Call for Contributions - A Fractious World: Geopolitics, Elections & Global Trade
What do the elections mean for tech, trade & geopolitics? techUK's Trade Campaign Week 2024
The campaign and what we are looking for
Every year the International Policy and Trade Team at techUK run a week long campaign around a relevant topic - this year the campaign will be titled A Fractious World: Geopolitics, Elections & Global Trade. With around half of the world running elections in 2024 (64 countries plus the European Union) there could be some serious implications for trade policy and business, and and the results of certain elections could have significant impacts both on a regional level and a global level.
With around half of the world running elections in 2024 (64 countries plus the European Union) there could be some serious implications for trade policy and business, and and the results of certain elections could have significant impacts both on a regional level and a global level.
From the 6-10 May, we will be exploring the potential implications of elections and their impact on geopolitics and global trade. Through blogs, case studies, and videos publicised across our website and social media we will aim to help inform and open discussion around key trends or implications from the elections of 2024.
Do you have insights into a particular election anywhere around the globe that you feel could have impacts on trade and business? Have you got a good story to tell about how your organisation approaches an uncertain world? Are you aware of any geopolitical implications of election outcomes that could impact business and need highlighting? Do you have solutions for how business can ready itself for diverging scenarios in the direction of trade? Then this is a great opportunity to get the word out!
The themes of the week
Monday: The Global Outlook
What does 2024 bring? Is 2024 a year of status quo for geopolitical continuation or do the winds of change beckon to global voters? On Monday we aim to explore the broad mood and prospects that elections this year might bring in relation to geopolitics, trade, and business. This day will be a great opportunity to also highlight any underreported elections across the Americas or Africa or any other part of the globe that might be missed by the rest of our campaign week. Whether you want to start a discussion about broader trends or have helpful insights on elections we might otherwise overlook it would be great to hear from you!
Tuesday: The US Election
With Democratic and Republican primary results coming in the presidential election cycle is in full swing with many expecting a divisive campaign. The world will be holding its breath on the 5 November, as who might win will have seriously divergent implications for US foreign and trade policy. We would love to hear from members and experts about what are the trends to watch out for and what would the America of 2025 look like.
Wednesday: Elections in Europe
From Lisbon to Helsinki, Bucharest to Brussels there are a variety of presidential, parliamentary, regional, and local elections happening across the nations of Europe. In addition to these, the whole of the European Union will be going to the polls in June to elect a new European Parliament - the very first since Brexit. With the EU taking an increasingly significant role in geopolitics, including the geopolitics of techhnology, this will be an important election for the tech industry to observe. If you think you know of any unrepported stories developing related to European elections please do reach out to us to contribute.
Thursday: Elections across Asia
There are well over a billion registered voters due to be casting their ballots in elections across Asia this year. Though much of the results are across the contientent look to involve the relecection of incumbents and continuation more than change, the size of such majorities could influence the ability for reforming governments to implement their policies, and surprise results could switch diplomatic and economic trajectories unexpectedly. Please do reach out to us if you have views you would like to share, or strategy your businesses is implementing to prepare itself for the upcoming elections.
Friday: The UK - What world does the next Government find itself in?
After a week of discussing elections across the globe, we come back to the UK to wonder what world might the next Government find itself in, and how might that affect the UK's position geopolitically and in terms of international trade policy. The results of certain elections could put Britain in a tough position in trying to expand its post-Brexit free trade agreements, or vice versa results could ease Britain's mission to find its geopolitical position in a post-Brexit era, challenged by an increasingly dangerous world. What challenges do you think the UK will find itself facing? Could the 2024 elections put the next government in a more favourable position in 2025? How might this impact industry and business? We're interested to hear your views.
How to contribute to the campaign
We welcome a variety of formats so that you can decide what would best fit your company. Here is what you can submit and some guidelines:
Blogs
These will be published on our website as an insight page.
- Be at least 400 words in length and no more than 1500 words maximum.
- A blog can discuss a wide range of things - general thoughts, business case studies, specific analyses, etc.
- Can include images, infographics and videos/vlogs (see below guidelines about submitting videos)
- Add links throughout your text
- Send us a photo headshot, bio, and any social media details you wish to share
- Read the full contributor guidelines here.
Video Statements
These will be published on our social media channels primarily and spotlighted on our campaign week page.
- Create 30 to 90 seconds (max 2min) speaking-to-camera video, responding/expanding to 1 of the following questions/topics:
- Have you got a good story to tell about how your organisation is preparing for upcoming elections in the regions you operate in?
- Have you got an underrepresented story in elections this year that you'd like to highlight
- Or do you have some interesting insights in global trends that you think people would be interested in hearing
- Email us your video at https://wetransfer.com/. Instructions here.
- Examples: #1 , #2
- Send us a photo headshot, bio, and any social media details you wish to share
Please send your blog to [email protected] and [email protected] with the subject line 'Trade Campaign Week 2024 | Blog Submission' no later than Friday 3 May.
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +32 473 323 280
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
Daniel Clarke
Daniel Clarke
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Oliver Alderson
Oliver Alderson
Oliver is the team assistant for the Policy and Public Affairs teams, joining techUK in November of 2023. He assists the teams admistrative support, communication, and event production.
Prior to working at techUK, Oliver studied at Swansea and Bristol universities, attaining a masters in Policy Research. During this time he competed in debating competitions around the country where he discussed and deliberated various policy issues. Between his studies Oliver acted as a student assistant in mental health research for the SMaRteN student network.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07505 890 596
- LinkedIn:
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oliver-alderson-a51312180