A challenge for most all advanced democracies including Canada, UK, Germany and the rest of Europe is to jump-start a more dynamic high-growth and high-tech economy, flagged as a top priority for Europe by 2024’s  Draghi report.  This task became doubly urgent when the US–under the new Trump Administration–began an international economic order- upending mercantilist policy, alongside demands that US tech companies have unfettered access to the EU and other markets. The nurturing of robust innovation ecosystems in former industrial capitals like Cleveland, Ohio and  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and manufacturing states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina in the US demonstrate dynamic, innovation ecosystems aren’t confined to Silicon Valley, but can be purposefully built. Innovation leaders and ecosystem builders in the US, Canada, UK and Europe have much to share other in terms of essential building blocks, strategies, practices and policies that help drive this dynamic, as well as much learn as well.  Join a transatlantic discussion with select University and business innovation leaders to share insights into how to effectively do this work, and discuss avenues to further learn and assist each other.

The global order has changed dramatically over the past decade. Some of these changes have been disruptive, such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine or the escalation of violence in the Middle East. Other changes have taken place more gradually and outside of the spotlight of public attention, such as the quantitative decline of liberal democracies, the parallel increase in autocratic regimes, and the intensifying geopolitical tensions and rivalries between the United States, China, and Russia. At the same time, the international community is under ever-greater pressure to tackle challenges such as climate change, global health crises, and ongoing migration movements, which are placing heavy demands on countries on both sides of the Atlantic and triggering a transformation of national party systems. With Donald Trump serving a second term as president, the United States’ role in the world and as a partner for Europe must be reassessed after a long period of relative stability. In the current geopolitical climate, Europe in particular has a duty to ensure security and stability—in close cooperation with the US, but also with a clear understanding of its own interests and values. The question of how transatlantic relations are changing amidst great power competition and global responsibility is more important than ever and shapes the political debates and decisions of our time. In this context, we will examine the future of international cooperation and the challenges and opportunities that Europe faces in this dynamically changing world order.