Strategic Autonomy – Digital & Technology

The war in Ukraine has made evident the relevance of the already debated concept of “European Strategic Autonomy”. It conveys the idea that the EU should be able to (more) quickly take united decisions and act in response to immediate threats, but also strategically set its priorities and interests in face of the increasing geopolitical competition. Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe had taken steps toward assuming a stronger and more pertinent role in the global order. What is the EU’s capacity and agency to set priorities and make autonomous decisions in its external action? What are the political, institutional, and material requirements to fulfill Strategic Autonomy, and on which dimensions is the EU expected to make more sovereign decisions? What is the relevance of Strategic Autonomy to facing the challenges within and beyond European borders?

The Virtual Breakfast Briefings invite experts, policymakers, activists, and citizens to debate the concept of European Strategic Autonomy, looking into what it means and how it has recently developed, as well as been interpreted in the context of the war in Ukraine. Going beyond the military dimension, it is time for progressive thinkers to provide an in-depth reflection on Strategic Autonomy and set the agenda on the directions it should go in times of war.

FEPS, together with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Fondation Jean-Jaurès (FJJ) invite you for a series of virtual breakfast briefings, open to the public, to discuss Strategic Autonomy from three dimensions, which are the building blocks of our collaborative flagship project “Strategic Autonomy – Pathways to Progressive Action”

Digital & Technology: 07 July 2022, 8:30 – 9:30 AM (CET)

The EU has made strategic autonomy in the digital sphere a crucial political objective. But how to achieve it? There are various challenges on the short, medium and long term. In this session, we look at public policies to align the development and functioning of critical digital infrastructures with the need for more autonomy, security, and reliability. In particular, the discussion will explore the need for strategic autonomy tech alliances, as well as ways to address the lack of high-tech skills in Europe. 

Speakers:

• Paul Timmers (Research Fellow, Oxford University)
• Julia Anderson (Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
• Guillaume Klossa, Founding President, EuropaNova; former special adviser on digital to the European Commission
• Moderator: Justin Nogarede (FEPS)

This is the third event of the Strategic Autonomy Policy Breakfast Series. You can find the rest of the events here:

Strategic Autonomy – Security & Defense 5 July 8:30

Strategic Autonomy – Economy & Trade 6 July 8:30

Find out more about FEPS and partners’ work on Strategic Autonomy!