Putting Europe back on track - Report 2010
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Transcript of Putting Europe back on track - Report 2010
Putting Europe
back on track
What European Future Leaders thinkThe results of a survey
conducted by ThinkYoung on European future leaders about whether the EU is getting back on track, how to drive a strong recovery, and what business is
right for the future.
With the support of
We lobby for young people
2
Contents
introduction.......................................................................3
! who are the respondents?........................................4
! What is the aim of the report?.................................4
main findings........................................................................5
the results:
! europe in recovery.......................................................6
! is the eu getting back on Track?.............................6!! driving a strong recovery.........................................7!! the financial crisis.......................................................8!! innovation &technology...........................................10
europe & business that’s right for the future.........11
! europe & climate change............................................11
! europe & the world......................................................12
! enlargement...................................................................14
Conclusion..........................................................................16
ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
3
Introduction
ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
The 8th European Business Summit (EBS) takes place in Brussels on June 30th and July 1st 2010, bringing together business, government and opinion leaders from across Europe and the world to discuss what is needed to get Europe’s economy and businesses back on track.
To inform the debate and drive EBS’s agenda over the coming months, it has commissioned a survey of CEOs in Europe. The survey has been carried out jointly by EBS, FEB, Insead Business School and Accenture.
T h e E B S a n d T h i n k Y o u n g , a n independent think tank for and by young people, have decided to carry out the “European Future Leaders” survey involving a selected group of the most promising under 35 years old Europeans.
a m o n g s t o t h e r p u r p o s e s , T h e community of European Future Leaders has been founded to provide a group of respondents for this s u r v e y . i t i s a m u l t i -stakeholder community of selected exceptional young Europeans who are committed to being involved and taking leadership in the future. This r e p o r t p r o v i d e s c o n c r e t e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f r o m t h i s community aimed at EU political leaders, contributing to a more competitive and sustainable Union. Alongside the findings of the parent survey, the results of ThinkYoung’s research will invite comparison to identify what recommendations young people in Europe would like to supply decision makers with, and how these differ from those of current leaders.
4
Who are the respondents?
What is the aim of this report?
ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
The European Future Leaders are under 35 years of age and h a v e b e e n d r a w n f r o m o n e o f f o u r c a t e g o r i e s : entrepreneurs (owners/founders of companies), business men & women (professionals), politicians (elected representatives) or civil society members (journalists, employees of ngos and associations). All EU member states a r e r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e s a m p l e o f 2 5 9 s e l e c t e d respondents, as well as a number of non-EU countries. the sample exhibits satisfactory gender representation.
Nationalities represented: 41
42% women
58% men
average age: 25.6.
to extend the discussion about what is needed to get Europe’s economy and businesses back on track, and facilitate the interchange of ideas through the incorporation of the younger generation of business men and women, politicians, entrepreneurs and civil society members.
The objective is to be able to compare the views expressed by current leaders with those of future leaders, to establish if divergences exist and what they are, and ultimately to promote the voices of young people in the continuous building of the European Union.
5
Main Findings
the european future leaders recommend decision makers take the following actions:
ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
facilitate access to credit in setting up a business and
believe in young people: put your money where your mouth
is!
Reduce Bureaucracy, and focus on Education, Research
and Internet.
keep the focus on climate change and invest in renewable
and green energy sources.
Be less restrictive in migration in order to attract talents
from outside Europe; Make use of young expertise and skills. E
B
DC
ureacracy
redit
evelopment
ducation
6
ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
Europe in recovery: Is the EU Getting Back on Track?
“In the year 2020, the EU will be a
strong economy, recognized and
influential on the world stage.”
Do you agree?
Female as well as Eastern European
respondents tended to agree
to a larger extent than
other groups:
Female: 77%
Eastern European: 83%
67%
21%
12%
Distribution of answers:
Agree
disagree
neither agree nor disagree
THE RESULTS
7ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
according to the european future leaders
the three greatest barriers to the success of
Small and Medium enterprises in the EU are
1. Bureaucracy
2. Lack of access to credit
3. Taxation level
“It is clear that since September 2008 we have
been facing the most difficult situation since the Second World War - perhaps even since the
First WorldWar. We have
experienced - and are experiencing - truly
dramatic times.”European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, 15th may 2010,
Der Spiegel
Driving a strong recovery
2%
60%
10%
9%
7%
8%4%
AfricaAsia/Pacific North AmericaEuropean UnionEuropean countries outside the EUCentral & South America & CaribbeanMiddle East
young entrepreneurs
and Business leaders are
more optimistic for 2020 but
less convinced that the crisis is
resolved
Which region or group of countries is going to emerge the strongest from the recession?
8ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
It is widely accepted that the recession had its origins in the financial markets. The majority of European future leaders think that the problems in our financial institutions and markets have
not yet been sufficiently resolved.
the financial crisis
distribution of answers:
Unresolved
Somewhat resolved
completely resolved
59%40%
1%
the European future leaders claim that the EU needs to do
things differently. They prioritized among
actions the EU should take:
1 Ensuring access to secure energy
resources at a fair price
2 Innovating to bring other (non-
knowledge) new businesses and
services to the eu
3 Building relationships with
the emerging economies to grow
our markets and reduce costs
Long run
1 Innovating to grow industries that create, use and
trade knowledge (knowledge-
economy)
2 Getting the right balance between
regulation and liberalization of our
financial markets
3 Up-skilling and re-skilling our
workforce: education, education, education
Short run
of lowest priority
1 Restoring consumer confidence
2 Concentrating on EU-US relations
3 Decreasing labour market
costs
9
ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
actions by non-eu countries that can serve as
inspiration to drive recovery:
USA: “Getting the right balance
between regulation and
liberalization of the financial
markets” / male, entrepreneur,
albanian, age 34
USA: “Financing young
entrepreneurship”/ Female,
Entrepreneur, Italian, Age 25
India: “Investing in technology and bringing foreign
investment to their IT capital” /
Male, Entrepreneur,
Portuguese, Age 24
China: “investing in research” / Female,
Politician, German, Age 24
China: “Loosening credit
restrictions, cutting taxes and massive spending
on infrastructure” /
Male, Entrepreneur,
Bulgarian, age 21
Brazil: “Supporting local small and medium enerprises and local production” / Female, Civil society, Italian, age 33
10ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
respondents mentioned an
insufficient access to talent and the
INability to attract and keep such talent,
and the lack of flexibility in labour markets as barriers
to success.
european future leaders consider the
lack of innovation from business a problem which
prevents companies in the EU from using the
internet and new mobile technology to their full potential.
How can the EU position itself as leading-edge when it comes to innovation?
• the solution lies in increasing the presence of r&d clusters, which would lead to increased l e a d i n g - e d g e e x p e r t i s e a n d s p e c i a l i z e d knowledge.
• this can only be reached by formulating a common european vision and a strategy for innovation.
• what is needed is one european leadership: not different national ones.
Innovation & technology
11ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
europe & Business that's Right for the Future
To reach world per
capita average
of CO2
emissions, China would
need to reduce
its emissions
by 4.8%, the
United States by 76.8% and
the European Union by
45.5%.
93% think that
climate change is
an important area for the EU to focus on
2/3 of european future leaders
suggest building capacity using
renewable sources and focusing on measures to
reduce energy consumption to
conserve supplies.
The EU is seen as a world leader when it comes to tackling climate
change and promoting a low carbon economy. The european future
leaders agree that it is important for the EU to maintain this position.
What, then, should be done to ensure a secure, fairly priced
energy supply in the EU over the next ten years?
europe & climate change
keep the European
leadership in climate
change
12ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
opportunity to build a new, multipolar international
system 44%
According to most analysis of current global trends, the world is undergoing a
progressive shift of power, with the relative weakening of the US and the EU and
the emergence of other actors such as China, India and Brazil.
a large majority view this phenomenon as an opportunity to build a new international system,
whilst only a small number consider it a potential threat for
employment and well-being in europe.
78%see opportunity
opportunity to build a new more stable global economic
system 34%
potential threat for employment and well- being in
Europe in thefuture 11%
potential threat for world economic stability 5%
normal historical process that will not have major
consequences on the current international
system 5%
europe & the world
13ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
Migration is a...migration
flows addressing the
european continent are
viewed as a resource for the
european economy and an opportunity for
cultural exchange and
enrichment, rather than as a
threat to european identity
or employment possibilities for
native europeans.
84%see opportunity
& resource
“I think what really needs to happen is a general mind change; it seems Europeans have become too full of themselves. This belief that we are better (Denmark still thinks it does not need the EU or the
outside world) and that there is no room for outsiders is what is dragging this region down”/ Female, Business, Danish, Age 23
...Resource for the European economy
...Opportunity for cultural exchange and enrichment
...Threat to European culture/identity
...Threat to employment possibilities for native Europeans
43%
39%
9%
9%
14ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
39%
27%
18%
17%
The EU enlarged to the right extent but at a wrong time/speed
the EU enlarged to the right extent and at the right time/speed
the EU has not enlarged enough and should do so in the near future
the EU has enlarged too much
in 2004, the EU enlarged from 15 to 25 member states, and further in 2007 to make 27. The european future leaders
are very divided on the question of the pace and extent of eu enlargement:
Enlargement
15ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
Northern Europeans
were more likely than the average to say that the EU has not enlarged enough and should do so
in the near future...
Western Europeans
were more likely than the average to say that
there has been too much enlargement...
Southern Europeans
were more likely than the average to say that the EU has enlarged to the right extent but at
the wrong time/speed...
Eastern Europeans
were a lot less likely than the average
respondent to say that the EU has enlarged too
much...
16ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
despite certain shortcomings, the e u r o p e a n f u t u r e l e a d e r s v i e w democracy in europe today as rather strong. They identify that the success of the european economy depends on everyone - business, EU member states and EU institutions - working together towards a commonly identified goal.
to get europe back on track it is according to the respondents crucial that the EU speak with a single voice and act under a single leadership.
t h e E x c e s s i v e b u r e a u c r a c y s u r r o u n d i n g s m a l l a n d m e d i u m enterprises must be addressed so as to create opportunities for success.
In order to continue to be a pioneer in tackling climate change, the EU must invest in renewable and green energy sources.
It must also prioritize the building of a knowledge economy in which talent f r o m o u t s i d e e u r o p e c a n b e incorporated and utilized rather than seen as a threat.
Conclusion
17ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
Connect European institutions to the people, listen to their needs and act in their interest; connectivity, democratization, links, and transparency are keywords in order to realize a true touch between institutions and people. The world is changing rapidly from its basis and real persons feel real needs: they want to be able to propose and discuss solutions to related
problems.
democracy educationconnection sharing
vision
view
outward
entrepreneurshipunity development
identity
faster
green
transparency
innovation
sustain the change
involvemententhusiasmlistening
connection
energy
18ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
Maggy Peeters, Annelies Maes, Elie Naudts, Hans Van der Loo, Wytze Russchen, Bruno Lanvin, Raffaele Salvati, Arianna Whelan, Kade Leniqi, Lindita Komani, Brian Gjerstrup, Carolyn Rush, Antonia Sariyska, Valmir Mustafa, Cristiano Fibbi, Chiara De Caro and all the 259 European Future Leaders.
The team
Anne Schley
Maria Holmblad
Corinne Weis
Azzurra Giorgio
Kaltrina Lloncari
Simone Disegni
Andrea Gerosa
Stefano Benini
a Special Thanks to:
Stefano Cini
19ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
ThinkYoung is the knowledge partner of the Junior Enterprise World Conference which is hosted by Bocconi University in Milan, from 22-‐25 July 2010. The conference brings together over 400 students from all over the world in order to encourage dialogue, strengthen global ciOzenship and exchange knowledge about entrepreneurship.www.jewc2010.com
‘Advocacy for Young People of Kosovo’ is the first NGO project of its kind, undertaking real acOons to bring Kosovo and its youth closer to the European Union. On May 19th 2010 ThinkYoung organized a conference called ‘The Youth as Promoter of the EU IntegraOon of Kosovo’ in PrishOna. The project also includes an essay compeOOon, a 5 month internship in Brussels and a documentary. With the support of Friedrich Ebert SO`ung, Soros FoundaOon and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport of Kosovo.
COMING SOON:
22-25 july
September
This survey was carried out with the participation of:
20ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think
What do young Europeans think?EducaOon is the most important topic young Europeans want the
European Parliament to focus on.(ThinkYoung Survey 2009)
ThinkYoung is the first think tank made by young people for young people. ThinkYoung‘s main acOviOes are conducOng surveys to find out the opinions of European youth, organizing and contribuOng to conferences and shooOng documentary films about young people‘s lives.Our aim is to make Brussels aware of what young people think. Our vision is to make Europe think young.
Join us...Lobby for young people!
We lobby for young people
ThinkYoung aisbl6 Rond Point Schuman
1040 – Bruxelles+32 2 669 07 50
www.thinkyoung.eu www.facebook.com/thinkyoung
Anne Schley Project [email protected]
Andrea Gerosa Chief Thinker