Hit Play or Pause?: Twenty years after the beginning of the Berlin Process to integrate the Western Balkan States into the European Union, the Western Balkan Six have still not been able to meet the Copenhagen Criteria for Accession. While accession negotiations are at a standstill, how can the EU uphold its promise of a European future for the region?
Out of the frying pan: The Mediterranean is heating up 20% faster than other areas of the world due to climate change, threatening a desirable and liveable future for all neighbouring countries. At the same time, cooperation agreements with countries in the Region, such as Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt, provide an opportunity for green economic development for the EU and Mediterranean countries. How should the EU engage with neighbouring states in fighting climate change while enabling sustainable economic development within and beyond Europe?
Lost in translation: More than 60 Regional and Minority Languages (RMLs) are spoken by 60 million people in Europe. However, this diversity is threatened, as some of these languages are at risk of disappearing, despite language rights being safeguarded by EU law. How can European countries protect the rights of RML speakers and the linguistic diversity within Europe?
Aid without Borders: Recent conflicts have seen food and aid deprivation weaponised against civilians, contrary to International Humanitarian Law. At the same time, global government funding for humanitarian aid has dropped by an estimated 34-45%. How should European efforts be coordinated to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those that need it most, and should the EU consider an adjustment to its aid spending?
A sea of opportunity: The social economy is traditionally defined as parts of the private economy that are oriented towards helping local members and society at large, such as charities, trade unions or cooperatives. Its impact is enormous, making up 8% of GDP and playing a vital role in making society more cohesive and equitable. With the EU's social economy action plan being up for review in 2025, how should Europe adapt to current challenges in times of growing social corrosion?
The Handmaidʼs Tale: Contrary to the Istanbul Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), forced sterilisation continues in at least 14 EU Member States. This procedure, often happening without patientsʼ informed and free consent, disproportionately affects disabled women and contradicts the EU Gender Equality Strategy. What steps should the EU take regarding forced sterilisation across the EU, ensuring enforcement of disability rights and equitable care, especially for disabled women?
Nothing Is But What Is Not: Disinformation and populist narratives are threatening not only democratic discourse and decision making, but also the foundation of the knowledge society and the ability to innovate. Particularly, the rise of generative AI has created further challenges for users in identifying authenticity and accuracy. How can the EU strengthen fact-based dialogue and protect its capacity to innovate?
Rewrite your DNA: Currently, only 20 gene therapy products are available in the EU. High costs and a lack of regulatory harmonisation across Europe present barriers, while some forms of gene therapy present moral concerns. How can the EU promote research and translation of safe and accessible gene therapy to its citizens while balancing their moral dilemmas?
I Predict a Riot: Since 2024, Member States such as Germany have come under fire for restricting freedom of assembly through a variety of means, such as introducing legislation and using state violence against peaceful protesters. How can the EU deter its Member States from unlawfully cracking down on public assemblies and ensure that they uphold the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU?
Escándalo: The European economy suffers an estimated loss of EUR 990 billion annually to corruption. As the persistent and systemic nature of governmental corruption and abuse of public funds continues, how can the EU ensure responsible governance within its borders, through preventing and responding to corruption and abuse of funds in Member States?
No Safe Harbour: Member States continue to take unilateral measures on migration, despite the EU working to harmonise its approach through the Pact on Migration and Asylum. With European countries entering externalisation agreements and taking measures which undermine safe passage for those crossing deadly routes like the Mediterranean, how can the EU ensure full implementation of its asylum commitments while protecting the lives and dignity of people seeking refuge at its borders?
Smooth Criminal: Recently, Interpol, Europol, and Eurojust have warned that cybercrime is rising, driven by increasing digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence. How can the EU cooperate with global actors, such as the US, to tackle the emerging threat posed by cybercriminality driven by technological advancements?
Chain Reaction: Nuclear non-proliferation attempts have yielded little results, with Russia's violation of the Budapest Memorandum aggravating concerns about nuclear war. At the same time, deterioration of the transatlantic relationship renews the question of building an independent European Nuclear deterrent. How should the EU's approach to nuclear armament look, both domestically and internationally?
Off The Rails: The EU aims to further integrate its public transport infrastructure in a sustainable and efficient manner through the Trans-European Transport Network. However, the implementation of this project has proven troublesome, as evidenced by recent delays in constructing the Mediterranean corridor of the TEN-T. How should the EU act to construct a stable, environmentally friendly and efficient transport network across Europe?