This report presents the main conclusions of the study 'Facing the future: time for the EU to meet global challenges', carried out in 2009 by the Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (JRC-IPTS) for the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA) of the European Commission. Its aim is to provide a comprehensive picture of the main trends and possible disruptive global challenges towards 2025 and beyond, and to examine how the EU could position itself to take an active role in shaping a response. The study fed into the preparations for the Europe 2020 strategy.
The methodology combined an extensive review of forward-looking studies, a wide online consultation on the identified issues and multi-criteria analysis with Robust Portfolio Modelling (RPM) to prioritise them. In total, 129 forward-looking reports were reviewed across six areas: demography, migration and health; economy, trade and financial flows; environment, energy, climate change and agriculture; research, innovation and education; governance and social cohesion; and defence and security. The key issues were then presented and discussed in a workshop with selected experts and policymakers.
Based on the criteria of urgency, tractability and impact, the workshop identified three challenges with a global scope that require action at EU level: the need to change current ways in which essential natural resources are used, the need to anticipate and adapt to societal changes, and the need for more effective and transparent governance for the EU and the world. The report sets out policy messages and opportunities for each challenge and highlights the need for building a foresight culture within EU policy-making.
Boden, M., Cagnin, C., Carabias, V., Haegeman, K., & Könnölä, T. (2010). Facing the future: Time for the EU to meet global challenges (EUR 24364 EN). Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2791/4223