European leaders, academics and youth representatives gathered in Strasbourg, France, on Nov. 26 and 27 for the inaugural Europa Power meetings, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at debating, and laying out plans for, building a “Superpower Europe.”

Syracuse University participated in the meetings and was the only U.S. institution present, alongside the U.S. Consul-General Yvonne Gonzales. In conjunction with the French Representative to the Council of Europe, Pap Ndiaye, the Maxwell School and Syracuse University Strasbourg were among the early advocates for a major international conference in Strasbourg. John Goodman, Director of Syracuse Strasbourg, served on the steering committee of the Europa event.

The summit tackled questions about Europe’s future, including proposals for an all-Europe stock market, a pan-European military force, and the creation of transferrable pension systems across member states. Participants also debated strategies to mobilize over 35 trillion euros in citizens’ savings for investment in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and job creation.

Additional discussions focused on enhancing educational funding and social programs to target misinformation and inequality, issues organizers identified as critical threats to democratic institutions. Day one convened at the historic Palais Universitaire of the University of Strasbourg, while day two took place at the European Parliament. The first vice president of the Parliament, Sabine Verheyen of Germany, delivered remarks to participants.

Syracuse Orange in Action

Among the student participants at the Europa conference was Brandon Tamez  ’26, a Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs/College of Arts and Sciences student majoring in political science and digital humanities and currently studying at Syracuse University Strasbourg.

Thanks to the University’s special partnership with the Council of Europe, Tamez already had the opportunity to intern in the Council’s Digital Development Unit, exploring a variety of policy issues related to technology. “My goal is to understand how our governments can prioritize human rights when regulating AI,” says Tamez. “I believe our laws and regulations deserve as much innovation as our technologies.”

Alongside his internship at the  Council of Europe, Tamez also participated in the Europa meetings. Tamez took part in a youth panel featuring Mariya Gabriel of Bulgaria, former European Union Commissioner for Research, Culture, Innovation and Youth;  and Nicolas Schmit of Luxembourg, former European Union Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.The panel brought together students from Italy and France, with Tamez serving as the sole American representative.

During the session, Tamez posed a question examining the divergent approaches to artificial intelligence regulation and development between Europe and the United States, a topic of increasing geopolitical significance.  “Conversations about AI’s future often center on innovation and the race to develop the fastest, most capable model. However, I believe conversations about our governments’ role in AI regulation are equally important,” Tamez says. “This event brought me closer to these discussions, allowing me to hear European perspectives and share my own as an American.”

Tamez’s participation was particularly notable given the presence of Syracuse University officials in attendance, including David Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School, and Seth Jolly, associate professor and chair of the political science, both of whom traveled to Strasbourg for the historic gathering.

“Europe’s current and future role in global economics and geopolitics is a critically important topic for the world and for the United States,” says Van Slyke. “The Maxwell School is honored to be a part of this gathering and these discussions, and I am proud that our students and scholars have the opportunity to contribute.”

The Europa Power initiative represents a significant moment in discussions about the future of Europe, as the continent seeks to define its role amid shifting global power dynamics.

Representation From Around the Globe

Conducted primarily in English, the summit also featured prominent political figures including Verheyen and former Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Additional representatives included President of the German Bundestag’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Armin Laschet, President of the French National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Bruno Fuchs, and former EU commissioners. The meetings also drew a diverse array of attendees, the president of the Grand Est Region of France, Franck Leroy, and scientists, artists, students and civil society activists.

The summit culminated in the Strasbourg Declaration, a policy document calling for Europe to strengthen its military, technological, and financial capabilities to achieve superpower status on the global stage.

The University’s participation in this landmark event solidifies its commitment to shaping important conversations about Europe’s future and international politics. Following on Syracuse Strasbourg students’ participation in the World Forum on Democracy, or recent meeting with European Parliament member Dario Nardella of Italy, the Europa Power discussions marked another unique opportunity for Syracuse students to take advantage of the international affairs events regularly taking place in Strasbourg.