The branding of Europe's Futures' program, launched in 2018 as part of IWM's strategic partnership with ERSTE Foundation, has been revamped. Regular updates will provide insights into the program's activities and highlight the work of its many alumni and current fellows.
The site is accessible via the following links: www.europesfutures.eu or www.iwm.at/europes-futures
"We are very glad to be able to present here, on a clear and easily accessible and searchable platform, the full scale of activities and writings of the prominent forty and more Europe’s Futures Fellows. We are proud to have them continuously engaged with us in a number of activities " says the program's director, IWM Permanent Fellow Ivan Vejvoda. All episodes of the "Vienna Coffee House Conversations" podcast he hosts are available on the website, as are recordings of previous seminars, lectures and discussions. Among the numerous essays and articles available, we recommend the most recent selection as initial reads.
In her article, Nathalie Tocci discusses the European Union's geopolitical ambitions and challenges in the context of recent global events, particularly Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She argues that despite initial concerns that divisions would grow as the war continued, the EU has maintained a united policy response and has managed to welcome a very a significant number of Ukrainian refugees. In addition, the EU’s enlargement policy has gained new momentum and while the EU has also successfully coped with the energy crisis. Tocci also sheds light on challenges the EU faces in particular regarding its defense dependency on the US and its relationship with China, highlighting that the upcoming 2024 European Parliament elections will be crucial in determining the EU’s geopolitical role in the world.
Kristof Bender argues that Russia's aggression has prompted even EU member states skeptical of enlargement to express support for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU. He emphasizes that a "geopolitical approach" doesn't mean granting Ukraine immediate EU membership but offering a path towards accession. He argues that the credibility of the EU’s enlargement process has been suffering, thereby discouraging reforms in accession countries. Bender suggests that if an accession country meets all membership criteria, but the EU is not ready for new members, the country should gain access to the EU Single Market and its four freedoms (free movement of goods, services, persons, and capital). This approach may offer an attractive intermediate goal that brings countries close to full membership, measures progress objectively, removes bilateral blockades, requires no institutional EU Treaty changes, and addresses concerns about internal EU reforms.
In July 2023, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, made a significant statement emphasizing the pivotal role of young people in shaping the upcoming elections. This declaration marked the beginning of what appeared to be a campaign strategy aimed at mobilizing and engaging youth in the lead-up to the European Union (EU) elections scheduled for June 2024. This commitment to youth engagement comes at a critical time for Europe. The intertwined challenges of youth participation and the future of democracy are emerging as complex issues. Ivana Dragičević argues that there is a need for political parties to recognize and address the concerns of the youth, but acknowledges the challenges faced by political leaders in reaching out to these diverse demographics. She stresses the importance of rebuilding trust, fostering inclusive environments, and investing in education and mental health support for the youth.
With that, we invite you to explore the multifaceted world of the Europe's Futures network.
