A new Europe is coming into focus after the post-World-War-II Atlantic Alliance and the end of the Cold War. The implosion of the Soviet empire created the historical chance and the growing assertiveness of American power provides the contemporary challenge for the evolving global position of Europe.

Building upon the steady growth of the European Union (EU) in the last fifty years, the EU seeks to play a global role in the next fifty years. The New Europe tries to chart a regional way to deal more effectively with globalization. However, the problems and questions are manifold.

What has Europe done to globalization and what has globalization done to Europe? Do the recent polemics about the "new" and the "old" Europe reflect an emerging rivalry between the United States and Europe? What are the promises of the New Europe, internally

as well as externally? Will the EU deliver on all that is hoped for? What kinds of internal turbulences and conflicts will trouble this region in the future? Where does the New Europe begin and where does it end? What is the European position on immigration, migration, globalization, nationalism, languages, Turkey and NATO?

The New Europe poses and faces economic, social and cultural challenges, yet the American public has little knowledge about this regional unit, its self-definition, new constitution and identity.

This conference will bring leading scholars and diplomats with various disciplinary, national, and international backgrounds together and shed light on the dynamics, contradictions, and possibilities of an important global region in historical transition.