An International Conference
"The European Union and the United States: Partners for Peace or Global Competitors?"
April 2-3, 2007

Jean-David Levitte

The Riley Institute at Furman, in partnership with Michelin North America Inc., the Office of Academic Affairs and Dean, and the Department of Political Science, hosted a two-day conference April 2-3 that took an in-depth look at the European Union and its relationship with the United States.

“The European Union and the United States: Partners for Peace or Global Competitors?” featured addresses by Jean-David Levitte, French Ambassador to the U.S., and Alexander Stubb, a Furman alumnus and member of the European Parliament of Finland. Wlodzimirez Cimoszewicz, former prime minister of Poland, who was at Furman as the Riley Institute’s Head-of-Government in Residence, participated in one of the panel discussions. To view the prime minister's complete biography, click here.

Ambassador Levitte, the French Ambassador to the United States, delivered the keynote address, "EU-US Relations in a Transformed World," on Monday, April 2 at 8 PM in Younts Conference Center located on Furman's campus. The common market of the EU commands a gross domestic product of over 13 trillion US dollars. What is happening to the relationship of the US and the EU in this new international arena? Is the US losing out to Europe in an economic competition? Ambassdor Levitte addressed these important issues and more. To view The Greenville News article on the ambassador's address, click here.

Levitte, one of the most powerful political figures in France, has had a distinguished career in the French Foreign Service. During his career, he has been on the staff of French President Valery Giscard d’ Estaing (1975-1981), Counselor for France to the United Nations, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the African Bureau, Assistant Secretary for Asian Affairs, Undersecretary for Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, and Senior Diplomatic Advisor to President Jacques Chirac.

Alexander Stubb

Stubb, one of the European Union’s best known parliamentarians who received the highest number of votes of any parliamentarian in the 2004 EU elections, gave the closing address on Tuesday, April 3 at 8 p.m. in the Younts Conference Center. He spoke on “The State of the European Union.” To view an article written by Kate Hofler, FUnet writer, on Stubb's address, click here, and for Furman's press release, click here.

The conference also featured two panel discussions. “The Religious Factor in EU-US Relations” took place Monday, April 2 at 3 p.m. in the University Center’s Watkins Room. The second panel discussion titled “How United Are the States of Europe? Charting Europe’s Course in the 21st Century” was held on Tuesday, April 3 at 3 p.m. at Younts Conference Center.

For a complete list of speakers and their biographies, and the schedule of events, click here.

For more photos, click here.

You can click on the links at right to learn more about our past national conferences and policy series. Members of the public are encouraged to join us for stimulating discussions featuring leading experts.