Conversations On Europe (Archive Collection)

Conversations On Europe connects top experts from around the United States and Europe to discuss contemporary issues facing Europe and the Transatlantic relationship. Using both personal and institutional videoconference technology, panelists take questions and interact with audiences at Pitt and at remote sites in the US and Europe. Conversations On Europe is free and open to the public. A complete library of video resources to enhance transatlantic conversations is also now available.  In addition, you can view the full Playlist for Conversations on Europe on the Pitt Global Channel of YouTube. Please note, however, that the supplemental materials are only available by clicking on the topics listed below.

The series is intended to present a broad range of views and opinions about topics relevant to Europe. The views expressed are those of the presenters and cannot be taken to represent the views or opinions of the U.S. Government nor the European Union.

With thanks to our co-sponsoring partners in the network of Jean Monnet Centers in the U.S.A, especially: the Miami-Florida Jean Monnet European Center of Excellence at Florida International University; the EU Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne; the Center for European Studies at the University of Florida; the Center for European Studies at the University of Texas – Austin; and the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology

We welcome your feedback on these videos and the Conversations on Europe series. Please take our survey.

The Thorn & The Thistle in Europe's Side? English & Scottish Nationalism and the Future of the EU

In this month’s installment of our Conversations on Europe series, a panel of experts and audiences from EU Centers across the U.S. discuss the upcoming Scottish referendum on independence from Britain scheduled for September of this year and the possibility of a UK referendum on EU membership that could occur as early as 2016. Presenters include John Curtice, (University of Strathclyde), Neill Nugent (Manchester Metropolitan University) and the University of Pittsburgh's Andrew Strathern, Andrew W. Mellon, and Pamela Stewart.

Spy Games Technology & Trust in the Transatlantic Relationship

At a time when U.S.-European cooperation is becoming more formalized in talks to create a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), have the NSA spy scandals dampened European enthusiasm to work closely with American allies? More generally, how have new technologies changed intelligence gathering practices? And to what extent can comprehensive surveillance programs like PRISM be subject to legal limitations on a national or global scale? The discussion will be moderated by EUCE Director and Professor of Political Science, Ronald Linden. Audience participation is encouraged.

The "Big Bang" 10 Years Later

The EUCE/ESC is pleased to present the first Spring 2014 Conversations on Europe Videoconference. Panelists will discuss the 2004 enlargement, which witnessed the growth of the EU from 15 member states to 25, and assess the impact of that expansion on the entering member states and the institutions of the European Union. Participants will include Geoffrey Harris (European Parliament Liaison Office), Zoltan Barany (University of Texas), Jacques Rupnik (Sciences Po), Carolyn ban (GSPIA), and Andrew Konitzer (REES, Political Science). Ron Linden, Director of the EUCE/ESC, will moderate.

France as a Global Leader

On February 19, 2013, Newsweek published an article that was provocatively titled “France: Leader of the Free World", taunting U.S. leaders to consider France's foreign policy in recent years. Experts commented on recent developments and how they relate to domestic and regional concerns. The Conversation was moderated by Professor Pierre Landry (University of Pittsburgh) and presenters included Laird Boswell (University of Wisconsin-Madison), David Pettersen (University of Pittsburgh) and Jean-Philippe Mathy (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).

Does Turkey have a European Future?

Turkey’s likely future and its relation to Europe can be seen in several dimensions. Probably best known and easiest to track is its long-running pursuit of membership in the European Union, but Turkey’s geographic and historic position has also drawn it into—and pushed it away from—the rapidly changing dynamics of the Middle East. Center Director and Political Science Professor, Ron Linden, moderated, and presenters included Sinan Ülgen (Carnegie Europe in Brussels), Henri Barkey (Lehigh University) and Uli Schamiloglu (University of Wisconsin, Madison).

The German Elections: Outcomes and Impact

The first of the EUCE/ESC’s 2013-2014 interactive Conversations on Europe explores the outcomes and impact of the German Elections (which took place the Sunday before). Experts on contemporary Germany give their assessment of the results. The moderator is Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Presenters include Center Director Ronald Linden and Patrick Altdorfer (The University of Pittsburgh); Myra Marx Ferree and Nils Ringe (University of Wisconsin-Madison); David Crew, Per Urlaub and Peter Rehberg (University of Texas- Austin).

Sharing the Wealth: An EU-US Free Trade Agreement

President Obama recently announced the beginning of negotiations designed to produce a US-EU Free Trade Agreement. Significant issues include opening markets for agriculture products, trade in services, access to public contracts, and the impact of such an exclusive bilateral deal on the emerging and less developed markets. Participants include Ambassador (ret.) J.D. Bindenagel (DePaul University), Martin Staniland (University of Pittsburgh), David Cleeton (Illinois State University), Zaki Laïdi (Sciences Po in Paris, France), and Ben Beachy (Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch).

NATO: A Hammer in Search of a Nail

A Spring 2013 installment of "Conversations on Europe". With its post-Cold War role in Europe behind it, an end to its role in Afghanistan planned for 2014, and new challenges in the Arab world, NATO is at yet another turning point in searching for a new role. Participants include Marina Skordeli, Director of the Jean Monnet Center at The University of Athens; Taylor Seybolt, Assistant Professor at The University of Pittsburgh; Ryan Hendrickson, Professor of Political Science, Eastern Illinois University; and Gulnur Aybet, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Kent.

The Next Member State: Croatia's Path to the European Union

A Spring 2013 installment of "Conversations on Europe". The EUCE/ESC and REES bring together experts via videoconference to discuss Croatia's prospects and challenges as it seeks EU membership. Panelists include: Nataša Beširević (University of Zagreb, visiting scholar at U Cal Berkeley), Laura Hastings (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Robert M. Hayden (University of Pittsburgh), Dominik Tolksdorf (Johns Hopkins University). Moderated by Andrew Konitzer (University of Pittsburgh)

Interview with Pitt's EUCE/ESC Director, Ron Linden

Dr. Ronald Linden, Director of the EU Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh talks about the strengths, resources, and opportunities his center has to offer to students who would like to study European Affairs.