Europe as a Task 2025

Day 1: Arrival and Registration of the participants

Opening Remarks

High-level panel discussion: Pursuing Prosperity in a Shifting World

Security is the foundation on which everything is built, says Sauli Niinistö in his key report on strengthening Europe’s preparedness and readiness. In other words, security not only includes its economic standpoint among its many dimensions, but it is the very precondition for our prosperity. With the rules-based world order shaken by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the recent erosion of the transatlantic bond, Europe must rethink its defence policy and find new ways to boost its competitiveness at the same time. The task seems even more complex with twin transitions on our hands and growing uncertainties in the global environment. Some even question whether Europe can afford to keep our climate and social ambitions intact in such challenging times. What should the EU do not only to survive, but to thrive?

Glass of wine

Informal High-Level Dinner (upon invitation only)

Day 2: Arrival and Registration of the participants

Words of Welcome

Opening Remarks

High-level Chat: Heading into the Post-Transatlantic Era? Navigating Europe’s Global Role

“We are left alone.” It is a sentence that many in Europe uttered in shock, when Donald Trump attempted to pressure Ukraine to accept losses in the defence efforts against the aggressor and decided to wage a trade war against his closest allies and partners. Putting emotions aside, the transatlantic bond remains the strongest tie Europe has. In fact, the West has benefited and keeps profiting immensely from the transatlantic hegemony, established on the ashes of war-torn Europe. It has endured for many years, even as we entered a multipolar world. However, the cracks that appeared in the past are now ripping us further apart, and scholars argue that we might be edging toward a new post-transatlantic era. How should Europe adapt to this new dynamic? Should we redefine our understanding of our role in the world? And what does it mean for the future of European integration?

The Competitiveness test: can Europe take the lead? (Presentation by POLITICO’s Research & Analysis Division)

Competitiveness is no longer just a buzzword; it’s become the backbone of the EU’s economic agenda. As global pressures intensify, Europe faces a critical moment to strengthen its industrial base, secure strategic autonomy, and ensure prosperity through sustainable growth. The question is no longer if the EU should act, but how bold and coordinated that action must be. This session sets the stage by unpacking the flagship initiatives that are redefining Europe’s economic trajectory in the new mandate. These tools aim to close the productivity gap with the U.S., accelerate clean tech, and reduce dependency in critical sectors. But they also bring high-stakes trade-offs: can national funding fill the gap left by limited EU-level investment? Will loosening state aid rules distort the single market? Can regulatory simplification truly coexist with a wave of new legislation in AI, biotech, and energy? And critically, can competitiveness be reconciled with the Green Deal’s climate goals? As the EU navigates this complex balancing act, this session frames the core tensions and strategic choices that will shape the continent’s economic future.

Coffee Break

Fishbowl: Unlocking the Potential of the Single Market

With the recently unveiled Compass of Competitiveness, the European Union is trying to find its lost track. A core priority of von der Leyen’s second Commission is to tear down existing barriers in the Single Market. Based on the recommendations of the Draghi and Letta reports, the Commission seems to be keenly listening to the feedback from businesses across the Union, which have been complaining for years about red tape and other obstacles that prevent growth. The Union’s executive branch is now even contemplating even unorthodox avenues to make life easier for companies, such as introducing a 28th regulatory regime that could potentially revolutionise the rules for cross-border expansions and unlock the potential of the largest integrated market in the world. However, there is still a long way to go before such ambitious plans can be made a reality.

Roundtable: Reconstruction of Ukraine

A staunch supporter of Ukraine, the European Union launched a new mechanism for the years 2024-2027 to continue assisting the country’s economy and society, which are heavily affected by the war. This roundtable aims to hold a detailed and practical discussion about the concrete steps that Europe should now take in the reconstruction of Ukraine. With the pivotal focus on the new Ukraine Facility instrument, the participants will discuss ways to use Pillar II to facilitate investment flows for rapid economic recovery and to rebuild vital infrastructure. What are the priority regions and industries that should be aimed at? How should the Facility be aligned with Ukraine’s plans and strategies? And what roles and opportunities are there for European businesses and institutional partners?

Fishbowl: Making European Defence European?

The relatively calm post-Cold War decades, during which Europe enjoyed the peace dividend, seem to be over, and European countries now painfully realise of this assertion. The European Commission entered the discussions about increased defence spending with a White Paper on Defence, which aims to boost the effectiveness of investments into military capacities, and also with an unprecedented financial initiative. With fiscal flexibility and fresh money from loans, it wants to massively support the domestic defence industry. However, the Donald Trump administration is asking its European allies to do the exact opposite and buy more American products. Many EU member states might be tempted to buy favours. How will Europe solve this discord? Are the Commission’s ‘Buy European’ plans realistic? Is there a way to keep the U.S. present in Europe, and what else should/can the EU do in the realm of defence?

Roundtable: Strengthening Sanctions Enforcement: Addressing Circumvention and Sector-Specific Challenges (in cooperation with Center for an Informed Society)

After more than three years of the unprecedented sanctions against Russia, their enforcement remains an unremitting challenge, particularly in sectors of energy and finance, and in the dual-use goods trade. In relation to this issue, this roundtable will focus on addressing loopholes, improving enforcement mechanisms and aligning priorities with EU and transatlantic partners. The participants will discuss ways to boost the effectiveness of energy sanctions and how to curb financial flows and illicit trade networks with a focus on lessons learned from significant enforcement cases. The roundtable will also assess the impact of the new US administration and Poland’s EU presidency on the future of the sanctions policy.

Lunch

Fishbowl: Choosing the Lesser Evil: Finding European Response to the Trade War

With the high uncertainty caused by the aggressive trade policies of Donald Trump’s administration, global markets are shaking in their core. For Europe, the timing couldn’t be worse. Still not fully recovered from a difficult period of high inflation, and with new costly priorities in sight, Europe’s key Transatlantic ally only further increases the pressure the Old Continent faces. On the brink of a major trade war that seems to be on hold only temporarily, Europe must choose between the bad and the worse when weighing options on how to respond. Should the Anti-Coercion Instrument be triggered if the dispute escalates too far, or is there a way to de-escalate? At the same time, China is looking for new markets to which it could redirect its industrial overcapacity, which has been heavily hit by US tariffs, with Europe being one possible destination. Can Europe afford to battle on multiple fronts? And what can the EU do to uphold a WTO rules-based trade order?

Roundtable: The EU’s Evolving Global Role: Building Democratic Alliances with Latin America in an Increasingly Volatile World (in cooperation with FORUM 2000)

In a rapidly changing geopolitical environment marked by increased tensions with authoritarian powers and a reconfigured U.S. stance, the European Union faces new challenges in maintaining its role as a defender of democratic principles. The recent shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, which includes a new position towards the war in Ukraine and the dismantling of USAID, has left a gap in global democracy support and raised doubts about the future of democracy. Focusing on the example of Latin America, this roundtable discussion will explore concrete ways in which the EU can bolster and deepen its partnerships with democratic and democratising countries in regions such as Latin America in response to these developments, and thus advance its global leadership role for securing a safer and more prosperous world order.

Fishbowl: Europe Fit for the Future: Young Leaders’ Perspective

What does the future of Europe look like in the eyes of Generation Z? This panel brings together emerging young leaders to share their visions for a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking Europe. From tackling climate change and technological transformation to defending democratic values and addressing mental health challenges, today’s youth are not just inheriting Europe’s future. They are actively shaping it. The discussion will explore how young people perceive current developments, what they see as key priorities for the decades ahead, and how institutions can better include their voices in policymaking.

Roundtable: Guided by Foresight: Strategies for an Uncertain World (in cooperation with the Czech Priorities think-tank)

This session will bring together foresight experts and practitioners to explore how strategic foresight and forecasting can be more effectively applied in policymaking. Drawing on practical examples and success stories, the discussion will focus on the most promising strategies for expanding the use of foresight to anticipate emerging challenges and support medium and long-term planning across key policy areas in the EU context.

Glass of Wine

Side Program: Europe Day Public Debate: Young People About Europe-Political Visions for the Future

This debate will offer insights from the next generation of political leaders on the direction of European integration and the key challenges shaping the continent today. Young representatives from the youth wings of political parties, united under the Association of Youth Political Organisations, will present their visions, values, and priorities for the Europe of tomorrow – addressing topics such as security and Europe’s global role, the state of democracy and the rule of law, climate action, prosperity, social cohesion, and migration. Come and hear from young political voices who may soon be shaping Europe’s political future – and join the conversation about the direction of our continent. The debate is held as a side event of Europe as a Task conference, which focuses on the current challenges facing Europe.

Side Programme: AMO Network of Women meeting with Minna Ålander (upon invitation only)

Will a Lonely Europe Succeed in a World Without Certainties?

The world around us is changing rapidly. The era when Europe and the West were at the center of global affairs is coming to an end—instead, we are witnessing the emergence of multiple centers of power. China, India, and other countries now seek a greater role in managing today’s world. Europe must therefore confront not only security threats stemming from Russia’s aggressive policies, but also strong competition in trade and technology. Moreover, it can no longer rely on its relationship with the United States to the same extent as before. The discussion “Will a Lonely Europe Succeed in a World Without Certainties?” will focus on how Europe should proceed in this new and complex environment. Should it pursue deeper integration? Should the EU continue to enlarge? What options does Europe have if it wants to engage and cooperate with countries of the Global South? How can the EU strengthen its relationship with the United Kingdom? Where can new paths to an equal partnership with the United States be found? The world around us is changing rapidly. The era when Europe and the West were at the center of global affairs is coming to an end—instead, we are witnessing the emergence of multiple centers of power. China, India, and other countries now seek a greater role in managing today’s world. Europe must therefore confront not only security threats stemming from Russia’s aggressive policies, but also strong competition in trade and technology. Moreover, it can no longer rely on its relationship with the United States to the same extent as before. The discussion “Will a Lonely Europe Succeed in a World Without Certainties?” will focus on how Europe should proceed in this new and complex environment. Should it pursue deeper integration? Should the EU continue to enlarge? What options does Europe have if it wants to engage and cooperate with countries of the Global South? How can the EU strengthen its relationship with the United Kingdom? Where can new paths to an equal partnership with the United States be found?