3rd Young Leaders Study Group on the Future of Europe

"Demographic Trends, Migration, and Social Cohesion"

 

in cooperation with the American Council on Germany (ACG) in New York, USA

3rd Conference, Brussels and Paris, June 1-6, 2010

 

How will Europe cope with the diverse challenges presented by globalization in the 21st century? How does the US deal with similar problems, and what can we learn from one another? Can the European Union, now that it has 27 members, solve the problems that accompany the demographic changes, or do national strategies need to be developed? Which pragmatic political solutions might present themselves? Will different approaches in Europe and the US pose a burden on transatlantic relations?

 

These and other questions were the focus of the three conferences, whose theme was "Demographic Trends, Migration and Social Cohesion". The objective was to analyze the changes and challenges - brought about by demographic changes in Europe - in the areas of business, domestic policy, foreign and security policy, and society. The effects of an ageing population on labor markets and health and social systems were discussed, as well as growing social imbalances and the question of the costs and benefits of increased migration.

 

The working group brought together 40 highly-qualified young executives from the US and Europe, aged between 28 and 38. The participants come from the fields of politics, business, academia and the media, as well as from the non-profit sector, and focus in their respective areas of activity on European politics and economics. The Berlin conference was followed by the second in November 2009 in Washington, D.C., and the third took place in Brussels and Paris in spring 2010. The conferences involved not only the study group participants in the discussions; high-ranking guest speakers were also invited to give lectures and took part in discussions.