The evening opened with remarks from Jim Dykstra, President of Dykstra Consulting and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, who offered a U.S. perspective on the evolving global order and the moral imperatives guiding American strategic choices. Karien van Gennip, Member of the Supervisory Board of ASML and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, followed with reflections on Europe’s role in upholding democratic values amid geopolitical uncertainty. Drawing on her experience in both public service and the private sector, she highlighted the importance of transatlantic solidarity in addressing global challenges such as technological inventions, climate change, and the defense of democratic institutions.
