With the onset of the digital transformation, the unlimited availability of knowledge and information as well as the possibility of transparency and participation seemed to represent a great opportunity for Europe’s free and open societies. In the meantime, not only the opportunities but also the risks are clear to see. This has become particularly evident in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated leap in digitalisation. The polarisation of political debates, deliberately dispersed disinfor mation and the dependence on algorithms and digital infrastructure that have emerged in systems with different values the list of challenges we Europeans face in the digital realm is long.
The Digital Europe 2030 project brings these issues together and systematically thinks about the future in order to give new impetus to Germany’s European policy, especially in light of the current Council Presidency. In three working sessions, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft developed three scenarios for the year 2030 toge ther with an interdisciplinary group of experts under the methodological guidance of the company Foresight Intelligence. Preliminary options for present action were also derived from these scenarios.
For this workshop, the Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft has paired with United Europe to present United Europe’s Young Professional Advisors the three scenarios and to reflect together on the policy implications for the EU. It is expected that the results of this foresight process will be more effective if they are further thought through together with Young Professionals from all over Europe who are active in all sectors of society.
The workshop takes place on 24th September virtually. The three scenarios can be found here.