Young Voters Talk:
Across the Pond – Politics, Power, Participation
A trans-Atlantic Online Series on Democracy, Elections, and Social Cohesion
Politicians are being attacked, elections are deemed “rigged”, democratic institutions are called into question, checks and balances seem to cause constant gridlock, and extremists are gaining ground… 2024 looks like an election year on both sides of the pond that doesn’t offer much hope for the future.
The sheer force of challenges to our societies - locally, regionally, and globally, including a rapidly changing climate that threatens our very existence - could lead to despair. Yet, it’s up to us to turn things around. How do we restore the fabric of our societies and revive our democracies to make them fit for the tasks ahead?
In our trans-Atlantic talk series “Across the Pond”, curated and moderated by Dr. Tobias Endler and organized in partnership with Open Embassy for Democracy (OPEM) and University of Cologne New York Office, we will hear two young voters from each side of the Atlantic who share their ideas about how to move forward. What can each one of us do, what does it take to explore new paths? What really works?
Join us live, online, and for free. And prepare to be called upon.
Next sessionS:
Past Events
In the Driver’s Seat: What Anyone Can Do for Democracy, About Democracy, and With Democracy
October 30, 2024
With just over a week to go before the U.S. presidential election and elections across Germany quickly approaching, we will take a step back from a frantic race and look at the bigger picture: What can any citizen do for their democracy besides casting a vote every couple of years? What does it mean to participate in the community around us, and to help shape society as “active designers” instead of “passive consumers”? What are strategies to reach out to our fellow citizens, and who will listen? We will reflect on the seemingly waning importance of political institutions, and the lack of trust and authority office holders and experts alike experience these days. There are many bold ideas out there, on both sides of the Atlantic: What works, and what doesn’t?
We debated these questions with education and anti-trafficking advocate Rachel Labi, and Founder and Project Manager at Youth Lead the Change Germany Clara Kallich. This talk is part of our trans-Atlantic series “Across the Pond” in collaboration with Open Embassy for Democracy (OPEM) and University of Cologne New York Office. Curated and moderated by Tobias Endler.
Crunch Time: Upcoming Elections in the U.S. and Germany - Hot Topics, Cold Realities
September 25, 2024
With elections in the German state of Brandenburg and federal elections in the United States coming up, we want to take a closer look at the critical topics across the Atlantic: migration, economy and inflation, equality and reproductive health rights. How can we fix these problems? What do the candidates for office suggest?
Together, we debated these questions with Franziska Riel, Head of Communication for a member of the German Bundestag; and J. Miles Coleman, Associate Editor at The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. This talk is part of our trans-Atlantic series “Across the Pond” in collaboration with Open Embassy for Democracy (OPEM) and University of Cologne New York Office. Curated and moderated by Tobias Endler.
Ghosted? Democracy and its institutions – too old, too slow, and too out of touch?
August 28, 2024
Every other member of the U.S. Senate is a millionaire, and 9 out of 10 members of the German Bundestag have spent time at a university at some point; a significant number never worked in a job outside of politics. Is it any surprise that many U.S. and German citizens consider their country’s democratic institutions out of touch when it comes to the life and work of the average citizen?
We debated these questions with Center for American Progress Director of Technology Policy Megan Shahi, Missions Publiques co-director Antoine Vergne, and Centre for European Reform chief economist Sander Tordoir.
Just a Piece of Paper? Democratic Constitutions - a bulwark against totalitarian regimes or an obstacle to progress?
July 24, 2024
Constitutions used to be a symbol of national identity. In democracies, they state the principles and ideals that citizens can rally around. But does this still work today?
Together, we explored these principles with German journalist and podcast host Hanna Israel and U.S. public historian Shelby Dains.
Politics without Politicians
June 19, 2024
Politics is hard work, and holding public office is tough. Recently, it can even mean dealing with heckling and physical violence. How can we ensure that citizens stay engaged? What would politics look like if there were no one more prepared to do the job? During this discussion, we reviewed these challenges with Jasmin Miah, Head of Berlin Office at Local Governments for Sustainability (ILCLEI), and Marco Morales, Adjunct Professor at Western Washington University, teaching Introduction to Latino Studies and Latino Migrants in the U.S.