As part of the International Development Interest Group’s (IDIG) International Week, the Bloustein School is hosting a discussion with Antoine Ripoll, Director of the European Parliament Liaison Office with the US Congress. The discussion, “What is the Future of The European Union (and liberal democracy) in a Dis-Integrating World?” and will be held on Wednesday, April 4, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Room 261 of the Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick.
Americans and Europeans share similar experiences: polarized public opinion, the emergence of populists in government, a rapidly changing economic and social environment, doubts about the resilience of our post-war principles and values. At the same time, new powers are quickly emerging, mostly on the Asian continent: China is about to overcome America as the world’s economic leader, and the next technological generation is about to transform our way of life in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
How to make sense of all this? Are we witnessing the end of a world order based on western values? And if this is the case, what will replace the “good old” multilateral order? To what extent are citizens aware of this evolution, and is public opinion equipped to shape our common future? Nobody can pretend to know the answer to these fundamental interrogations, but Antoine Ripoll will offer his views and debate with students.
Antoine Ripoll is Director at the European Parliament, European Parliament Liaison Office with the US Congress. Heading the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) with the U.S. Congress since late 2012, Antoine Ripoll is a long-time EU official who previously served as the Director for Relations with political groups in the General Secretariat of the European Parliament. He served in various capacities in political Groups from 1990 till 2012. His role as director of the EPLO is to bring together American and European Legislators on the main transatlantic issues.
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Prior to Mr. Ripoll’s talk Christopher Coakley, EP Liaison Officer (Universities & Think Tanks), will be available to discuss internship opportunities with interested students. This discussion will beginning at 4:00 p.m. This is a paid internship for three months in Washington DC, with the option of a two-month extension in Brussels. U.S. citizens and those with US work authorization are eligible to apply.