Transatlantic business leaders call for new initiatives to strengthen links
European and American business leaders, meeting in the Transatlantic Business Dialogue, have set out a number of recommendations for initiatives to build transatlantic links, starting from the basis of the New Transatlantic Agenda, signed in December 1995. The recommendations, which often start from the basis of existing schemes and institutions, focus on the following four areas: - Electronic exchange: Harnessing new technologies to promote the sharing of knowledge and experience between the two societies, and strengthen public awareness and commitment to a transatlantic community. Initiatives to encourage exchange between experts in the field, and link citizens, classrooms, cities, regions and legislators, to foster discussion on common challenges and share cultures, languages and history; - Civil society: Cooperation among US and EU citizens to respond to challenges such as crime, corruption, alienation and exclusion. Initiatives are required to support and extend the reach of citizens' associations, foundations, business, labour and other non-governmental organizations for the strengthening of democracy; - Education, culture and youth: Cooperation and academic exchange programmes for students and teachers and exchange schemes for young workers will reinforce shared values and contribute to greater understanding of cultures; - Partners in a global economy: Transformation of the newly globalized economy is forcing firms to adopt new competitive strategies and new organizational models, as well as focusing attention on the qualifications and skills of workforces. Expanded transatlantic exchanges will promote the sharing of best practices among companies and union leaders, as well as among public leaders in education, training and economic development.