The more, the merrier: Recently, the EU celebrated 20 years since the 'Big Bang' enlargement that took place back in 2004, where 10 new Member States, including Cyprus, joined the Union. Up to this day, the United Kingdom left the Union and Croatia was the last Member State to join in 2013. With nine countries currently undergoing the formal accession process, how can the EU bridge the gap between Member States and candidates, while ensuring their smooth and successful integration?
Balance beam of ethics: Multiple athletes use banned substances and drugs to participate in the Olympics or other prestigious events and achieve greater scores. At the same time, state-sponsored doping programmes and corruption by national governments split sporting nations on how to keep the game fair. How can the EU keep sports clean and fair for both athletes and governments?
Whose lives matter? Every year, thousands of migrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea, seeking a better life in Europe. With the number of deaths caused by this route already being more than twice as much as in 2023, highlighting the dangers of this journey, how should the EU ensure the human rights of migrants at its borders and hold its institutions accountable?
Banking on experience: For an estimated 3,1 million young Europeans, the road into the labour market starts with an internship, which often leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and unpaid work. In 2024, the European Commission has proposed legislation cracking down on unpaid internships while shying short of banning them altogether. How should the EU ensure young people are not exploited while allowing as many young people as possible the opportunity to participate in the labour market?
Make agriculture green again: As the frequency of rising temperatures leading to droughts increases across various parts of Europe, safeguarding water becomes a crucial component of the European Green Deal. What measures can the EU implement to conserve water in agriculture while also promoting organic farming practices and mitigating pollution from pesticide residues, fertilisers, and chemicals?
Table for one: Young people aged 16-24 feel more lonely than any other age group, with 73% of Gen-Z reporting feeling lonely sometimes or always. With campaigns to tackle loneliness having been implemented in Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, how can the EU help Member States combat the loneliness of their youth?
Reality check: With rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) having the potential to revolutionise industries and reshape the workforce, how can the EU ensure the protection of intellectual property rights and address the potential impact of AI on employment in a rapidly evolving technological landscape?
Euro, who? With just 18% of European Citizens displaying a high level of financial literacy, and with economic literacy being disregarded by the educational systems, many people have started losing their trust in the euro and their banks. How can the EU prevent this downfall and safeguard the trust of people in the financial system?
Ink-redible freedom: According to the World Press Freedom Index for 2023-2024, one-third of Member States, including Cyprus, Greece, and Italy, are categorised as ‘problematic’, resulting in a threat of disinformation and censorship. Taking into consideration that media freedom is correlated with democracy and pluralism, what measures could the EU and Member States take to protect journalists and guarantee public and accessible information for all?
Driving sustainability: In 2022, the sales of electrified vehicles (EV) in Europe reached 2.59 million units and the the number of EVs sold each year in the EU is increasing. What steps can the EU implement to extend the lifespan of EVs and their components, while also promoting prolonged usage among EU citizens and encouraging the sale of second-hand cars?