Roundtable & Discussion

Visit of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's German Chancellor Fellowship Programme

Within the framework of the Chancellor-Scholarship Program for Future Leaders, the Amerika Haus e.V. NRW in cooperation with the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation welcomed 30 scholars from the US, China and Russia to discuss “USA-China-Russia: Three Powers at the Crossroads?” at the CMS Hasche Sigle Law Firm in Cologne.

 

The scholars have all proven strong leadership skills in their careers and represent a wide range of disciplines and jobs. Among the guests were representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation and the Russian Society NRW e.V.

 

The Chancellor-Scholarship Program was founded in 1990 in order to promote the transatlantic partnership between Germany and the United States. Since then it has been extended to Russia and China and it is financially sponsored by the German Foreign Ministry.

 

The discussion’s starting point was the question, whether the three powers US, China and Russia are currently all facing a crossroad and thus having to face the challenge of redefining their global position. It soon became clear that this complex question cannot be answered without taking into account the different cultures and traditions as well as differences in approaching political and economic matters. It became clear however that all three countries are currently facing a similar challenge: Improving their economic situation and thus stabilizing their political situation. The scholars quickly agreed on a general principle: All three countries – all of them crucial for the world economy – were facing a situation that made closer cooperation among each other mandatory.

 

Additionally to the political aspects, economic development should be pushed to the top of a common agenda. In no other way neither the rapidly growing resource-crisis can be prevented nor related questions concerning climate and environmental problems can be addressed in a quick and transparent way.

 

“Communication” was the key word closing the conversation. From the scholars’ point of view, only with a clear understanding of their countries’ cultural, political and economic situation, American-Chinese-Russian relations could be wholly transparent. Communicating on the same level would thus be the best prerequisite for the success of such cooperation.