ACIR is honored to host a panel discussion on Brexit: "Where to From Here?" with Heike Fuller, Consul General of Germany and Shane Stephens, Consul General of Ireland. The panel will be moderated by Professor Alasdair Young of the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
About Brexit
The narrow vote of the United Kingdom (UK) in June 2016 in favor of leaving the European Union (EU), popularly called Brexit, has led to a steady drumbeat of public demonstrations by the Remainers as well as the Leavers, amplified within the Parliament itself where political factions savage each other.
At the core of British anger over EU membership is the observation that a constant wave of regulations impacting national institutions and smaller localities was generated by non-elected bureaucrats and a judiciary in far-off Brussels, Luxembourg, and Frankfurt. This is exacerbated by an historic antipathy for continental politics and has resulted in a majority sentiment to return to its historical tradition of policy emanating from London, not the continent. On the other hand, many who favor remaining in the EU believe, among other things, that the “European Project” promotes harmony, peace, and welfare and are concerned over the long-term economic impact on the U.K.
Remaining members of the European Union are not pleased with the UK decision to leave. Great Britain has one of the largest economies in the EU and its banking and investment strength reflect Britain’s financial importance within the EU. To lose this huge market will bring serious economic and financial consequences. Moreover, what is at stake is the real possibility that a successful Brexit bid may very well open the door to other EU members who wish to bail out for similar reasons. Brexit also raises serious questions regarding the economic and political impact on the United States, as well as security implications of a fracturing Europe. The general election on December 12 will have major ramifications not only for the UK and the United States, but for the world at large.
Come listen to a discussion on these issues and on the potential impact of the vote on the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States.
About the Panel Members
Dr. Heike Fuller was appointed Consul General in 2018. Her previous assignments included Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy, Lisbon; Commissioner for Corruption Prevention and Head of Internal Revision, Foreign Ministry, Berlin, Head of Political Department, German Embassy, Tokyo; Policy Planning Federal Ministry of Defense, Berlin; and Head of Economic Department, German Embassy, Cairo. She also has served in The German Embassy in Washington, as Permanent Representative of German in NATO, Brussels; and in the German Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. Dr. Fuller holds a Doctor’s degree in Law (Ph.D.)
Shane Stephens assumed his post in Atlanta in 2015. Since joining Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2001, Mr. Stephens has served at Ireland’s Embassies to Tanzania, the Holy See, the European Union, Nigeria and Malaysia. Immediately prior to his current post, while working as Assistant Chief of Protocol for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, he was responsible for arranging many of President Michael D. Higgins’ visits abroad and incoming Presidential visits to Ireland. Consul General Stephens received his BA in History from Trinity College, Dublin, and holds an MSc in Political Economy of Transition in Europe from the London School of Economics.
Alasdair Young is a Professor and Neal Family Chair in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. There he co-directs the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies, a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence. He is co-editor of JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies. He was chair of the European Union Studies Association (2015-17). He has performed consultancy work for the American and British governments and for the European Commission. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, he taught at the University of Glasgow for 10 years and had a post-doc at the European University Institute. He received his DPhil from the University of Sussex, his MA from Colombia University and his BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Registration fee includes a luncheon meal.
You must register to attend.
