BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES)

As today’s global market is shaped by rapid technological advancement, diverging regulations, and political instability, “we should not fear competition, but welcome it.” This was Oliver Zipse’s main message as he delivered the 8th Herbert Quandt Distinguished Lecture on The Hilltop last week. He noted that geopolitical shocks of the last few decades— COVID, financial crises, armed conflicts— have all led to a “dissolution in global collaboration.”

In his introduction, SFS Dean Joel Hellman reminded us that, “one of the things we have learned at this moment of tremendous change is how critical the role of the private sector is in shaping wherever the global order goes from here.”

As Chairman of the Board of BMW, Mr. Zipse is cultivating an open, fact-driven global marketplace driven by customer demands and innovation. Mr. Zipse highlighted the importance of American technologies and manufacturing as “a perfect example of successful foreign direct investment and the economic benefits of open markets and free trade.” This sort of collaboration and growth will help bring a future in which the global marketplace can thrive by "sharing ideas and experiences with people from every culture.”

Thank you to BMW Group for making this event possible!

Read the full event recap here: https://cges.georgetown.edu/news/event-recap/chairman-of-the-board-of-bmw-oliver-zipse-strategic-challenges-for-theglobal-auto-industry/

In today’s highly polarized world, it is crucial to understand how ordinary experiences are driving right- and left-wing populism. Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Lorenza Antonucci of the University of Cambridge to discuss her latest book release: Insecurity Politics. Insecurity Politics explores how economic, cultural, and political factors shape receptivity to anti-establishment politics.

The event will take place on April 13 at 12:30 pm in ICC 700. Lunch will be provided!

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-insecurity-politics-with-lorenza-antonucci-tickets-1985445821900?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please join us Thursday!

In today’s tumultuous world, what happens when soft power meets hard realities? Please join us for a lunch chat with Dr. Aleš Musar to discuss this question, particularly when it comes to supporting victims of war. Dr. Musar is the spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia and an active leader in the humanitarian domain of helping victims of war in Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere.

The event will take place next Thursday, March 26th at 11:30 am in McGhee Library and lunch will be provided!

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soft-power-meets-hard-realities-tickets-1985140025254?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Be sure to check out this event on NATO and Baltic security this Thursday!

Please join us for this upcoming Speaker Series event, hosted by Prof Sara Moller: “NATO's Northern Flank and Baltic Security: Reflections from the Supreme Commander, Swedish Armed Forces, Gen. Michael Claesson"

This event will appeal to those interested in:
NATO Northern Flank, Baltic Security, U.S.-Swedish Strategic Alignment, The Arctic, The High North

This event is open to Georgetown University. We hope to see you there!

🗓️ Thursday, March 26 | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
🎟️ Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/natos-northern-flank-and-baltic-security-tickets-1985314577344?aff=oddtdtcreator

This event is sponsored by: Georgetown Center for Security Studies, BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES), Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies (CERES), Georgetown University M.S. in Foreign Service Program (MSFS)

In today’s tumultuous world, what happens when soft power meets hard realities? Please join us for a lunch chat with Dr. Aleš Musar to discuss this question, particularly when it comes to supporting victims of war. Dr. Musar is the spouse of the President of the Republic of Slovenia and an active leader in the humanitarian domain of helping victims of war in Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere.

The event will take place next Thursday, March 26th at 11:30 am in McGhee Library and lunch will be provided!

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soft-power-meets-hard-realities-tickets-1985140025254?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Just one week until we welcome Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of BMW Group, to the Hilltop on March 23! Mr. Zipse will be delivering the 8th Herbert Quandt Distinguished Lecture on "Navigating Global Change: Strategic Priorities for the Global Auto Industry."

Herbert Quandt (1910-1982) was instrumental in taking BMW to enduring international success in the post-war period and he was keenly interested in fostering dialogue and increasing mutual understanding within and among nations. The Herbert Quandt Distinguished Lecture Series was established in his honor to advance these noble ideals.

Please join us in Gaston Hall! RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oliver-zipse-on-strategic-challenges-for-the-global-auto-industry-tickets-1984503659868?aff=oddtdtcreator

This year’s Transatlantic Policy Symposium ( ) asked the question: what happens when the external support system that once reinforced Europe’s model of integration and law is eroding? Through panels on European security and economic regulation, students and scholars presented original research, discussed, and debated Europe’s future and the prospects of the transatlantic alliance in emerging technology and security.

We were honored to have Guillermo Corral van Damme, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Spain to the United States () as our keynote speaker. We also want to thank our panel of experts who offered a United States perspective on the future of collaboration across the Atlantic.

Our alumni panel concluded this year’s symposium by offering valuable insights on careers in the emerging world of tech and security.

We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the German Academic Exchange Service (.usa), and the Delegation of the European Union to the United States ().
A hearty congratulations to our TAPS co-chairs; Nilz Althainz (MAES ‘26) and Angelina Braese (MAES ‘26). Their time and effort made this year’s symposium a success.

We hope that the conversations started here will continue to help shape and inform the way we understand the transatlantic relationship in years to come.

From building the missing links in the Trans-European Transport Network to advancing a European high-speed rail vision, Europe is strengthening connectivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. Join us on March 10 at 1:30 PM at Georgetown University’s Mortara Center to discuss these exciting advancements with the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Please RSVP at the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983620645749?aff=oddtdtcreator

With all the uncertainties around America's relationship with its allies across the water (NATO? Greenland? Ukraine?), right NOW is the time to become an expert in the Transatlantic relationship!

Apply for a Master of Arts in European Studies by midnight this Thursday for scholarship consideration. Learn more here: https://sfs.georgetown.edu/ma-european-studies/admissions-tuition/how-to-apply/

We are excited to welcome Dorothee Bär, MdB , Germany’s Federal Minister on Research, Technology, and Space for a conversation on developments in the German research and innovation landscape. The discussion will focus on the bilateral cooperation between the US and Germany, particularly in the areas of research, technology, and space. We look forward to welcoming Minister Bär to discuss these important issues at such a critical time.

Please join us for the event on December 9th at 12:30 PM in ICC 700 and for a lunch to follow!

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/german-and-us-cooperation-on-research-technology-and-space-tickets-1975013996028?aff=oddtdtcreator

Over the past couple of weeks, our first-year MAES students engaged in a simulation of the European Council for their course, “Politics in Europe and the EU” with CGES’ Dr. Paulina Patana. This yearly exercise highlights their research, communication, and negotiating skills while getting a taste of diplomacy in action! This year’s debate covered a variety of topics, including trade, tariffs, and energy policy. Thank you to Dr. Patana for organizing and our first year students for their enthusiastic participation. We can’t wait to see them taking on these issues in the future!