In the midst of organizing the final phases of our international conference - "Redefining Europe" , the Ashburn Institute launched an exciting new program for graduate students across the world. The program was a series of five videoconference debates, held between January and March 2004, where students from American University in Washington D.C. , Kiev University for Market Relations in Ukraine , Poznan University in Poland and Oklahoma State University took issue with various questions concerning European enlargement and the future of transatlantic relations.
The Ashburn Institute created an interesting twist by letting each school represent a specific country, American University representing the Republic of Ireland -at that time presiding over the European Union, Oklahoma State representing the United States , and Kiev University and Poznan University both representing their own country.
During the series of five debates, each school had a turn at leading the discussion. Themes were the following:
January 22, 2004: The Advantages and Disadvantages of EU enlargement for transatlantic relations
Discussion led by American University representing the Republic of Ireland
February 5, 2004: The EU Constitution and its implications
Discussion led by Poland
February 19, 2004: Foreign Policy: The Consequences of EU enlargement for international security
Discussion led by Oklahoma State University representing the United States
March 4, 2004: Globalization: Consequences of EU enlargement for economy and trade
Discussion led by Ukraine
The final videoconference, held on March 27, 2004 , took on a different format. Originally, different schools were supposed to debate with each other about a scenario created by the Ashburn Institute staff in front of an audience of academics and keynotes gathered in Prague for the Ashburn Institute's first global conference on "Redefining Europe" . Unfortunately, the video connection with the Czech Republic was not up to par, so with quick thinking across the ocean -between our office in D.C. and Prague , a backup plan was devised. This consisted of each school presenting a position about a topic at hand, and then facing questions from the jury in Prague concerning the viability of their solution.
The topic chosen involved a security issue with Turkey , the US , and the EU. It dealt with a possible invasion into Turkey -against Turkey 's wishes- to attack Iraqi insurgents. The main question then became the power the EU has or should have in this type of situation to prevent US invasion or to convince Turkey -as a potential EU member- to cooperate with EU/US wishes.
All of the schools had strong presentations, and the opinions for a solution varied greatly. Oklahoma State University -representing the US in true superpower style- said that the US should go in no matter what everyone else said because lives were at stake. All other schools were against such a strong US position and as such they seemed to reflect the reality of many real world debates!
However, Poznan University made the best diplomatic compromise, thus winning the debate and earning a Frank Fund Scholarship from the organization. Their solution allowed for an invasion, but under NATO/European leadership.
In the end, the videoconference series landed as an experience that seemed to accomplish the admirable goal of connecting future leaders across the globe. Now that this program has ended and that the technology has improved and become increasingly more reliable we are looking forward to recruiting more schools and participants for the second series.
Participants reactions -Click HERE !
A Tribute to Videoconferences, poem by Alexandra Klimenko, participant from the Kiev University for Market Relations -Click HERE !
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