The Importance of the Transatlantic Partnership in Times of Global Crises
Opportunity and Imperative for Cooperation
Both Germany and the United States have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath and have responded in different ways. The reactions by the two democratic nations, which differ significantly in certain areas, can provide valuable insight into which structures and tools have proven particularly effective in the fight against the pandemic and which might be useful and applicable during future crises. This project will explore tools and solutions through transatlantic cooperation to lessen the dramatic consequences the pandemic has had for global societies and economies.
Project Description
AGI will focus on three topic areas that are of particular relevance for the German-American partnership:
- As the United States and Germany rebuild their economies after the pandemic, which elements of transatlantic economic systems have helped populations weather unemployment, financial strain, and social distancing constraints? Which elements can enhance future resiliency?
- The differing healthcare systems have shown significant advantages and disadvantages during different phases of the pandemic. Despite these dissimilar systems, are there areas of convergence or reform? Which coalitions, for example between medical experts, research institutions, politics, or civil society, can help?
- Transatlantic communities have witnessed the proliferation of extremism and conspiracy theories in the past few years, only to accelerate as a direct consequence of the pandemic. What can be done to stem the negative consequences for democracies, their people, and institutions?
AGI will discuss these topics with experts from both sides of the Atlantic in a series of webinars, articles, and podcasts. AGI endeavors to strengthen and widen the partnership between the two countries through transatlantic cooperation during times of crises and to grow the transatlantic network of experts and organizations that have so far not been part of the German-American exchange.
The project was supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
