On June 10-12 2025, Aspen Institute Romania will organize the this Socrates Seminar, in partnership with the Aspen Institute Socrates Program.
The Seminar will be organized in Brussels, in cooperation with NATO and powered by the Brussels-based Aspen Romania Office & Alumni Hub.
For the 3 days of the Seminar, we will explore, in a transatlantic context, the strategies for reinforcing transatlantic cohesion, countering authoritarian influence, and leveraging innovation to strengthen security, democracy, and economic resilience.
If you are interested in participating, please contact socrates@aspeninstitute.org.
Forging Resilience and Innovation in an Era of Global Fracture
As 2025 unfolds, the transatlantic community finds itself at a critical juncture, facing a world increasingly defined by fragmentation, geopolitical competition, and rapid technological disruption.
The global landscape is marked by heightened tensions between democratic and authoritarian models, economic instability, and the weaponization of technology, energy, and information. The erosion of multilateral institutions and norms raises fundamental questions about the future of the global order and the ability of democracies to sustain resilience, competitiveness, and unity.
For the European Union, these challenges coincide with the urgent need to close the innovation gap, develop a joint roadmap for competitiveness, and reduce strategic dependencies to enhance resilience and economic security. The EU’s ability to lead in technology, energy, and industrial policy will be crucial in shaping its position in a shifting global order.
Taking place in Brussels, the Seminar will serve as a vital platform for informal yet high-level discussions, bringing together 25 – 30 participants – senior representatives from NATO, the EU, and the Brussels’ international and diplomatic community, key policymakers, experts, and thought leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, alongside relevant representatives of the diverse communities of the network of international Aspen Institutes, to navigate these complex challenges.
The seminar will explore strategies for reinforcing transatlantic cohesion, countering authoritarian influence, and leveraging innovation to strengthen security, democracy, and economic resilience. The participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions to forge actionable strategies for a world in flux.
Moderated by Ryan Patel, a globally recognized futurist and leading voice on global business, political economy, and corporate governance, and Radu Puchiu, Co-Founder and CEO, H.appy Cities.
