The United States Meets Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (USAME)

The next USAME Weeklong Seminar will take place in Berlin from 6th - 12th November, 2010
Forum Director: Mark Donfried
Email Address: usame@culturaldiplomacy.org
Program Director: JP Prigge, Katie Dickmeyer, Jack Hood, Joel MacMillan

The United States Meets Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (USAME) is a network of young, influential people from both sides of the Atlantic who have an active interest in supporting the relationship between the United States and Europe.

The Forum will focus on the economic, political, cultural, and societal dimensions of the relationship, and the wider context within which this relationship exists. Members join the Forum by taking part in a USAME Weeklong Seminar, during which they will learn about the field of cultural diplomacy, explore the American-European relationships, and take part in challenging group discussions on salient issues.

The Forum will also organize a number of shorter, academic conferences throughout the year that the members are invited to attend and to help organize. Through the ICD Online Forum, members are able to keep in touch with one another and members of the other ICD Forums.

The application form for the next Weeklong Seminar can be accessed by clicking on “Seminar Application Form” on the left-hand-side or by clicking “Apply Now!” below.

The next USA meets Europe Weeklong Seminar will take place in Berlin from 22nd - 27th August, 2010 and will focus on the following theme:

Beyond Mars and Venus: The Transatlantic Relationship in the New World Order

The European-American relationship has long been emphasized by both sides as of fundamental importance to their foreign policy and positioning in the world. Recent events and emerging challenges, including the global financial crisis, the security situation in the Middle East, and the issue of climate change, are forcing policy makers on both sides to reassess their approach to the relationship and its relevance moving forwards. "Beyond Mars and Venus" will explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the relationship, and will encourage discussion on how both sides can respond to its changing context.

The forthcoming Weeklong Seminar will explore the following issues:
  • The state of relations: confronting immediate issues and identifying future challenges.
  • The ability of the West to maintain its capacity to project power, both hard and soft, in the increasingly multi-polar world.
  • The future of International Governance; reconfiguring the UN Security Council and the role of the G20 as an engine of international decision-making. 
  • Cooperation or confrontation? Exploring the ways the West can work constructively with emerging economies to enhance their development opportunities.
  • NATO: From Afghanistan and into the future. Managing security threats from both state and non-state actors.
  • In the wake of the global financial crisis, coordinating the new international financial architecture and preventing future crises.
  • The role and responsibility of the EU and US in confronting climate change and potential agendas for the upcoming environmental summit in Mexico.
  • The dynamics and impact of inter-cultural exchange within the Euro-American relationship.
The forthcoming CDE Weeklong Seminar will pursue the following aims:
  • To create a network of young, like-minded leaders who can incorporate their skills and expertise into the existing USAME network.
  • To contribute to the growing debate and discussion on the political, economic and cultural configuration of the interconnected world.
  • To provide the participants with a broad selection of expert perspectives on issues relating to the fundamental issues challenging US and European concerns.
  • The role of Cultural Diplomacy in navigating the path of understanding between the West and burgeoning world powers.
  • To explore the history, development, and contemporary application of Cultural Diplomacy through selected case studies.
  • To provide the participants with ideas and support for the development of future programs, and to strengthen relations between the US and Europe, known as "leadership initiatives".