This event was recorded as part of a live webinar on 17 April 2023.
In recent years, international cooperation has become more important than ever. From coordinating a global strategy to combat COVID-19, to uniting in response to the conflict in Ukraine and collaborating on the road to net zero, the crucial role of diplomacy is clear. But what’s it really like to be an international diplomat and what lessons can we learn from one of Europe’s most successful envoys?
In partnership with the Aspen Institute France, we will be joined by the Former First Vice President of the European Commission to discuss diplomacy in the 21st century. The Right Honourable Catherine Ashton has had an illustrious political career, from various ministerial roles in the UK to becoming the first woman British European Commissioner. In this conversation, Baroness Ashton will be joining Jean-Christophe Bas, Acting Executive Director of the Aspen Institute France, to provide insights from her diplomatic career following the release of her new book: And Then What? Inside Stories of 21st Century Diplomacy.
Having worked at the heart of EU Affairs, Baroness Ashton will be sharing pivotal moments from her experience of some of the most significant negotiations of recent decades and the real issues facing diplomats today. The conversation offers a unique exploration of the role of Europe in the ever-changing geopolitical order and aims to serve as an entry-point for further discussion.
This is an online event hosted by the Aspen Institute UK in partnership with the Aspen Institute France.
SPEAKER:
Baroness Catherine Ashton – Baroness Ashton served as the European Union’s first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2009 to 2014 and First Vice President of the European Commission. She now holds a number of portfolios in foreign and security policy. She is a Distinguished fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington DC, a Senior Policy Advisor to Chatham House and a consultant to the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Previously, Baroness Ashton was the first female EU Commissioner for Trade. Prior to becoming an EU commissioner, she was a UK government minister in the House of Lords. She served in the Education and Justice departments, before being promoted to the Cabinet as Leader of the House of Lords. Baroness Ashton is the author of the recent book And Then What?: Inside Stories of 21st Century Diplomacy.
IN CONVERSATION WITH:
Jean-Christophe Bas – Jean-Christophe Bas is the Founder and CEO of Connecters for Peace, member of the Executive Board of Aspen Institute France and currently serving as acting Executive Director. He has thirty years of experience in leadership positions in major international organizations, from Head of Strategic Dialogue at the World Bank to Head of Strategic Development and Partnerships at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in New York and Director of Democratic Citizenship and Participation at the Council of Europe. Jean-Christophe is the author of EUROPE A LA CARTE, a book of reflection on European identity and he regularly comments on international affairs for major media outlets, Euronews, EUReporter, Valeurs Actuelles, l’Opinion, CCTV, TRT.