1. "What is your current assessment of the 'state' of transatlantic relations?"

The present 'state' of transatlantic relations is more dependent than ever on innovative ideas that emanate from actors in the private sector, in civil society and in the media. The role of states in a global environment is changing. The term "human security" underlines a need in the new century to place the rights of peoples alongside those of states in world affairs. The prevalence of intra-state conflict points to the fact that, in different regions, ethnic peoples no longer look to the existing states in which they may be located geographically as a source of identity. The challenge for the transatlantic relationship in the coming decades will be to address conflict in its many forms, ethnic, terrorist, economic and social, i.e., tensions within societies over scarce resources like water. At present, a "culture of prevention" does not exist. This feeds into tensions in transatlantic affairs ranging from how to address the needs in the Balkans, the threat of terrorism and violence in the Middle East. The newer generations are called to reshape the transatlantic relationship through their experiences. These experiences are more likely to be influenced by the technological advances that impact on their education and professional endeavors. How each country in the transatlantic arena adapts the use of technology to meet its cultural specificity is likely to determine in part how the relationship between a larger Europe and the United States evolves.

2. "Do you think that the next decade will bring positive news in the two 'historical' pillars of the US-EU relations: security and trade?"

The next decade is likely to be marked by tensions in the security and trade fields between Europe and the United States. This may be in part because of divergent notions of security within Europe as well as between certain European countries and the United States. It is in the interest of the two continents to enhance the opportunities for trade that may exist because bickering over trade disputes tends to spill over into the broader security debate. One of the questions which successor generations will be asked to answer is whether the values that the two continents share are sufficient to counter increasingly divergent views of the world and its troubles, particularly in areas like the Middle East and Central Asia.

3. "Being the two richest and most democratic areas on the planet, do you think that both the EU and the US societies face a special responsibility regarding globalization on the
one hand; and on the other hand, do you think that they will face a growing number of similar challenges in their way towards the next decades? Should the transatlantic relationship be improved?"

The Miami Congress can bring a fresh perspective into the present debate on transatlantic relations by introducing participants who are new to the existing community of persons who are active in this field. It is important to build networks of younger persons across the Atlantic who also want to understand, and are curious about, other parts of the world. Face-to-face meetings are essential to build these newer networks that can in turn be sustained by technological communications tools in the day-to-day. The idea to hold a TIES Congress every two years is a significant one. It demonstrates a sustained commitment and sends a signal to citizens. It is important for people on both continents to know that there are forums in which they can participate to express their ideas about the future discourse between the continents.

4. Is the ‘people-to-people’ cooperation able to open new fields of constructive US-EU cooperation in the coming years? In which way?

People-to-people links are essential, in my view, to help new fields of constructive EU-US cooperation to emerge over the next two to three generations. As a multimedia educator, my time is heavily invested in developing new pedagogical approaches to link students and citizens in Europe and the United States. Experience has taught me that seminars that can use multimedia tools and traditional teaching effectively to promote active learning among students across borders are a tremendous force for change over time. This type of innovative educational experience has potential to be a cornerstone, in my opinion, in the creation of the popular attitudes that can help support a transatlantic society during the next 50 years.

5. Being the two richest and most democratic areas on the planet, do you think that both the EU and the US societies face a special responsibility regarding globalization on the one hand; and on the other hand, do you think that they will face a growing number of similar challenges in their way towards the next decades?

Globalization poses a challenge for all societies in that there is a challenge to reap the most from its positive contributions. For example, there are more efficient and broader options in communications for an exponentially increasing number of persons over time. We must also address its negative influences, particularly the digital divide and tremendous gaps in economic standards of living. One of the strongest challenges Europe and the United States face together is that of mass immigration. This condition can occur either as a result of poor economic conditions or life threatening situations in the countries from which large groups of immigrants flee. There is a need in European and American societies to understand why this migration exists, to make room for tolerance, if not empathy, for the plight of these peoples, and not to view the situation as a threat to the very existence of the country receiving the immigrants. This is a huge task because it requires, in some cases, a change of mentality. Europe and America have much to learn from each other's experiences, for this reason. The youth on each continent is particularly implicated in this challenge.

6. Beyond treaties, organizations, common interests, ... the cooperation between Europeans and Americans is, in the end, a matter of people cooperating with people (politicians, civil servants, businessmen, executives, professors, activists,). How do you assess this 'human factor' today? Should it be improved?

Sadly, the world is a less civilized place. One has only to look at the incidents of lack of respect for human life to feel that something is fundamentally amiss. It strikes me that people resort to drastic actions when there is a feeling of exclusion- from society and its advantages, and specifically from one of its groups that may be perceived as more privileged. The "human factor" in transatlantic affairs is about bringing people into a debate defined as a common one by them. It is about making people aware that an ocean, even the Atlantic, is made to be bridged, and must be to create a society for us all. For this reason, there is a need to implicate Europeans and Americans in the new transatlantic debate, which could have as a result to illustrate that Europe is more than a common market and a single currency. In reality, it's a way of life, a cultural expression, a state of mind. The generation gap on both continents is significant. Feelings of exclusion are saddest in the younger generations, but all generations are implicated. It is this sense of exclusion across the generations, which impacts on each one differently, that the "human factor" must address.