The right of a people to choose its own state and territory versus state sovereignty: following a wave of succession movements and the possible withdrawal of Member States from the EU, how can cooperation be sustained while respecting peoples’ rights to self-governance and independence?
Europe for Citizens and the European Citizens’ Initiative, complemented by referenda on a national level as a response to the so-called democratic deficit of the European Union; what should the role of referenda and other means of direct democracy be, both on a national and European level, in future EU decision-making and the implementation of European law?
United at home but fragmented abroad? The European Union, as a peace project and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been criticised for an allegedly inefficient response to armed conflicts globally due to discordant national interests and a lacking application of diplomatic and military tools. How should the EU use its diplomatic power and military resources to more effectively contribute to global peace, while respecting the sovereignty of its Member States?
Finding the balance between the protection of national legal standards while developing towards a full common market: How should the EU deal with financial havens, offshore accounts and tax-avoidance regulations in its Member States?
Preparing for the next crisis to support those who need it the most: Italy recently pushed for a European unemployment insurance scheme aiming at solidarity within Europe through the stronger protection of Member States from sudden shocks of unemployment. What could be a potential EU strategy towards deeper integration of labour markets and employment policies, while respecting Member States’ sovereignty over their national social policy?
The 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) as yet another chance for a new legally binding and universal agreement on climate. In response to the outcome COP21, how should the EU and its Member States pursue their own climate targets and contribute to global climate diplomacy?
In Europe one in every three children under the age of 11 is either overweight or obese. Building on the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020, Jamie Oliver’s Sugar Manifesto even calls for more drastic steps against the marketing and advertising of unhealthy food products. How should the EU contribute to the protection of our most vulnerable consumers whilst respecting the Member States’ sovereignty with regards to taxation and principles of the free market?
A legal and practical fundamental rights safeguard for those deprived of freedom in prison facilities: Which common guidelines should the EU Member States agree on regarding detainees’ rights and freedoms, detention facilities, and social rehabilitation?
While EU Member States recently agreed on a quota for the redistribution of 120.000 asylum seekers, conflicting national interests persist regarding a permanent policy framework and successor to the Dublin 3 regulation. How should the EU respond to the influx of asylum seekers over the next years, addressing the needs of Members States at the external borders of the Union and facing those reluctant to share the burden?
A technological revolution turning into unregulated warfare. What stance should the EU take on the usage and development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and which are the common principles that should be globally accepted?