The President advocates for the development of new frameworks for collaboration between the US and Europe, amidst the turbulence created by the Trump administration.

• University students, leaders from George Washington University, and academic and social experts engage in dialogue with President Pradales, exchanging reflections on ways to strengthen democracy on both sides of the Atlantic.

Yesterday, the President advocated for the essential collaboration between the United States and Europe, stressing the need for both to explore 'new formulas' for understanding that transcend the noise of media and politics. These were the words of Imanol Pradales during his participation in a roundtable hosted by the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University.

The meeting was moderated by its director, Peter Loge, and was attended by a wide array of students from the university, along with prominent figures such as Sara Jones, Director of Leadership Programmes at the German Marshall Fund; Spencer Boyer, a lawyer specialising in foreign policy, national security, and international relations; Erol Yayboke, adviser to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign; Dan Estrepo, lawyer and political contributor to CNN; Juan Sebastián González, former Senior Director of the National Security Council for the Western Hemisphere during Joe Biden's administration; and Jeta Abazi, a journalist specialising in political communication.

In his speech, Imanol Pradales cautioned against the growing rise of anti-democratic tendencies and underscored the importance of strengthening democratic values in the present climate. In asserting his strong commitment to democracy, Pradales highlighted that threats to democratic values often emerge from within the system itself, exploiting social unrest, political disillusionment, and the evolving landscape of communication and information systems. He cautioned that "authoritarian waves reject diversity and impose a singular worldview, offering oversimplified solutions that undermine the very pillars of democracy."

It also highlighted the significant impact of changes in the media and information landscape on the shaping of public discourse. He recalled that, “since the 18th century, democratic systems have developed in tandem with the media, enabling an informed and participatory public opinion.” He highlighted, however, that the fragmentation of audiences, the personalisation of messages, and the manipulation of algorithms are disrupting the information ecosystem, creating challenges for democracy that have never been seen before.

He stated, "The challenge lies in how to shape and regulate this new public space for debate, information, and communication, ensuring the defense and strengthening of democracy," urging a deep reflection on the role of technology and artificial intelligence in the future of democratic systems.

Europe’s Role

The President also shared his reflections on the current state of Europe and its relationship with the new Trump administration. In this regard, he cautioned that the concept of a "sense of urgency" has gained prominence within the EU as it seeks to address the rapid changes of recent years, particularly those accelerated by the new US president's arrival. He further noted that his policies make it clear that the White House is no longer an unequivocal ally for Europe.

"We are witnessing the erosion of multilateralism, the closing off of the world, the imperial ambitions of certain powers, and a world divided into blocs where Europe must remain true to itself," he explained to the audience, concluding that "we must strengthen the European project through profound transformations and commitments," in alignment with the reports by Draghi, Letta, and Niinistö.

In his concluding remarks, Imanol Pradales reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to democracy and humanism, advocating for dialogue and collaboration as essential pathways to shaping a better future. "I firmly believe in humanism, in the inherent value of every individual, simply because they are human. And that we need others for life to hold meaning. That is why, in this tumultuous moment in history, we must place our trust in people more than ever and believe in the best that humanity can offer," she concluded.

Wednesday’s Agenda

The meeting at George Washington University marked the conclusion of the series of events scheduled in the US capital. En route to New York, the President will visit the Basque Country delegation to the United States and Canada at 08:30 (local time). At 12:00, he is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, accompanied by the Vice-President and Basque Minister for Culture and Linguistic Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea, the Deputy General of Biscay, Elixabete Etxanobe, along with the current director of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Juan Ignacio Vidarte, and his successor, Miren Arzalluz.

Wednesday will conclude at 19:00 with a reception for the Basque community in New York, hosted at the city's Eusko Etxea.