from the NGO community, government officials, and representatives from the energy sector. The discussion focused on the nexus of energy, climate change, and security issues, with a particular emphasis on resources and climate change.
Germany after two years of grand coalition February 28, 2008 Washington, DC
On February 28, GMF, in cooperation with the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS), hosted German Federal Minister and Head of the Chancellery Dr. Thomas de Maizière for a presentation and discussion titled "Germany after two years of grand coalition." The event featured opening remarks by Mr. John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and former chief of staff to President Clinton.
Assessing the outcomes of the U.S.-EU biofuels working group February 22, 2008 Washington, DC
On February 22, GMF hosted a roundtable meeting on the European proposal for a new EU directive on the use of renewable energy and to assess the outcomes of the February 21 meeting of the EU-U.S. biofuels working group under the EU-U.S. Strategic Energy Cooperation. The speakers featured Alexandra Langenheld, a national expert on regulatory policy and promotion of renewable energy at the European Commission's Directorate General for Energy and Transport, and Jeff Skeer from the office of policy and international affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Bridging the foreign policy divide February 6, 2008 Brussels
On February 6, GMF Brussels hosted an event on the future of U.S. foreign policy entitled "Bridging the foreign policy divide." Tod Lindberg from the National Review and David Shorr from the Stanley Foundation discussed their latest project; a compilation of papers by prominent Democratic and Republican experts on foreign policy challenges.
Macedonian FM discusses NATO aspirations, regional issues February 6, 2008 Washington, DC
On February 6, GMF hosted Antonio Milososki, the minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, and Kurt D. Volker, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, for a discussion on the status of Macedonia's negotiations for NATO accession and EU membership, as well as regional issues.
The race to the White House: an analysis of Super Tuesday February 6, 2008 Berlin
On February 6, GMF Berlin, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, hosted a discussion entitled "The race to the White House: an analysis of Super Tuesday." About 120 people attended a panel discussion with William Chandler, a professor at University of California in San Diego; Mr. William Drozdiak from American Council on Germany; and Mr. Ralf Beste, Marshall Memorial Fellow and a journalist with Der Spiegel in Berlin. Constanze Stelzenmüller, executive director of GMF's Berlin Office, moderated the discussion held in the State Representation of Baden-Württemberg.
Basescu serves up some suprises in NATO Summit Preview January 31, 2008 Brussels, Belgium
On January 31, GMF Brussels hosted a talk by Romanian President Traian Basescu, entitled "Gearing up for the NATO Summit," that was later opened up for a question and answer session from the audience. Dr. Ronald D. Asmus, the executive director of GMF's Brussels Office, moderated the event held in the packed Polak Room of the Residence Palace.
Innovations in Aid series: "Outcome-based conditionality: Too good to be true?" January 28, 2008 Brussels
On January 28, GMF Brussels, as a part of its Innovations in Aid series, hosted a report launch event for a report entitled "Outcome-based conditionality: Too good to be true?" by Eurodad, a European network of development NGOs. Ms. Nuria Molina-Gallart presented the report, followed by responses from representatives of two leading donors: Manuela Ferro from the World Bank and Riccardo Maggi from the European Commission. Alex Wilks, the director of Eurodad moderated the event and in attendance were European Union permanent representatives from Sweden, Finland, Austria, France, and Spain, as well as representatives from the embassies of several African countries.
Regulation and national security: Creating effective policies across the Atlantic January 23, 2008 Washington, DC
On January 23, GMF Brussels held a discussion entitled "Regulation and national security: Creating effective policies across the Atlantic." Professor Henry Farrell of George Washington University in Washington, DC, presented his draft paper (to be published by GMF in March 2008) on Information Politics in the New Transatlantic Agenda. Ms. Sophie in't Veld, a member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands, provided a response.
European and American climate policies after Bali January 21, 2008 Berlin
On January 21, GMF, in cooperation with Deutsche BP, hosted a conference in Berlin to discuss "European and American climate policies after Bali." The keynote speakers were Dr. Harlan Watson, the senior climate negotiator for the United States at the Climate Change Conference in Bali, and Franzjosef Schafhausen, deputy director general for environment and energy at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
Toward a grand strategy in an uncertain world: Renewing transatlantic partnership January 16, 2008 Brussels, Belgium
On January 16, GMF Brussels hosted a debate entitled "Toward a grand strategy in an uncertain world: Renewing transatlantic partnership," based on a paper written by five distinguished military personnel. Four of the five authors attended the debate in an attempt to explain and expand on their plan for creating a safer world, hopefully creating an alliance of democracies stretching from Finland to Alaska
The adaptation of PEPFAR to the aid effectiveness challenge January 14, 2008 Washington, DC
On January 14, GMF hosted Ambassador Mark Dybul, the U.S. global AIDS coordinator of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Washington, DC, for a discussion on the adaptation of PEPFAR to the aid effectiveness challenge. The event was moderated by GMF senior transatlantic fellow Jim Kolbe. Also available is a podcast interview between Jim Kolbe and Ambassador Dybul.
GMF and NPR Worldwide are pleased to bring you an audio program from a discussion on January 8, 2008, at GMF on the recent UN Climate Change conference in Bali, Indonesia. The event featured Elliot Diringer from the Pew Center for Global Climate Change and Ana Unruh-Cohen from the House Select Committee on Independent Energy & Global Warming.
The program, in which the speakers give a read-out of the Bali conference and the potential next steps for the transatlantic partners leading up to the next climate change gathering, airs on NPR Worldwide in Europe. Please visit NPR Worldwide's website to find out more about the program's air times.
Bulgarian FM discusses next steps for the Balkans January 4, 2008 Washington, DC
On January 4, GMF hosted Ivailo Kalfin, the foreign minister and deputy prime minister of the republic of Bulgaria, for a luncheon roundtable entitled "What Next for the Balkans," in which he examined the pitfalls and opportunities of a fragile upcoming year for the Balkan region, and highlighted the region's relationship with both Europe and the United States.
