Transatlantic Focal Points

Conflict and Democratization - The Middle East, South Asia and beyond

Strengthening democracy and transforming conflicts are common goals of the transatlantic partners. The FES contributes to a political dialogue on these issues through valuable on the ground experience in conflict areas worldwide, especially in the broader Middle East and thanks to extensive knowledge and work experience in the field of democratic support.

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

We promote the elimination of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons (Weapons of Mass Destruction, WMD). We also aim to foster the transatlantic and international dialogue on the illegal possession and spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. State and non-state actors could jeopardize national interests, which makes it necessary to engage an in-depth dialogue.

Minorities and Integration

Immigration, minorities and integration are closely interlinked but the underlying challenges and strategies vary in different societies. To better promote an understanding of the different perceptions we engage policy makers, young leaders, scholars, journalists and writers in the necessary and ongoing international dialogue.

3 E - Energy, Environment, Economy

The interlinking roles of energy, environment and economics play an increasingly complex part in transatlantic and international politics. Opinions differ across the Atlantic on issues of renewable energy, job creation, natural resources, and climate change. However, it is clear that continued transatlantic dialogue - as well as a renewed focus on the "blue-green" coalition of labor and environmental groups - can help create economically beneficial policies that also take environmental concerns into account. Germany's promotion of technologies in the renewable energy field, and the U.S. recent focus on "green jobs" are only two areas in which cooperation is viable.

Economic and Labor Relations

The global financial and economic crisis poses a unique challenge and opportunity for the transatlantic partners. We want to contribute to a political dialogue on economic and labor relations with a special focus on social justice and workers on both sides of the Atlantic. We actively engage to further labor rights while recognizing that good labor relations are about balancing workplace goals and rights. To advance the discourse over labor rights, we are facilitating a transatlantic labor dialogue between policy makers, scholars and unions from Europe and the United States.

Forum Current Issues

This forum contributes to and actively promotes a comprehensive international trialogue (Europeans, U.S. Americans as well as partners from other regions) focusing on current political, economic and social developments and challenges in Europe, the United States, and Canada.