Frances G. Burwell
fburwell@acus.org
202-778-4970
Assistant Director
Brooke R. Heaton
bheaton@acus.org
202-778-4954
Through a range of activities, the Young Atlanticist program enhances awareness among young leaders of the importance of international engagement and gives them the tools to make a difference when their time comes. [read more]
Upcoming Event:
Young Atlanticist Summit, April 2-4, Bucharest Romania
As world leaders met this April for the largest NATO summit in Alliance history, future leaders from across the Euro-Atlantic region and Afghanistan convened in Bucharest to grapple with the major security issues facing the Atlantic Community today and to launch an innovative on-line community – the Young Atlanticist Network. The Young Atlanticist Summit, held in conjunction with the official NATO Summit, brought together over 120 students and young professionals representing NATO and Partnership for Peace countries, as well as top students from the University of Kabul. They had an extraordinary opportunity to meet directly with national and Alliance decision-makers and to build consensus on critical issues in the Alliance. Delegates at the Young Atlanticist Summit issued statements addressing the Alliance role in energy security , the controversy over the Macedonian name , and mechanisms for building closer relations between Alliance and Afghan publics.
Announcement:
First Prize in the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Student Essay Contest is awarded to Ms. Yosabeth Weldemedhin of Converse College
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Winner Yosabeth Weldemedhin with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga |
The review committee of the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Student Essay Contest has awarded first prize to Ms. Weldemedhin for her excellent analysis addressing rivalries and partnerships in the EU and NATO. Ms. Weldemedhin was presented with a reward of $500 at the annual Christopher J. Makins Lecture, delivered this year by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia, at the House of Sweden.
Mirsad Krijestorac of Florida International University was recognized with second prize in the contest.
Featured Events:
Transatlantic
Approaches to International Law
Students and young professionals convened in Washington, DC for a half-day of workshops, and discussions with leading experts on how the transatlantic community can work together to build effective international laws and institutions. Gillian Sorenson, Senior Advisor and National Advocate at the United Nations Foundation and Former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations gave a keynote address highlighting the need for more U.S. leadership in international institutions. Frances Burwell Director of the Council's Transatlantic Relations Program moderated a panel discussion with Elizabeth Anderson, Executive Director of the American Society of International Law and Ashley Deeks, Legal Adviser at U.S. Department of State on US and European approaches to international law.
The
Atlantic Council hosts 'Washington Day' of the Global Scholars Program
On July 10th, the Atlantic Council opened its doors to host some of the nations brightest high-school students for an afternoon of discussion and debate on global affairs and US foreign policy. The 60 students from high-schools across the nation and the Atlantic community spent a day in Washington and heard from a number of foreign policy experts including George Perkovich, Vice President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Michele Dunne, Senior Associate & Editor, Arab Reform Bulletin at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Marina Ottaway, Director of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Thomas M. Sanderson, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow of the Transnational Threats program at CSIS; James Townsend, Jr., Director of the Atlantic Council's International Security Program; Kathy Pomroy, Director of Organizing, Bread for the World; Daniel Magraw, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Carol Welch, U.S. Coordinator of the United Nations Millennium Campaign. This event was co-sponsored by Americans for Informed Democracy.
Young
Atlanticist Discussion with H.E. Vaira Vike-Freiberga
On Thursday, May 3rd, the Atlantic Council was honored to host Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, for a webcast discussion with students in Washington DC and on campuses across United States. As the President addressed students at the Council, others across the US participated in a live webcast by submitting questions to Her Excellency. [read more and watch video]
Achilles
Seminar on Transformation and the Transatlantic Relationship
On October 16-19 2006, the Atlantic Council welcomed 36 young leaders to Washington for a four day seminar on transformation and the transatlantic relationship. The events began with a dinner in which the participants were joined by Ambassador Robert Hunter, President of the Atlantic Treaty Association, and Jim Townsend of the Atlantic Council. The students spent the next day in Washington, and met with Terry Pudas, Director of the Office of Force Transformation at the Department of Defense; Stuart Johnson of the National Defense University; William Caniano of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Ian Brzezinski, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Europe; and Scott Tumpack of EADS International. The participants then traveled to Allied Command Transformation, the only North American representation of NATO, in Norfolk, Virginia. [read more]
Events in 2006:
From November 27 – 29, 2006, forty-nine young leaders from thirty-two states examined the agenda of the 2006 Riga NATO summit and offered their solutions to regional and global security problems. Representing countries in the Alliance, the Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue, and other nations like Afghanistan and Australia, the successor generation of the Alliance shared their views and experiences on nation-building in Afghanistan, NATO’s Partnerships, NATO’s relationship with Russia, NATO’s enlargement and energy security. [read more]
NATO Secretary General engages Successor Generation during DC visit
Students Simulate 2006 NATO Summit
Student Conference examines NATO’s role in combating international terrorism
Projects:
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Pan-Atlantic Student Summit (PASS) — brings together participants from NATO and Partnership for Peace countries for a conference held in conjunction with the official NATO summit.
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John A. Baker Internship Program — Outstanding students from colleges and universities around the world work with staff to produce programs on a range of international issues.
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International On-Line Student Conferences — use the Internet to engage young people in dialogue with their counterparts around the globe on key international issues. Each conference includes peer-moderated small group discussions, expert commentaries, and a key-note, live web-chat with a leading policy-maker.
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Academic Associates Network — College and university faculty serve as Council liaisons, distributing reports to their classes and colleagues, recruiting students, attending and hosting workshops, and offering feedback on Council initiatives.
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Young Leaders Programs — provides experiential opportunities to young leaders through conferences, simulations, and seminars in Europe and North America.
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Faculty Briefing Programs — When funding is available, the Council organizes study-tours to Brussels for U.S. faculty who teach relevant courses. Each time, 14-18 professors participate in briefings at NATO, the European Union institutions, and the U.S. Missions to NATO and the EU.
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Student Essay Contest — enrolled undergraduate-level students studying in any discipline at a U.S. university are encouraged to submit essays on the year’s topic. Winners will receive monetary prizes and the first place winner will attend the Christopher J. Makins Lecture.
When possible, the Council also provides International Resources for Faculty and Students related to the study and teaching of international affairs and serves as the U.S. representative to the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association.
