November 14th

Building Europe's Future: Time for Strategic Choices

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    Welcome  and introductory remarks

      • Stephen Quest, Chair of ESPAS and Director-General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

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    Building Europe's Future

    Keynote addresses followed by discussion

      • Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions, Belgium

      • Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate, Germany

      • Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal, Inter-institutional Relations and Foresight, European Commission

      • Marc Angel, MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament with responsibility for ESPAS

    • Moderator

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    What will power look like in 2040? Fragmentation and power shifts

    This session aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the evolving landscape of global power dynamics. The session will delve into the anticipated fragmentation and power shifts that are expected to shape geopolitical power structures by the year 2040. The session will explore the evolving dynamics between the United States and China and their implications for the global order. As these two economic and political powerhouses continue to influence the international landscape, the European Union faces a critical question: How should it position itself to navigate effectively this changing geopolitical landscape? Will it project its own power in new ways at the global level?  Will the European Union need to acquire and pursue 'hard power' in order to maintain global influence? The session will explore the strategic options available to the EU and the strategic choices it could make.

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    COFFEE BREAK

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    Globalisation and deglobalisation: the future of economic power

    After several decades of increasing global economic integration, the world is teetering on the brink of geo-economic fragmentation.  This is happening against the backdrop of increasing trade tensions between the United States and China, and more generally a rise in populism and greater scepticism about the benefits of globalisation. Notably, these trends predated the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, events that have further tested international relations. Geopolitical rivalries have fuelled greater protectionism and the increasing use of cross-border restrictions on national security grounds. Fragmentation leads also to lower economic efficiency for the EU. This session will discuss the strategic choices for the EU in this fast-changing economic landscape.

      • Kazumasa Iwata, President of the Japan Center for Economic Research; former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan

      • Jean Pisani-Ferry, Senior Fellow at Bruegel; Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute (Washington DC)

      • Maria Demertzis, Senior Fellow, Bruegel; part-time Professor of Economic Policy, School of Transnational Governance. European University Institute

    • Moderator

      • Kim Jørgensen, Director General and EIB Permanent Representative to the EU Institutions in Brussels

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    LUNCH

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    In conversation with Anu Bradford, author of "Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology"

      • Anu Bradford, Henry L. Moses Professor of Law and International Organization at Columbia Law School, New York

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    The global tech race: Can Europe step up?

    The rapid advance of emerging disruptive technologies such as AI and machine learning, biotechnologies and quantum computing presents both unprecedented opportunities and challenges for the European Union in its pursuit of strategic autonomy. As these technologies reshape industries, security landscapes, and societal norms, the EU faces a critical question: How can it harness these advancements to bolster its strategic autonomy without compromising its values and security? The session will explore the potential benefits, risks, and policy considerations for the EU in its pursuit of technological sovereignty in a highly competitive environment.

      • Nathalie Moll, Director General of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)

      • Gemma Galdón-Clavell, CEO and Founder Eticas Tech

      • Ajit Jaokar, Visiting Fellow for Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford

    • Moderator

      • Paweł Świeboda, Founder of NeuroCentury; Practice Lead Neurotechnology, ICFG; Senior Visiting Fellow, European Policy Centre

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    Navigating Tomorrow: Socio-economic challenges of the green transition in the face of global climate trends

    In this session, we will explore the dual challenge of long-term climate trends and the socio-economic dimensions of the green transition towards a sustainable future. Experts will discuss the implications of climate change on Europe and the world, and delve into the socio-economic aspects of the green transition, addressing issues such as the rise of green technologies and industries and how policy choices can ensure a just and inclusive transformation.

    • Moderator

      • Heather Grabbe, Senior Fellow, Bruegel; Visiting Professor, University College London and Senior Advisor, Open Society Foundations

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    COFFEE BREAK

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    People power: how to roll back authoritarianism and win back trust?

    The decline of democracy and rise in authoritarianism across the globe is well documented and a reality for millions of citizens. Democratic societies are suffering from a crisis of trust in institutions and political processes. Threats from authoritarian regimes using the power of technology to undermine democratic norms and values, and attempts to control multilateral institutions have increased. Governments in democratic societies across the world are struggling to maintain trust in institutions and the ability of the state to improve their lives. In this session, we will explore the root causes of these new threats, and seek to generate new ideas on how to reverse the tide by making democracy more participatory, through technology and in other ways. 

      • Kalypso Nicolaïdis, Chair in Global Affairs at the School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute (EUI); Emeritus professor, University of Oxford.

      • Ricardo Borges de Castro, Associate Director and Head of the Europe in the World Programme, European Policy Centre

      • Joseph C. Cyrulik, Director, Strategic Futures Group, National Intelligence Council, United States

    • Moderator

      • Shada Islam, Director, New Horizons Project; Visiting Professor, College of Europe and Senior Advisor European Policy Centre

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    Key takeaways from the conference

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    Conclusions and close

      • Stephen Quest, Chair of ESPAS and Director-General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission