Opportunities for large-scale job creation and structural transformation in Africa

Tuesday, May 27th

10:00 – 11:30 AM ET

The African continent faces a defining challenge: How to create productive employment opportunities at scale for its rapidly growing youth population. Historically, this challenge has been addressed through the industrial sector, notably manufacturing. Several years ago, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings, in partnership with African think tanks and research institutions, initiated a research program that set out to explore the potential of “industries without smokestacks” to create large-scale productive jobs and become viable development escalators. The results, published in the book “New Pathways to Job Creation and Development in Africa: The Promise of Industries Without Smokestacks,” suggest that if stewarded properly, these service-based sectors, like horticulture, tourism, and information and communication technology, can indeed help accelerate structural transformation in Africa, even in the face of premature deindustrialization. The event will feature the book’s co-editors and expert panelists discussing the growing number of industries without smokestacks which, across the region, suggest a different—but potentially effective—route to employment creation and structural transformation.

How are states responding to a changing world order?

Tuesday, May 27th

1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

The liberal international order, dominant since 1945, is facing unprecedented challenges driven by both enduring and emerging forces. Key among these are the rise of China, Russia’s war of aggression, the surge of populism within liberal democracies and the need to maintain credibility amongst Global South nations in response to claims of double standards and western hypocrisy. Following the publication of the research paper, Competing Visions for International Order, experts will examine how the U.S. and its allies and adversaries are recalibrating their foreign policies in response to these dynamics – whether by adapting to, disrupting, or rejecting the existing order. Speakers for this event are, Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri, Dr. Chietigj Bajpaee, Dr. Sanam Vakil, and Julián Ventura.

2025 CSIS-CSDS Transatlantic Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific

Tuesday, May 27th

2:00 – 3:45 PM ET

With President Trump’s return, U.S. allies and partners face a bevy of questions about future security and economic scenarios arising in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. How should U.S. allies deter further aggression in Europe and contend with contingencies in Asia? What will be the resolution to U.S. efforts to rebalance trade and to negotiate reciprocal tariffs? How should allies and partners in Europe and the Indo-Pacific meet the new challenges arising from the cohesion of autocratic actors including China, Iran, Russia and North Korea? CSIS and the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) at the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) of the VUB have been co-organizing the Transatlantic Dialogue on Indo-Pacific since 2020. Please join us for the Dialogue's 5th meeting at CSIS to explore how America's NATO and Indo-Pacific allies navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape in 2025. Experts, practitioners, and scholars in the CSIS-CSDS Dialogue will discuss key issues in diplomacy, military alignment, and defense technology in an era of U.S.-China competition. Speakers for this event are Victor Cha, CSIS, Luis Simón, CSDS, Thomas Wright, National Security Council, Max Bergmann, CSIS, Benedetta Berti, NATO, Gregory Poling, CSIS, Michito Tsuruoka, KDS, and Eva Pejsova, CSDS.

Creative Insecurity: Can Trump’s Trade Threats Jolt Canada Into Action?

Wednesday, May 28th

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET

For decades, Canada’s innovation policy has been shaped more by comfort than urgency. Geographic proximity to the U.S., economic stability, and abundant natural resources have fostered a sense of security—one that may have dulled the edge of national ambition. But with Donald Trump threatening annexation, reviving trade war rhetoric not heard in generations, and upending long-standing assumptions about North American cooperation, Canada now faces an uncomfortable question: Has our sense of security become a liability? Mark Zachary Taylor’s concept of “creative insecurity” argues that existential threats have driven countries like South Korea, Israel, and Finland to innovate as a means of survival and strategic relevance. Could Canada’s shifting geopolitical circumstances finally push it to adopt a bolder, more strategic approach to industrial policy and competitiveness? Please join ITIF’s Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness for a virtual panel featuring top experts as they explore whether growing external pressures might serve as a catalyst for renewed policy ambition in Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Speakers for this event are Robert Asselin, Policy Business Council of Canada, Robert D. Atkinson, ITIF, and Mark Zachary Taylor, Georgia Tech.

Instant Issues: Kristen Rupert on Global Trade Turmoil

Wednesday, May 28th

12:00 – 1:00 PM ET

In-Person Only

The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts will present an Instant Issues lunchtime discussion with consultant and former Senior Vice President & Executive Director of Associated Industries of Massachusetts International Business Council Kristen Rupert on Global Trade Turmoil—Challenges, Implications, & Opportunities.

New Centers of Gravity: How China and India Are Vying for Influence in the European Union

Thursday, May 29th

9:00 – 10:00 AM ET

India and China are arguably two of the most important actors in Asia for the European Union (EU). Starting in the late 1990s, EU-China trade and investment have surged, especially following Beijing’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. Today, China remains the EU’s largest trading partner, with substantial European investments across the mainland. Meanwhile, India has become an increasingly important player, with some in the EU seeing it as a counterpoint to Beijing. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently expressed a desire to establish “a new strategic agenda” for India and “upgrade its strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world.” What is the current state of EU-China and EU-India relations? As India’s influence and economic appeal grow, can New Delhi become a viable alternative to China for European business leaders and policymakers? And how is Brussels incorporating India into its strategies to address a potential crisis in Asia or the broader Indo-Pacific? Join the Asia Society for a webinar discussion with top experts from India, China, and the EU, featuring Philippe Le Corre, Asia Society, Akshay Mathur, Asia Society, and Lyle Morris, CCA.