Anglo-American University in Prague Anglo-American University Hosts Public Debate on 2024 US Elections
Anglo-American University (AAU), in partnership with the Strategeo Institute, hosted a public debate on the potential impacts of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, on October 24, 2024.
The debate took place on the AAU campus and featured a panel of five experts from varied backgrounds: Roman Joch, director of the Civic Institute; Tomáš Klvaňa, visiting professor at New York University in Prague; and Ondřej Hejma, translator, publicist, and musician. Representing Anglo-American University were Dr. George Hays II, chair of the School of International Relations & Diplomacy, and student Gwyneth Holcomb. The debate was moderated by Jan Macháček, founder and president of the Strategeo Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank.
The debate itself was divided into two parts. In the first, panelists discussed the U.S. electoral landscape and the increasing polarization within American society, while in the second, they explored the potential outcomes of the election and their implications for transatlantic relations, particularly in the areas of security and economics.
Dr. Hays spoke to the importance of public debates such as this one in uniting people of opposing views in the name of civil discourse.
“I think that public discussions are very important in general. They break people out of their…ideological bubbles and bring them together to exchange ideas and views they may not otherwise hear or countenance,” he stated.
Hays added that, irrespective of the election’s outcome, it is vital that people, even those with conflicting opinions, find a way to engage with one another and move forward together—something public debates can facilitate. Additionally, he expressed hope that the discussion would help people, regardless of their background, to better understand the potential ramifications of the election results.
The debate, which was conducted in English, concluded with a Q&A session wherein audience members had the chance to interact directly with the panelists. In that audience was a mix of ages and nationalities that included Czechs and US citizens, one of whom was. Kellen Szymanski, an American and AAU Student Council treasurer. Szymanski expressed appreciation for the freedom panelists were afforded to speak their mind and the incisive observations each brought to the table.
“It was a productive debate that allowed for diverse opinions from both sides…which is uncommon today. [And] I did feel that there was a depth [of knowledge] to the experts…that allowed for more productive conversation rather than just political debate.”
Also among those in attendance was Benicio Franqui, an international relations & diplomacy student at AAU who frequents these events.
“I attend them a lot. I think they’re fantastic opportunities,” said Franqui. “It’s great to… hang out with professors [and] other students [and] hear their views, especially because you get a…big…international audience.”
The debate also marked the official launch of the Strategeo Institute. Founded by former dissident Macháček with the aim of advancing the values of classical European liberalism, the Institute focuses on the areas of geopolitics, diplomacy, security, economics, energy, and international trade, among others. By fostering dialogue among leaders from political, economic, and media sectors, Strategeo aspires to address Europe’s most pressing issues and provide actionable solutions.
Anglo-American University (AAU) is an institution of higher learning based in Prague, Czechia. Inspired by the liberal arts traditions of British and American academia, it was established in 1990 and today offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs across three schools of study. Accredited by both US and Czech accrediting bodies, AAU is diverse, with students from over 80 countries and a culture that prizes critical thinking, effective communication, and personal transformation.
A second, follow-up debate discussing the results of the US presidential elections will be held at AAU, in room 2.07, on November 19, 2024. To learn more about the School of International Relations & Diplomacy, contact Dean Alexei Anisin at alexei.anisin@aauni.edu.