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Theme and Topics


The overarching theme of the Agora on Security Kyiv will be “Re:think security policy – hack old paradigms”. ASK2014 will focus on the diversity of security perspectives within Europe and will provide participants with the opportunity to actively live out democracy by raising their voices on divisive issues.

The security dimensions which will be covered by the working groups at ASK will include: finance, military, cyber, environment, energy, food, trade, health and statehood. We will shed light on these and other topics through discussions, panel debates, workshops and innovative activities, where our participants will be given the unique opportunity to discuss and immerse themselves in the Agora’s topic.

With ASK14 we want to find new narratives for security policy. With determinant and power structures being the traditional leverages to maintain security, new strategies for soft power politics and international collaboration have to be developed that secure peace globally. In such an interconnected networking global village, new ways can be created to overcome old paradigms and ideologies.

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1. Financial dimension (moderated by Noura Berrouba)

Free trade and breaking down national trade restrictions are founding principles of the EU. What should the balance be between these concepts and utilising economic sanctions to achieve foreign policy aims? What should be the role of the banking and financial sector in economic sanctions?

2. Environmental dimension (moderated by Drazen Puklavec)

Climate change has caused increasingly severe weather conditions in recent years. In light of warnings of climate change-related conflicts, what should be done to ensure the safety of the European population and their food supply in this new environment?

3. Military dimension (moderated by Zosia Wasik)

In times of increasing geopolitical instability and decreasing defence budgets, how should the security of the EU Member States and their neighbours be ensured?

 4. Health dimension (moderated by Tetiana Korniichuk)

How should Europe best combine preventative and curative measures to tackle HIV while considering competing fiscal priorities? To what extent should there be a common European approach?

5. Governance dimension (moderated by Francisco Santos)

Electoral turnout in Europe is falling while distrust in traditional parties is rising. Against this background, how should good governance be ensured for all European people?

6. Trade dimension (moderated by Sophie Duffield)

Small arms and light weaponry (SALW) used in active conflict zones can often be linked to Western arms producers and distributors. How should Europe set an example in ensuring that exports of SALW do not come to threaten international security?

7. Energy dimension (moderated by Mariam Chubabria)

Traditional means of energy production using fossil fuels seem increasingly unstable. How should Europe best respond to increasing energy demand? Where should the balance be between securing smart energy usage and sustainable energy supply?

8. Cyber dimension (moderated by Jakob Etzel)

Cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, STUXNET and the danger of hacked drones. How should Europe ensure the safety of its cyberspace and effectively defend itself against these attacks?

9. Agronomy dimension (moderated by Conal Campbell & Julia Pustovoitova)

It is projected that nine billion people will be living on planet Earth in the year 2050. With increasing economic well-being driving demand for agricultural commodities, how should Europe ensure domestic and international food security while protecting the environment and farmers’ livelihoods?