EU Day Symposium: Europe's Current and Future State of the Union
Fri, May 09
|World Affairs Council of Atlanta
On EU Day 2025, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta will host a half-day symposium exploring the historic changes facing the European Union in the wake of Russia’s three-year war in Ukraine and the second Trump Administration’s growing hostility toward Europe and NATO.
Time & Location
May 09, 2025, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT
World Affairs Council of Atlanta, 3348 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 802, Atlanta, GA 30326
About the event
Topic Summaries
Powering Europe’s Future: Policies, Public Attitudes, and Challenges
This panel discussion delves into Europe's evolving energy landscape, featuring insights from leading academics. Despite sharing an energy grid, member states exhibit diverse policies and public attitudes towards renewables, nuclear energy, and international cooperation. The discussion highlights recent achievements in solar production by France, Germany, and Italy, while also addressing potential disruptions from a looming trade war with the U.S. The panel explores the complexities of balancing energy prices, sustainability, and geopolitical challenges. Distinguished Speakers: Adam Stulberg (confirmed), Sam Nunn School Chair and Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology.
Arming Europe’s Defense: Adapting to New Threats and Shifting Alliances
In this panel, experts examine Europe's strategic shift towards increased armament in response to emerging threats and changing alliances. The discussion reflects on Germany's Zeitenwende in 2022, which marked a significant turning point in European defense policy. The panelists analyze the continent-wide efforts to bolster defense capabilities amidst uncertainties surrounding long-standing security alliances with the U.S. The conversation underscores the urgency of adapting to new geopolitical realities and safeguarding Europe from diverse threats. Distinguished Speakers: Katja Weber, Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology
EU Day 2025: Europe’s Vision for the Future
This panel features European Consuls General discussing contemporary perspectives on European identity, values, and norms. The conversation explores what it means to be European today, considering the evolving cultural and political landscape. The panelists also address Europe's role and influence on the global stage, reflecting on the continent's contributions to international affairs and its vision for the future. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the changing dynamics within Europe and its aspirations moving forward. Distinguished Speakers: Konstantinos Adamopoulos (confirmed), Consul General of Greece in Atlanta; Melanie Moltmann (confirmed), Consul General of Germany in Atlanta; Anne-Laure Desjonquères (confirmed), Consul General of France in Atlanta.