Shadow without a Wall: What Europe ’89 Means to Us Today

A retrospective 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and how the events of 1989 continue to shape our world.

About this Event

Central Europe – November 1989: Arguably the scene of the most momentous political events since the end of the Second World War. The inspiring determination and courage of democratic Europeans in Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere at last came to fruition. Their seemingly miraculous achievement was symbolically encapsulated in the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

The Wall’s downfall saw the beginning of reform and political reorganization which continues to this day. Currently it is a process whose trajectory has been shaken by unmet expectations of prosperity and sometimes starkly divergent visions as how to proceed. How divided societies in formerly Communist states – including Germany following its re-unification – make use of their democratic institutions to find consensus going forward impacts both Europe’s fate and the U.S.

US-Europe Alliance, in conjunction with the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and with the support of the American Council on Germany, presents a moderated dialogue commemorating the 30th anniversary of the destruction of the Berlin Wall. This discussion will consider how the events of 1989 are remembered and how perceptions of that time continue to influence contemporary politics in the region, especially in the context of the recent wave of populism. Furthermore, the speakers will address how the effects of 1989 have reverberated outside of Europe and informed the actions of authoritarian regimes elsewhere in the world.

Mitchell Orenstein, PhD Professor of Russian and Eastern European Studies Pennsylvania University

Jackson Janes, PhD Senior Fellow German Marshall Fund of the United States

Mrs. Aliaksandra Tyhrytskaya Frédéric Bastiat Fellow, Mercatus Center George Mason University

Mr. Jan Surotchak Senior Director, Transatlantic Strategy International Republican Institute

Clay Fuller, PhD Adjunct Instructor Western Carolina University

The Wall’s Downfall Saw The Beginning Of Reform And Political Reorganization Which Continues To This Day. Currently It Is A Process Whose Trajectory Has Been Shaken By Unmet Expectations Of Prosperity And Sometimes Starkly Divergent Visions As How To Proceed. How Divided Societies In Formerly Communist States – Including Germany Following Its Re-Unification – Make Use Of Their Democratic Institutions To Find Consensus Going Forward Impacts Both Europe’s Fate And The U.S.

US-Europe Alliance, In Conjunction With The German Marshall Fund Of The United States And The Foreign Policy Research Institute, Presents A Moderated Dialogue Commemorating The 30th Anniversary Of The Destruction Of The Berlin Wall. This Discussion Will Consider How The Events Of 1989 Are Remembered And How Perceptions Of That Time Continue To Influence Contemporary Politics In The Region, Especially In The Context Of The Recent Wave Of Populism. Furthermore, The Speakers Will Address How The Effects Of 1989 Have Reverberated Outside Of Europe And Informed The Actions Of Authoritarian Regimes Elsewhere In The World.

With Remarks By:

Mitchell Orenstein, PhD Professor Of Russian And Eastern European Studies Pennsylvania University

Jackson Janes, PhD Senior Fellow German Marshall Fund Of The United States

Mr. Jan Surotchak Senior Director, Transatlantic Strategy International Republican Institute

Clay Fuller, PhD Adjunct Instructor Western Carolina University

Please Register On Eventbrite By Visiting: Shorturl.at/KptR0
This Event Will Also Be Live Broadcasted.

Mitchell Orenstein

Professor Of Russian And Eastern European Studies Pennsylvania University

Clay Fuller

PhD Adjunct Instructor Western Carolina University

Jan Surotchak

Senior Director, Transatlantic Strategy International Republican Institute

Jackson Janes

Senior Fellow German Marshall Fund Of The United States
Senior Fellow German Marshall Fund Of The United States