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A week ago, I spoke at the annual Leangkollen Conference in Norway, organized by the Norwegian Atlantic Committee and the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association of Norway. I was one of five younger panelists who had been asked to say a few words about transatlantic values for future generations.

I must admit that while preparing my speech, I felt slightly at a loss. The fact is that Kristin, the university student, has never thought of herself as an Atlanticist. More than anything, I consider myself a ‘global citizen’ after having lived in countries like Latvia, Turkey, the US, Russia and Indonesia.

And so, in the early stages of speech writing, I came to two very crude conclusions. The first: I am a product of Transatlanticism. If my American hippie father had not decided to cross the Atlantic and settle down in Denmark to procreate, then I would not be writing these words.

The second: we must practice and engage the general populations in Transatlanticism – not attempt to force, what many perceive as a politically constructed identity, upon them.

I think we are all well aware of the history that is shared across the Atlantic and the values that have been born from this shared history: freedom, liberty, peace, security and the rule of law – as formulated in the North Atlantic Treaty. These are values which few people in the Western world will dispute and to a large extent, they have become so well integrated in our mentalities, that they are a matter of course. For many of the younger generations, these values are no longer associated with a common cause. Transatlanticism seems instead to connote a political arena, where somewhat hollow expressions such as “strategic partnership” and “transatlantic dialog” prevail.

Each morning we open our newspapers to innumerable crises challenging the transatlantic community. There is the lack of American interest in the debate about Europe’s economy and the shifting American focus towards Asia. There is the deficit in European solidarity, spawning what some refer to as a “small Europe-mentality” and loss of unified responsibility. There is NATO - the institutionalized bond between the US and Europe - for which one of the biggest existing challenges seems to be the lack of apparent relevance of the Alliance in certain countries, for whom conflict is very far from the shared consciousness of the population.

I study at a Danish university and meet, amongst my peers, the perspective that war is bad and peace is good – therefore, as a military alliance, NATO breeds conflict and ought not to exist. This perspective lacks nuance, in my opinion. And it is nuance that I believe civil society organizations can bring to the debate by engaging populations in dialog and concrete problem-solving initiatives.

We must embrace developments within public opinion and understanding, and use them to our advantage by focusing on the discussion of security policy in new and broader terms, and upon this foundation debate the role of international organizations such as NATO. A broader approach to security affairs may enable a wider range of discussion and thereby action.

Despite the “bad press” that Transatlanticism is getting, I see definite positive elements developing – with the example of the growing significance of the youth dimension in the debate, and the ever increasing mobility which is facilitating the exchange of ideas. Developments within technology and social media are contributing to the maintenance of contacts established internationally – and for younger generations the world has generally become a smaller and less scary place.

But again, Atlanticism must be practiced. I find that with an organization such as the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA) and networks such as atlantic-community.org, the framework is there. Within that context the concept goes from politically constructed to making sense. Within that context I am meeting with people of different nationalities, I am discussing a broad variety of political, social and economic issues and I am learning about values and interests which greatly vary. Within this framework we are able to take the discussion to the policy-maker, the man on the street and the kid in the classroom in an attempt to bridge the divide that often develops, and undermines the larger goals.

I see it as our duty to do all we can to engage, educate and inspire young people to take part in debates which will ultimately affect their future We should never underestimate the power that dialog has in impacting agendas and the effect that youth can have in pursuing change. Last week, at the Leangkollen Conference in Norway, a significant step was taken in the right direction.

Kristin Durant is President of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association.

February 15, 2012

Greg Randolph Lawson, Wikistrat, Platinum Contributor (522)

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Indeed you are right. Complacency has seeped into the trans-Atlantic relationship and it seems a wholesale cultural renewal and trade upgrade represent better options for the future than trying to keep using NATO to go out of theater.

We need more unity to confront economic malaise and competition as the center shifts towards the Pacific.

February 17, 2012

Jacquelyn Elizabeth Breckenridge, Middlebury College, (9)

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There is no question that the need to "engage, educate and inspire" is of upmost importance with regard to the transatlantic community today. As a college student studying International Politics and Economics in the United States, I can identify with the points made about an overall lack of American interest and a submission to NATO. The politically manufactured relationship transatlantically can be daunting and therefore leads to inaction where it is needed most. The young generation of students have a responsibility to adjust the current paradigm and re-prioritize a culturally and economically powered partnership between Europe and the United States. The need for strategized action that dominates the international political sphere must mature into a more conscious, cooperative, and culturally coherent arena of action.

As you called attention to Kristen, the need for public opinion and understanding to drive the movement for change should be a priority. Even as a student of international relations at a liberal arts institution I feel I am not exposed to enough conversation and initiation in the transatlantic relationship. I too come from a family product of transatlanticism and feel an obligation to make change.

February 17, 2012

Elisabeth Pfeiffer, Scripps College, (8)

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I agree that we definitely need to engage people in a dialectic, and also educate more youth in order to pursue positive changes. As a German-American, currently attending college in the U.S., I see so many possibilities for improved Transatlanticism. Yet, the trend in the U.S. seems to be leaning towards disinterest towards events, ideas, and activities taking place in other countries. This is increasingly alarming, considering how globalized our world is becoming. We need to work together in the same sphere, in order to create policies that are effective and take diverse ideas and concerns into consideration.

I also believe that with our developments in mobility, especially with the aid of technology and social media, it will be easier to overcome this hurdle, and engage people in a dialogue.

Tags: | transatlanticism | social media | transatlantic communication | United States |

February 19, 2012

Joerg Wolf, Atlantic Community, Editor

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@ Jacquelyn, Elisabeth

Thank you for your interesting comments. I am wondering if you could elaborate on your comments and share best practices/lessons learned or outline your own proposals that would lead to the change you want to see?

As a think tank, we like to turn wishes and ideas into concrete/specific proposals, that can be implemented. I know that is difficult in this case, but if you get started with a couple of comments, others might build on it with further comments and together we will create a new project proposal or policy proposal.

February 19, 2012

Kristin Durant, Youth Atlantic Treaty Association, Silver Contributor (31)

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Dear Greg, Jacquelyn and Elisabeth,

thank you for your comments. I am glad to see that I am not the only one with concerns such as these. In many ways they question the foundation of a whole generation, if not two generations - those of our parents and grandparents. I find that this makes the discussion more difficult, as it is a perspective that older generations simply have trouble relating to.

After speaking at Leangkollen, I ended up having lunch with a very interesting man from a European military research institute. When I asked him if he had found the discussion in the youth panel interesting, he exclaimed with great excitement, "Yes, it has helped me to understand the point of departure for your generation!" Slightly baffled and pleased at having been partly the cause of such enthusiasm, I asked him to elaborate. He went on to explain that he found it fascinating that each panelist had spoken from an individual perspective as opposed to that of the collective, which was the discourse that he was used to within his generation.

With this, I thought of a whole section of my speech that I had left out because of lack of time. Basically it touched upon the growing problems that our generation is facing - particularly with regard to unemployment and a general increase in social gaps. I read recently that during the past few years a very large percentage of young people have relocated from the US and Europe to Brazil - among other countries - to start new lives for themselves where they are able to find jobs.

I find this development both worrying and fascinating. On the one hand, I completely understand the logic and find it positive that young people are seeking their fortune instead of waiting for decision makers to set about policy changes. However, it is also a symptom of a string of serious problems that we share across the Atlantic. So, I suppose what I'm trying to say is that with shared values come shared problems. My hope is that if our shared values can no longer function as a foundation upon which to cooperate, then our shared challenges will soon be recognized and be the basis for an update of the values that older generations hold so dear - perhaps Atlanticism 2.0?

February 20, 2012

Jacquelyn Elizabeth Breckenridge, Middlebury College, (9)

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Kristen, your discovery regarding young people leaving for Brazil to pursue more economic opportunity only speaks further to the need for renewal of the "unified responsibility" that you mentioned in your initial post. It is disheartening to know that the feeling of responsibility has become more individualized and less communal. With less feeling of responsibility and power to make change on the larger scale, one will focus only on their own self interest and not of that of their country.
With a broad subject matter like this it is proving difficult to pin-point very specific implementable policy proposals; however, smaller scale "grassroots" type action might be a good place to get the ball rolling in regards to this issue. It might be beneficial to start formulating a proposal for action by first looking at NATO. It seems that many people simply submit their responsibility for transatlantic action on issues to the power of NATO; however, as Kristen pointed out, NATO is clearly not accomplishing the job that so many of us wish it would. One proposal that could lead to change would be, at a local level, seminars and discussions about what NATO is really meant to accomplish and what must be taken into our own responsibilities. Once there is a better understanding of this institution and what it does at a local level, more people can focus on what it is that NATO cannot accomplish that they can. Public opinion surveys on what citizens at an individual level feel they are missing from the transatlantic relationship and how they would desire this relationship to benefit them economically and socially would be helpful. With this kind of opinion information we can start figuring out what it is that people expect and desire of the transatlantic relationship and how we could go about making those things happen.

February 20, 2012

Elisabeth Pfeiffer, Scripps College, (8)

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@ Joerg, Kristin, Jacquelyn

I would love to elaborate on my ideas for you!

Kristin, your thoughts on the growing problems that our generation is facing, with regards to unemployment and the widening income gap, really struck me. Yes, the increasing percentage of young people relocating from the US and Europe is disturbing, though it is a logical reaction to the issue. Yet, rather than attacking the source of the problem, this form of action is only effective in the short run, and acts as a “band-aid” for the symptoms that the US and Europe have in common.

Joerg, to answer your question, what do I envision “Atlanticism 2.0” (as Kristin so quaintly puts it!) to look like?

I like Jacquelyn’s suggestion of “grassroots” type action, though I think in order for transatlanticism to be truly effective, a combination of bottom up and top down approaches need to be put into place.

One of the most important bottom-up approaches that I believe would be particularly effective in improving transatlanticism is dialogue. I never will underestimate the power of talking. While these approaches may appear to be slow-moving in the short run, overtime, fruitful discussions and exchanges can lead to real political and social action and ultimately, the positive changes we are currently seeking. These discussions and dialogues can take place in the classroom, so that even the youngest among us can be taught to appreciate the benefits of transatlanticism. I also mentioned in my previous comment the benefits of social media and technology. As recent history has shown us, social media has a very real power to effect real change. Using the Internet, forums, blogs, groups, posts, videos, links, and other methods can be used to inspire more discussion. More voices can be heard with social media, and more ideas can thus be exchanged. Even what I am doing right now—sharing my own ideas with the Atantic-community—is helping to bring about discussion and positive change.

But more than the exchanging of ideas, there needs to be an exchange of experiences. This is something that I have personally experienced and benefited from, as a past Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) participant. I was able to live in Berlin, Germany with a host family, learn more about German culture, and participate in internships. Through my experience of being immersed in German, and European culture, I learned about the importance of having such a strong transatlantic relationship. Not only did I gain a greater insight into the issues facing Germans, but by living among them, I saw for myself that our values and challenges aren’t so different after all. I returned to the States with a greater sense of responsibility, in terms of continuing these transatlantic ties. For this reason, I believe in the value of cultural exchange as well. Governments should continue to provide funding for programs such as CBYX, and perhaps expand these programs and initiatives.

Kristin, you also state that your hope is that “if our shared values can no longer function as a foundation upon which to cooperate, then our shared challenges will soon be recognized and be the basis for an update of the values that older generations hold so dear...”

I agree with you to some extent here. However, why do you think that our shared values no longer function as a foundation upon which to cooperate? I strongly believe that we do have shared values, which further contribute to the challenges that we share as well. Perhaps the real problem is a lack of recognition of our common interests as a basis upon which to cooperate and collaborate. Hopefully a combination of government programs promoting an exchange of experiences and educational initiatives using dialogue and social media promoting an exchange of ideas can lead us in the right direction.

Tags: | transatlanticism |

February 26, 2012

Paul-Robert Lookman, http://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/, Platinum Contributor (295)

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A belated reaction from someone belonging to the “older generations”.

With the international political system shifting from a monopolar to a multipolar world, I wonder why someone belonging to the “younger generations” should cling an old concept such as transatlanticism. In our “old” Western world, power is concentrated in the hands of the happy few, the “middle class” is rapidly disappearing. Jacquelyn’s “grassroots” suggestion is in fact materializing: the Occupy movement, which unfortunately is harshly quelled by “the establishment.” The “shared values” are eroded. Our political leaders shamelessly apply double standards, both domestically and in the international arena. The rule of (international) law applies to some, not all. National interests prevail over common interests and international institutions continue to be dominated by the “old” Western powers (and flagrantly used to their own advantage).

In such a world, one should do more than wonder why “a very large percentage of young people have relocated,” a phenomenon that surely cannot be “remedied” by more transatlanticism, but perhaps rather by a somewhat more realistic view of how the real world is developing. Why not trade transatlanticism for “transpacificism”, “transcaribbeanism”, or “transglobeism”?

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