Looking at the many challenges that keep coming our way, and especially since 2025, I looked for an overview hence the WEF report. Also, I was interested in what we as Europe are actually doing or preparing to counter those challenges.
There are many ciritical points yet that could turn everything around. But basically, if I were to identify a big hurdle, then that would be our need for political will & unity. Our European Political Landscape is very divided. Honestly, I’ve become maybe so accustomed to that, that I forgot to acknowledge it’s importance.
According to WEF report:
● So far, this year has been marked by significant global shifts, including increased geopolitical instability, the accelerating impact of AI and a changing labour market.
● Economic factors like new US tariffs are redrawing trade maps, while the energy transition shows progress and gender gaps persist.
● These seven charts from World Economic Forum reports help illustrate the inflection points this year.
The EU agenda 2024-2029 has 3 priorities:
-
A free and democratic Europe: upholding European values within the EU ; living up to EU values at global level
-
A strong and secure Europe: ensuring coherent and influential external action, strengthening EU security and defence, and protecting EU citizens; preparing for a bigger and stronger Union; pursuing a comprehensive approach to migration and border management
-
A prosperous and competitive Europe bolstering the EU’s competitiveness making a success of the green and digital transitions; promoting an innovation- and business-friendly environment; advancing together
Event: EU’s Competitiveness Compass
● closing the innovation gap with the EU’s main competitors ● linking decarbonisation and competitiveness ● reducing dependencies and increasing security
Event: upcoming new Digital Euro 2026 ?
In conclusion, I hope that our unity prevails , but many sacrifices are needed. Above all else, we must face them together, or if we fail, we’ll lose our future. We should also guard our core values , our way of life concerning equality, democracy and fair competition . Though these issues atm still needs addressing and work, we mustn’t back slide.
That is not a plan but the collection of contradicting values. It’s not possible to become competitive by will. A foundation is needed that has to be build which takes time and involves risk.
That is not a plan but the collection of contradicting values
What you are referring at exactly? There are links & bullets to an analysis and some EU plans.
Values are usually contradicting in (human) nature , organisations and democracies. They are oftentimes the result of negotiations.
Indeed, those values feel like the result of negotiations. That’s why they include contradicting goals. To make people commit, goals have to be coherent.
-
equality and unity. It’s either individuality or unity with a uniting goal
-
reducing dependencies and increasing security. We can’t replicate the US. So less dependency means less security.
-
making a success of the digital transitions. It increases dependency if we build it on US technology.
They are noy necessarily contradicting goals per definition. For example, one can be united in equality or as individuals. But, the reserve is indeed equally true, individuality can increase division
I get that you probably mean to say that conflicting goals are a reflection of the divisions and or negotiations. Ergo, less focus & commitment and therefore a higher chance of failure in implementation.
I hope we as a people and/or our (indirect) representatives will make it work, somehow.
Question: Do you think or feel that we Europeans as a people and locus know what we should do?
For starters let me stress that I really like this post and your drive to find a way forward.
I get that you probably mean to say that conflicting goals are a reflection of the divisions and or negotiations.
Kind of. I think that coherent goals are needed to allow a divided society to come together. But then again, don’t we just want a market where individuals prosper?
Question: Do you think or feel that we Europeans as a people and locus know what we should do?
The politicians have a plan. Look at the increasingly locked down internet. It will be tough since they prepare to control any form of protest.
As a people we don’t know what to do. Everybody knows what to say: freedom, security, a better future, but who knows what to do to achieve that?
For starters let me stress that I really like this post and your drive to find a way forward.
Appreciate your kind response. I believe that awareness of our options might empower a more directed efforts of citizens in their political capabilities. Also I was triggered by a charged conversation I had with some friends about their developing concerns about " our( European) way of life".
I am also interested in other viewpoints concerning our path forward, and which pitfalls we may encounter.
So thanks for your feedback, and I agree that most people know the words of whatwe want, but the literal path is hard to grasp.
I mean, I reckon most would favor a more integrated EU, as long as it keeps it keeps it’s founding principles, liberties and citizens protections, democratic platforms, checks & balances etc.
On the other hand," Chat Control " is an example of what we definitely shouldn’t want.
-
