Part 1: A Broad Overview of the Challenges

Europe faces significant challenges in revitalizing its future amid a complex global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, technological shifts, and social uncertainties. The 80th European Forum Alpbach 2025, one of the most continuous and renowned focal points of thought about the continent, emphasized the urgent need for Europe to adopt a forward-looking approach centered on “more future” to sustain its competitiveness and social cohesion.

Forum’s focus on Europe’s future

The 80th European Forum Alpbach highlighted Europe’s need to recharge its energy and dynamism to prevent stagnation in a difficult geopolitical context, questioning how to rejuvenate the European project without resorting to models like China’s or US nationalism.

Concept of “Reglobalization”

The forum framed current global changes as a phase of “Reglobalization”, where present and future increasingly merge. This situation demands for new instruments for anticipating and shaping not only wishful, but also possible futures amidst accelerating uncertainty.

Multiple coexisting futures

In democratic societies, the notion of a single “future” is replaced by multiple, often conflicting concepts of “futures” shaped by different social groups. This makes future work a key factor for social cohesion and new solidarities.

Global increase in future-oriented activities

Worldwide, there is a surge in institutions and reports focusing on foresight, anticipation, and futures literacy, supported by advanced methods like horizon scanning or scenario planning. All of them are dedicated to better manage unpredictability.

Educational and institutional developments

Universities and organizations globally are expanding futures studies programs, education courses and labs, such as those in Arizona, Dubai, South Africa, Finland, and Italy, fostering future competencies essential for governance and innovation.

Europe’s lag in future preparedness

Globally, despite being the most socially just continent, Europe lags behind in future-oriented governance, innovation, and education. This is due to bureaucratic and risk-averse approaches hindering its technological and social progress.

Consequences of neglecting future work

This neglect has contributed to Europe’s falling behind in eight of ten key technology fields, with major reports expressing concern over Europe’s insufficient future orientation. They urge enhanced future competence for economic and cultural strength.

Calls for institutionalizing futures research

Experts advocate for stronger institutional support for futures research and education in Europe to address sustainability and competitiveness challenges, highlighting initiatives that need wider adoption.

The full article in German is available here.

Continue reading: Part 2 – How Europe Can Reclaim Its Future