Being one of the most complex political structures worldwide, the European Union has to face the continuously increasing tension between supranational integration and national sovereignty of the individual Member States. Given the scenarios of a “United States of Europe” or the one of a “Europe à la carte” how can the European integration process accommodate the common objectives without disregarding the national interests?
More than a million refugees have crossed into the EU, sparking tensions due to the disproportionate burden faced by some countries trying to cope with the unprecedented influx particularly in the external borders of Europe. How should the civil society and European states cooperate instead of fortifying their national borders to foster the social and economic inclusion of asylum holders?
The level of youth unemployment is alarmingly high in several EU Member States, with rates of over 50% recorded in Serbia and Greece, thus making the promotion of youth entrepreneurship a priority in the EU policy agenda. How can the EU and its Member States create a more favourable environment for the development and the expansion of start-ups in Europe within the concept of Europe 2020 growth strategy?
The World Health Organization announced that the World Health Day 2017 will be dedicated to depression since over 38% of the EU population is suffering from mental health disorders every year. How can the European countries strengthen legislation to ensure sufficient access to healthcare and establish support mechanisms to combat the social stigma for those struggling with mental health issues?
Faced with the escalating scarcity of natural resources, many public and private institutions believe that smart technology and alternative energy sources could offer solutions for waste management and energy reduction as pillars of a circular economy. With the example of Denmark trying to become entirely independent of fossil fuels by 2050 how can Europe set the foundations to support an environmentally sustainable future?
The freedom of expression in the media world is under threat with incidents like the increased state regulation of media in Turkey and Poland or the political intimidation and harassment many journalists face in Serbia. How should the European countries protect their media from censorship due to political or corporate interests and ensure the accurate and unbiased information of the population?
In the wake of Paris, Brussels and various other attacks, it is evident that Europe is facing its most serious terrorist threat for over 10 years, further highlighting the need of deeper cooperation and information sharing amongst the Member States. Considering how intrinsically connected to national interests intelligence activities are, how should the EU coordinate the efforts of national security and intelligence agencies to protect its citizens from further atrocities?