Events

Europe in the World

Navigating Europe’s digital transition
25 Jan 2022 14:00 - 15:15
Introduction

Co-organised with the Irish Institute of International & European Affairs.

Recalibrating industrial policy, digital connectivity and the transatlantic partnership

Governments around the world struggle with the rapid development in digital technologies, that permeate every aspect of life. The European Union wants to be at the forefront of addressing the issue, taking a different approach to the digital domain than China and the US. Should the interests of users, the state or big business prevail in technological innovation? How to balance privacy and consumer protection, state security and economic competitiveness?

Set against this backdrop, the European Commission in September 2021 announced Global Gateway, a grand strategy that seeks to revitalize the Connectivity strategy of 2018. With Global Gateway the EU seeks to promote its human-centered approach that emphasizes sustainability and a rules-based system, as well as openness, transparency, and individual rights regarding the digital domain. This effort dovetails the revitalization of the EU industrial policy in member states, and the cooperation with partners. The EU-US Trade and Technology Council is a key example.

In this webinar, European policymakers and experts discuss the state of play, and more importantly, the way forward, exploring a key question of our time: how to navigate the digital transition?

Watch the webinar below.

Programme

Word of Welcome

  • Joyce O’Connor, Chair of the Digital Group, Institute of International and European Affairs

Introductions

  • Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Senior Research Fellow, the Clingendael Institute
  • Erik O Donovan, Head of Digital Economy Policy, Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec)
  • Heleen Bakker, Director for European and International Affairs in the Dutch
    Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy

Discussion / Q&A and discussion with participants

  • Moderated by Brigitte Dekker, Associate Fellow, Clingendael Institute


Watch webinar: