Panels
Discover Our Debate Topics and Expert Reports Focus
In the morning international block, the Conference will focus mainly on the topics of Transatlantic and Geopolitical Challenges: Is Europe Ready for the Future?, The Future of Democracy in Europe and North America, and Innovation in Defense: Capabilities for Space and Cyberspace. The different parts of the program will also focus on the pressure that is being exerted on values in society, not only as a result of the ongoing war conflicts in Europe, but also due to the current influence of new digital technologies.
In the afternoon block, we will address current issues and challenges specific to the Czech Republic. The discussions based on expert studies will focus on topics such as Education: Managing Educational Systems, Micro and small Enterprises: The Role of Key Actors in Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Czech Republic and The Future of the Czech Labor Market. The basis for the individual panels will be expert studies prepared exclusively under the auspices of Aspen Institute Central Europe in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, Data Ethics Lab, PAQ Research, and Daniel Koštoval discussed within the expert groups of Aspen Institute Central Europe.
Morning session
Transatlantic and Geopolitical Challenges: Is Europe Ready for the Future?
The keynote speeches in this session will focus not only on values leadership and its current challenges in Central European society, but also on the current geopolitical challenges facing Europe and Europe’s ability to respond to them. Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of transatlantic relations, in the context of security, economics and politics, and on an analysis of internal European challenges such as political cohesion, economic stability and technological competitiveness. The panel discussion will also examine whether the EU’s current strategic approaches and policies are sufficient for addressing future threats and recommend steps necessary to enhance European preparedness.
Innovation in Defense: Capabilities for Space and Cyberspace
Study by Aspen Institute CE and Daniel Koštoval
In order to defend our security and liberal-democratic values, we need to take a proactive approach to innovation in the defense sector, especially in view of the ongoing war conflicts, in Europe and beyond. Over the last seven decades, the EU and NATO have played an important role in the stability of our continent. Their main role has been to uphold the values on which the organizations were founded (democracy, freedom, equality), respect human rights, and contribute to peace and security throughout the world.
Our democratic systems today face growing threats and conflicts that increasingly extend into space, a domain we share with less democratic powers. The strategic significance of space shapes the policies of allies in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Innovation in space technologies is crucial, as our reliance on space systems for communication, navigation, surveillance and intelligence continues to grow. While space technologies offer undeniable military advantages, they also raise questions of vulnerability. Our adversaries are innovating in the areas of degrading or neutralizing space assets. Anti-satellite weapon tests and the restoration of satellite networks will play significant roles in the future. Our security will be determined by our ability to defend, not only in the space domain, but also in cyberspace. Planning and developing an industrial base are essential for ensuring cybersecurity, as cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more complex. It is of great importance to have a clear strategic plan for developing technologies capable of protecting the critical infrastructure. Based on the recommendations from this study, specialized analyses should follow, focusing on defining specific risks and proposing viable solutions.
The Future of Democracy in Europe and North America
In the next international panel, participants will focus on the current state of democracy on both sides of the Atlantic, with special attention on major challenges and threats. These include the polarization of society, the spread of disinformation by artificial intelligence, and attempts to undermine democratic values, including in the context of ongoing wars around the world. As 2024 is an election year in both Europe and the US, the panel will focus on the key issues of the day: how current political and social dynamics are shaping electoral strategies and preferences, and what implications these elections may have for future global stability and transatlantic cooperation. It will also discuss the impact of media, disinformation and technological innovation on electoral processes and democratic institutions.
Afternoon session
Education: Managing Educational Systems
Study by Aspen Institute CE and PAQ Research
The education system in the Czech Republic has long been ineffective and key stakeholders are calling for changes in the system that would bring about positive changes in the management of local education systems in elementary education. This year, a panel discussion based on a study by PAQ Research will summarize foreign and domestic trends in the management of local education systems, describe the situation in micro-regions in the Czech Republic at the elementary education level, and present solutions discussed or already implemented for the Czech Republic, such as the federation of schools education. It does not neglect to make use of the data description of inefficiencies in the structure of the education system in the Czech Republic at the level of elementary education. On the basis of partial findings and examples of good practice, recommendations will be formulated for the various protagonists in the education system, education policy and especially the founders. The recommendations will be structured in such a way to present a clear process as to how the described good practice can be gradually applied in a given territory.
Micro and small Enterprises: The Role of Key Actors in Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Czech Republic
Study by Aspen Institute CE and Data Ethics Lab
Small and micro enterprises (MSEs) in the Czech Republic contribute significantly to the performance of our economy, provide high levels of employment and contribute to economic stability. Our study last year highlighted the barriers that Czech MSEs face on their path to digitalization. It showed that the most effective way for the state to support businesses is at the regional level. We have elaborated on this outcome in detail in this year's new expert study. We prepared it in cooperation with the Data Ethics Lab, an interdisciplinary laboratory of the University of Economics in Prague. Based on in-depth interviews and real-life examples, we analyze the role of regional governments and other relevant local protagonists concerning the issue of MSE digitalization. Investigations have been conducted in several selected regions of the Czech Republic, from which specific recommendations emerge.
The Future of the Czech Labor Market
Study by Aspen Institute CE and Boston Consulting Group
The labor market, not only in the Czech Republic, is currently facing many challenges, such as a lack of labor, an aging population and an increase in the number of unfilled positions. If the state, companies and employees do not actively adapt to these changes, the Czech economy risks losing competitiveness, increasing unemployment and slowing GDP growth. Following the 2022 study we prepared in cooperation with Boston Consulting Group on the Future of the Czech Labour Market, this year we updated the study using the latest data. This time, we will focus on the outlook for the Czech labor market and employees in terms of supply and demand - employment for individual occupations and sectors, the need for upskilling, reskilling and overall productivity factors. This year’s expert study will also introduce new data and outputs resulting from developments in recent years, and will include, for example, the migration wave and the inclusion of about 250,000 working-age Ukrainians in the Czech labor market, the economic recession in contrast to the projected GDP growth of 2% per year, or the rise of generative AI, which will significantly drive productivity in a number of professions. The recommendations will again be structured to present concrete steps on how to proceed on the issue.
The detailed agenda, along with speakers and their profiles, will be announced soon.
Registration is closed. You can watch the conference live online.
