Event Report: Transatlantic Conversations at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt
_The report is based on the opening talks of the discussion series "Transatlantic Conversations" which were held at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt from the 19th of September 2007 until the 23rd of September 2007. The speakers were *Frank-Walter Steinmeier*, German Foreign Minister (SPD) and *Dr. Jeremy Rifkin*, founder of the Foundation on Economic Trends and author of the book _The European Dream: How Europe’s Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream_. The event was jointly organized by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the Bundeszentrale fuer politische Bildung and the American Academy._*Transatlantic Relations* Dr. Steinmeier opened the talks by noting that Europe has its future as America’s partner in the shaping of human values. The attitudes of Europeans and Americans towards the values that define their shared culture have not changed, yet the attitudes they hold towards one another have. It is the European post-Cold War experience of prosperity and peace through transparency, interconnectedness and trust that plays a huge role in this regard. It is also this experience, not European "doe-eyedness" that drives the Europe’s foreign policy attitudes. It is important for Europe to be given more weight in defining the transatlantic agenda, in order to not have to define itself as a counterweight to unilateral American policy. America was never just might, but always an idea as well. It was the idea of the American Dream that gave it its power and credibility. It has returned Europe to freedom at great personal sacrifice, because it was seen as a genuine force behind the idea of personal freedom. *The Challenges* An average of 10million e-mails pass back and forth between Germany and the US every day. The reason why Europeans and Americans are so attentive of one another is because, even though we have differences, they share so much in values and ideals. But if they want to prevent alienation, a new transatlantic agenda will have to be developed. Only if the world sees the two power-centres collaborate on the big challenges that face the globe, they will be able to win the hearts and minds. They are: # Energy Security and Climate Change: # The Stability of the International Financial Markets # Disarmament and Proliferation These big questions will have to be answered together. Even the US and Europe together will not be sufficient to solve them – but without them, they become all but insurmountable. Further, although NATO remains at the heart of transatlantic relations, many problems cannot be solved militarily – a new forum is needed in which non-military measures can be addressed. *The European Dream* Americans have a dream: this dream is based in independence, autonomy, mobility and the possibility that, with a guaranteed degree of education, anyone can move ‘from rags to riches’ by the sheer power of their own person. Europeans, too, have a dream – but this dream is very different: it’s a dream of a quality of life for all, of inter-communal and inter-cultural understanding, of a balanced society that efficiently utilizes the entirety of human capital without having to leave anyone behind The American dream played a huge role in its attraction and ultimately its power, but it is a dream that is firmly rooted in the 20th century because it remains provincial in a globalized age. The European Dream, slowly emerging, is global. The EU is the first flat, nodal network political experiment that has ever existed. It is the first time in history that a power-centre expanded through peace and interdependence, and not through violence. This dream will have to be harnessed in the transatlantic relationship and projected globally. Ultimately, a profound understanding and acceptance of a common security and a common humanity must be at the heart of any new approach to transatlantic relations.
