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TOMORROW’S
Europe
INCLUSIVE, INNOVATIVE,
INTERCONNECTED
A collection of essays by global women leadersA collection of essays by global WOMEN leaders
tomorrow’s europe
For almost 20 years, the European Business Summit is proud to have provided a debating
platform enabling business representatives to engage with policy-makers to act as solu-
tion providers and harness the positive forces at work.
As the European Business Summit gathers the most inquisitive minds to address chal-
lenges transforming Europe, we have invited women leaders to contribute to the EBS
Publication. They will share their thoughts in a compelling series of essays addressing
some crucial questions. How to compete within a globalized economy whilst guaran-
teeing and improving our democratic socio-economic model? How to ensure smooth
societal transitions brought by digitalisation, the changing nature of work and the devel-
opment of cleaner energy? These are some of the crucial questions to be touched upon.
The world we live in is transforming at unprecedented rates. While global players have
woken up and are increasingly gaining ground, Europe is facing an array of demands and
challenges. Growing inequalities, slow economic growth, greater disconnect between
the European Institutions and EU citizens, climate change, digitalisation and populism
are fuelling scepticism. As these tensions escalate and cleavages deepen among the
population, the legitimacy of the European project is itself being questioned. Can the
European Union address the complex array of challenges facing the 21st century?
The European Union has found ways to address member states’ issues that could other-
wise not be addressed and offer opportunities to citizens otherwise not available. Europe
has been made stronger through cooperation, however difficult this inclusive path may
sometimes be. Our solidarity has been the envy of many around the world. However, par-
adoxically, just when Europe is needed the most to resist fierce international competition
and to protect our liberties, its essence is the most endangered.
As we approach the European Elections, EBS aims to encourage business and policy
makers to work hand in hand. The European Union must look towards the future and
consolidate a cohesive leadership to lead in a globalised world. It must be prouder of its
accomplishments, benefit all citizens and take ownership of its natural prominent role to
play on the international plane.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the prominent leaders for their
contributions. I am confident these essays will resonate strongly.
I hope you enjoy these very inspiring essays.
Arnaud Thysen
Director General
European Business Summit
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 5foreword
Europe today is in a dichotomy. On the one hand it is at the forefront of huge
cultural, economic and social advances. The European family continues to grow
and, as part of that, we welcome new, vibrant economies into the fold. At the same
time, it is at a crossroads and under the global spotlight like never before. The way poli-
cy makers and business leaders react today will redefine the Europe of tomorrow.
We are striving for a Europe that reflects the values of the European Business Summit;
to be an inclusive, innovative and connected community. There are many reasons for
optimism. Policy makers are working with businesses to make contributions to an
even better Europe. And increasingly, we are talking about women sitting alongside
their male counterparts, taking their rightful place at the heart of that process.
As this collection of essays will demonstrate, women across Europe are assuming
more and more responsibility and getting closer to a gender-neutral playing field we,
as business leaders, must strive for.
We have come a long way, and I am passionate about ensuring this progress continues.
It is the shared responsibility of every last one of us, both men and women, to ensure
there is equality for the future leaders of tomorrow. I know this will be a common topic
of discussion at the European Business Summit 2019 and I welcome seeing the result
of new policies, strategies and actions to encourage female leadership and greater gen-
der neutrality – and diversity in general.
As technology becomes more and more advanced, so do the skills required from
Europe’s students and future leaders. They can’t solely rely on their local education sys-
tem, no matter how good it might be, to provide for their future needs. It is now our re-
sponsibility, as successful business leaders, to help develop this generation and shape
their learning environment beyond the classroom. We need to be innovative with the
tools for them to thrive.
This not only includes providing students with the theoretical understanding of new
technology, but also with real-world opportunities. They need to develop and practice
their skills to understand the impact and implications of how technology works.
You may have heard the phrase ‘moving at a million miles an hour.’ I think it is one of
the best phrases to summarise the rate of today’s technology advancements. However,
we are starting to see common themes emerge.
Hanne B. Sorensen
Director (Independent Non-Executive)
Tata Consultancy Services
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 7Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin GirlsCoding, Founder, Nigeria
Technology is changing the narrative, bringing
new realities and with the new reality of digital
technology comes the opportunity to empower
those born into a place of fewer opportunities.
When I was invited to Recently, there has are short-term and have
contribute to this collection been large influx of mi- been counter-productive1.
of essays, I wondered what grants into Europe via In the nearest future, the
an African can contribute the Mediterranean. The European Union will defi-
towards Europe’s future. migrant’s population nitely adopt ambitious poli-
However, the ever-increas- consists of higher number cies and implement stricter
ing number of deaths of Africans and Arabs. laws to curb the alarming
recorded as young wom- An alarming number of influx of illegal migrants.
en and men from Africa migrants particularly The EU Trust fund for Africa
risk their lives to migrate from sub-Saharan African has been created to tackle
to Europe is a strong countries have endured the foundational cause
motivation. long trips in extreme con- of migration however the
ditions to reach Libya and result has not been fully
Europe is the second small- Algeria in order to get into satisfactory. In the coming
est continent in the world European countries par- years, the current securi-
with 50 different countries ticularly France, Italy and ty-driven approach of the
and 28 of these countries Spain. In the coming years, EU member states will no
belongs to the European migration into Europe will longer be considered viable,
Union. It is a continent with continue to accelerate in and a more holistic tactic
diverse individuals from speed and scale. of solving the root cause
different regions with large of migration would be the
number of immigrants. Previously, the European focus of the EU.
Europe has scenic sites; Union (‘EU’) has pushed dif-
from the breathtaking ferent countries particularly In this essay, I want to make
cities of Barcelona, Prague, the ones from Niger north- a strong case for technolo-
Florence, Amsterdam to the ward and Nigeria to adopt gy as a means for tackling
romantic city of Paris. The laws and policies that will the migration problem
region has attracted large block the illegal migration from Africa to Europe.
numbers of tourists year- of persons. However, the Technology is transform-
round particularly during policies adopted by coun- ing everyday lives and has
the summer. tries like Libya and Nigeria become essential to how all
United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda, namely goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
1
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 9The opportunities that technology brings
are immeasurable.
businesses operate across The majority of young out, is by giving them an
different sectors. Emerging people illegally migrating economically viable skillset
technologies are fast into Europe are from the at an early age.
becoming determinates on marginalized societies with
how we live and exist; from little or no connectivity to A 6-month training in front-
big data to artificial intelli- the world of opportunities end design, can be used to
gence. Never in the history offered by technology. jumpstart a fledgling career
of the world have we had it Hence, we believe that if in computer programming,
this easy. Technology has technology is introduced to which in turn can open
democratized how knowl- them as an alternative, they up opportunities across
edge can be acquired and will embrace it, and utilize international boundaries.
traded in the new market it to build a great future Through technology, years
place. A couple of decades in Africa and eventually of subpar educational op-
ago a high school graduate collaborate with technol- portunities and poor living
in Nigeria was confined ogy-based organization in conditions can be oblite-
to the lower rungs of a Europe thereby contribut- rated by a 6-month course;
corporate ladder or perhaps ing positively to society. opportunities reserved only
an entrepreneurial venture for graduates of the most
in farming or trading. But A very good example is prestigious universities
technology is changing the the work we do with girls across the world suddenly
narrative, bringing new from the underprivileged open up for anyone with a
realities and with the new societies in Lagos, Nigeria. functional skill set.
reality of digital technology Where we identified a float-
comes the opportunity to ing slum called Makoko Furthermore, digital tech-
empower those born into community, a home for over nology-based careers have
a place of fewer oppor- 400,000 people living in a lower barrier-to-entry
tunities. And we are just shanties. The young people thus it is a viable means of
witnessing the beginning. in this community are a support to young people
ready target for illegal mi- who might never otherwise
The opportunities that gration. Over the years our be suited for job opportu-
technology brings are own mechanism for bring- nities in other professional
immeasurable. ing the beautiful young girls paths which require more
born in this community educational qualifications.
1 0 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSDigital technology-based careers have a
lower barrier-to-entry thus it is a viable
means of support to young people.
At GirlsCoding we have Makoko (a floating commu- illegal migration. European
exploited and are still ex- nity), helping making the and African leaders must
ploiting these opportunities fishermen sell more seafood think more in this direction.
with tangible evidence of at a better price thereby
success. make a good living.
GirlsCoding is an intense
program organized by
Female Genital Mutilation
(www.breaktheblade.org):
We believe
Pearls Africa Foundation An advocacy tool created acquiring
for young girls’ age 10-17 by some of our girls as a
years, living in underserved team to solve the problem of technological
communities in Nigeria, Female Genital Mutilation
to train them in computer in our country and some skills is not
skills, robotics and web
development skills with a
other places. This platform
sensitizes people on the only an
learning process in a basic
programming language
negativity of the practice
and is finding a way to help
investment
such as HTML, CSS, the victims. but also a
JavaScript and Python.
These girls equipped with Hope Basket (www.hope- sustainable
this skill have become basket.com.ng): A project
problem solvers not just built to help get decluttered means of
for themselves but for their
entire communities. The
materials across to the
internally displaced persons solving the
following projects and more
have been undertaken by
in their respective camps. problem
our girls: We believe acquiring tech- of illegal
nological skills is not only
Makoko fresh ( http://www. an investment especially migration.
makokofresh.com.ng/) An when targeted directly
ecommerce platform that towards African youth but
connects buyers of fresh fish also a sustainable means
to the fishermen who live in of solving the problem of
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 11Deanna Bass
Executive Director, Global Diversity and Inclusion,
Procter & GambleAttracting and retaining women in the workforce
is good for women, it’s good for the economy,
and good for business.
Workplace Equality Harvard Business Review Earlier this month, the
Begins At Home report shows that companies European Institutions
that go from “no women in agreed the Work-Life
The urgency to deliver gender corporate leadership…to 30 Balance Directive which
equality in the workforce percent female share” can see addresses challenges of
is stronger than ever. results that translate into a working parents and carers.
Increasing women’s work- 15% increase in profitability. Included in this directive
force participation, closing is a provision that provides
the pay gap and equalizing One key to attaining higher fathers and/or equivalent
responsibilities at home are female participation—en- second parents 10 working
not just nice-to-haves, but suring that women are fully days of paid leave around
an economic imperative for engaged with their jobs and the time of the child’s birth.
governments and companies that they remain with their Expanding paid paternity
alike. employer—is to give men leave shouldn’t be a con-
Attracting and retaining access to paid leave that troversial idea across the
women in the workforce is allows them to share the EU. Today, all EU member
good for women, it’s good for child-rearing and bond with states offer some form of
the economy, and good for their children. paid paternity or parental
business. leave- and with the Work-Life
How so? Well-being at home Balance Directive approved,
This conversation is alive and ties to well-being at work. A there will be more uniform-
well across the European report from the European ity across the region. Even
Union. According to the Commission observes that with this move however,
European Institute for “where new fathers take the gap between cultural
Gender Equality, improving parental leave, mothers norms and family policies
gender equality overall could return to work more easily, remains wide in the region,
add up to €3.15 trillion in female employment is higher, leaving companies with the
EU GDP by 2050. Moreover, and the earning gap is lower.” need to equalize policies and
ensuring a level playing field Kids benefit, too. Children cultures inside their own
for women at work and pro- whose fathers participate in walls. As the fight for highly
viding equal opportunities their upbringing do better skilled talent grows across
for them to rise in leadership developmentally, in school the EU, so does the need for
drives business results. A and on cognition tests. companies to break down
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 13If for no other reason, companies
should see paternity leave as a
matter of equality.
barriers to gender equality child’s care and as an impor- companies—this seems so
—to include engagement in tant side note, have a fewer obvious. But for paternity
policies and cultures that conflicts over household leave to take hold, there
encourage women to return division of labor. must also be consistency.
to work after childbirth Any multi-national company
and encourage men to be at supporting expats will rec-
home after a child is born. Better for women: ognize the failed employee
experience that occurs
Paid parental leave —espe- when an expectant father
Better for men: cially paternity leave— is whose home country is, say,
good for women. A spouse Finland, where the govern-
If for no other reason, com- or partner taking paid time ment mandates 54 weekdays
panies should see paternity off to participate in early of paternity leave, compares
leave as a matter of equal- child care has a short-term notes with his cube-mate
ity. Maternity leave is the impact on women’s physical who will now receive 10 days
only employee benefit that and psychological well-being of paid leave.
discriminates on the basis and a longer-term impact of
of sex. And the impact on her workforce participation. So, there is more work for
men is significant. Today Equally important, a 2014 companies and countries
more than ever, men expect study showed that for every to do. I work for Procter &
to be in dual career and month of parental leave a Gamble, a multinational
dual carer relationships. man takes, a woman’s salary consumer goods company
Today, more than ever, goes up by almost 7 percent. with a strong global equity
parenting is important to Paternity leave, it seems, has of being a great place to
men. According to Pew, 57% a greater effect on women’s work. Across Europe, we are
of men see being a dad as earnings than maternity implementing a standard
central to their identity, and leave does. 8-week minimum paternity
68% say it’s important for leave policy to complement
fathers as well as mothers to the suite of flex options we
bond with their new babies. Better for companies: already have in place. Like
Not surprisingly, men who many companies across
take paternity leave tend to Stronger economies, hap- Europe, our goal is to
be more involved with their pier employees, healthier advance gender equality in
1 4 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSPaternity leave has a greater effect on women’s
earnings than maternity leave does.
part though encouraging working mothers across
men to share the care at Europe are still doing the
home. We realize there are bulk of the parenting work
significant cultural barriers at home—hindering their
to men taking leave and that upward mobility in the
the full benefits of paternity workplace. Government
leave won’t be felt unless we and corporate policies that
send a strong and consistent encourage men to shoulder
message in support of father- their fair share of responsi-
hood: That paternity leave is bility from the start can, and
a benefit we want employees will, help equalize the effects
to take. of maternity leave and moth- Europe
The rewards to companies
erhood on the development,
compensation and overall can lead
for implementing these
programs can be great.
equality of women in our
organizations.
the globe to
Studies in both Scotland and true gender
the U.S., show that fathers
and parents of both sexes A vision for tomorrow: equality.
who received parental leave
were more likely to stay with When we envisage tomorrow,
their companies. Paternity my colleagues and I envisage
leave is also associated with a corporate world in which
a mother’s ability to return the narrative has shifted
to the same employer—a from “caregiving is strictly a
significant advantage to woman’s issue” to “caregiving
companies hoping to retain is for both parents”. We see a
female talent. tomorrow in which partners
share tasks related to home
Perhaps most importantly, and child care and have an
paternity leave is proving equal opportunity at work.
to be the key to addressing Europe can lead the globe to
the pay equity gap. Today, true gender equality.
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 15Nayé Anna Bathily Head, Global Parliamentary Engagement, The World Bank Group
Europe is a bastion of democracy
and diversity.
What the Future of Europe is a leader in many youth jobs, and technology,
Europe Should Look Like aspects of equal representa- among others.
– Inclusive Parliaments tion in parliament, namely
for Shared Prosperity women and youth. With a Research shows that these
regional average of 27.9% are exactly the policies need-
Europe is a bastion of women in parliament, it is ed for inclusive economic
democracy and diversity. second only to the Americas, growth. Europe scored
Parliaments across Europe and above the global mean highest overall in the World
are becoming increasingly of 24.1%. Nordic countries Bank Women, Business
representative of the pop- have the largest rate in the and the Law report, which
ulation with shifts toward world with 42.3% wom- measures gender inequal-
gender balance and accurate en. Meanwhile the youth ity in the law across 187
age balance, yet there is participation rate across economies; however, only
still progress to be made, parliaments in Europe is the six economies scored 100
and fast. In recent years, highest in the world, with on the index, meaning they
inequalities, particularly 3.9% under 30, 23.5% under give women and men equal
among generations, have 40, and 37.5% under 45, com- legal rights in the measured
increased, trust in democ- pared to the global averages areas (Belgium, Denmark,
racy has decreased, and of 2.2, 15.5 and 28.1 percent France, Latvia, Luxembourg
rising waves of populism respectively. and Sweden). While the top
are threatening to fray ties scorers were all in Europe,
among nations. Legislative Female and youth lawmak- for every law denying equal
bodies and governments as a ers are essential to bring the economic opportunities
whole must evolve to reflect voice of their demographics to women, countries are
changing demographics and into policy discussions. missing out – in 2014 alone,
ensure policies to promote Women typically address Europe and Central Asia
inclusion, restore trust in challenges such as equal lost $41.6 trillion in human
government, and strength- pay, reproductive rights, and capital (or the potential
en diplomacy throughout gender-based violence, as of people) due to gender
Europe and around the well as social issues includ- inequality.
world. ing childcare and education.
Likewise, young MPs prior- As technological advance-
itize policies on education, ments are changing the
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 17By its very nature, Europe is geographically,
culturally and historically poised for acceptance
and interconnectivity.
1 8 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSnature of work, investments renew trust in governments own countries. This holds
and policies promoting and improve diplomacy. An particularly true for Africa,
human capital, specifical- emphasis on investments where in 2050 the popula-
ly in health and quality and reforms in education tion under age 24 will in-
education, are the fastest builds social capital and crease by nearly 50 percent,
and surest way to prepare could help to boost social but participation in parlia-
workers for the jobs of the fu- cohesion and trust. For ment of youth under 30 was
ture. On the human capital example, a wave of school at only 1.5% in 2018 2. Seeing
index, which quantifies the reforms across Europe in the women in power could
contribution of health and mid-20th century contrib- also help shift social norms
education to the productiv- uted to people being more across borders. Research
ity of the next generation of tolerant of immigrants. The shows that just one woman
workers, Europe has some advantages of women and in a leadership position can
of the highest scores in the youth policymakers for de- positively change societal
world; however, there is still mocracy and for society are opinions of women, and even
work to be done to guar- clear. Efforts must therefore increase parental expecta-
antee that today’s youth be continued and reinforced tions for their daughters.
become healthy, flourishing to achieve and maintain
members of society and accurate representation in The Europe of the future will
countries are not foregoing parliaments and beyond. be part of a more inclusive,
income. Women and youth diverse, and interconnected
are more likely to take the A stronger, more democrati- global community. If this
action necessary to place cally inclusive Europe would diversity and inclusion
their countries on a trajecto- not only benefit Europe, it continues to be reflected in
ry toward economic growth would contribute to a rising parliaments through repre-
and prosperity. trend that resonates around sentative democracies, we
the world. By its very nature, all stand to prosper.
Women and young MPS im- Europe is geographically,
prove governance through culturally and historically
increased integrity and poised for acceptance and
efficiency. The study, The interconnectivity. The world Younger
Female Political Career by at large is also becoming
Women Political Leaders increasingly connected generations
shows that women tend to be
less corrupt and more likely
digitally through smart
phones, the internet, and so-
being the
to cooperate across party
lines, bridging partisan
cial media, meaning people,
and especially youth, are no
catalysts for
divides to find compromise. longer only comparing their change in
The Inter-Parliamentary lifestyle to their neighbor,
Union found that Young MPs they are comparing it to peo- government
bring innovation, fresh ideas ple across the globe, causing
and energy to the legislative aspirations to rise. and
dialogue.
Youth around the world can
emulate this
Improved representation
and governance combined
witness younger genera-
tions being the catalysts
in their own
with improvements in for change in government countries.
education could serve to and emulate this in their
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 19Elzbieta Bienkowska
EU Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry,
Entrepreneurship and SMEsInnovative technologies can help us solve
today’s most pressing problems, such as air
pollution or plastic waste.
Innovation mobilising public invest- and promote a strong and
ments under the Juncker innovative defence industry.
Automation, artificial intel- Plan, removing barriers in
ligence, connected cars… the EU Single Market and Just in February, we reached
The world is changing fast creating a regulatory frame- a provisional agreement on
and we need to make sure work that helps European our proposal for a future
to keep up with the develop- businesses and industry to European Defence Fund – a
ments. We need foresight, in- adapt and turn challenges €13 billion programme that
vestments and a regulatory into opportunities. will promote a strong and
framework that encourage, innovative defence industry
not stifle innovation. The aim behind all these and raise the EU's autonomy
initiatives is clear: to get and technological leadership
Innovation is the key to us ready for the Europe of in defence. It will also pro-
Europe’s competitiveness. tomorrow. vide incentives for projects
We know that innovative with cross-border participa-
businesses experience tion of many SMEs and mid-
higher turnover and are Defence caps in the defence supply
better placed to compete chain. In more advanced
globally. We also know that In a world of increasing technologies, promising
innovative technologies can instability, no country can solutions are often devel-
help us solve today’s most address the fast evolving oped by smaller companies.
pressing problems, such as threats on its own. That is The Fund gives incentives
air pollution or plastic waste. why we have taken steps to for SMEs so that they are not
To put it simply, if we want encourage cooperation in only subcontractors but ac-
to face global competition defence research and laid tual full partners in defence
and respond to technolog- the groundwork to support projects. This should help to
ical challenges, we need to joint development of defence bring more innovation into
embrace innovation. capabilities. These actions defence product develop-
are crucial to help Europe ment cycles.
Over the years, we have been gradually ensure its own
working hard to create an security. At the same time, Overall, the fund is an
environment that fosters such cooperation will en- important building block to
innovation. We have been hance innovation in defence ensure that Europe becomes
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 21a stronger security provider saving lives, Galileo makes a Industry
for its citizens. It will ensure difference.
that Europe benefits from EU industry is a key driver of
cutting-edge, interoperable Looking to the future, productivity and innovation,
defence technology and we need to maintain this and the basis of our pros-
equipment in areas such as cooperation and enhance perity. It is also at the heart
artificial intelligence, drones our leadership. As space of our society. We are world
or satellite communication. technology becomes indis- leaders in many industrial
Ultimately, it will contribute pensable, it is critical to take sectors and our leading
to the creation of a Union advantage of the considera- position has been built on
that protects and defends. ble potential on offer. a common Single Market,
talented workforce, world-
The €16 billion EU Space class science base and strong
Space Programme, currently value chains.
under negotiation, allows
European progress in us to have an even more However, our industry is also
space has been incredible. ambitious vision and tap the facing a number of chal-
Our space programmes – full potential of our space lenges: rapid technological
Copernicus, EGNOS and programme to create sus- development, intense global
Galileo – deliver benefits and tainable jobs and growth for competition or the need to
opportunities to millions of the EU. The programme pro- become more sustainable.
people and businesses. The poses tools to maximise the We are working on several
European space programme benefit from our investment fronts to turn them into op-
is a testament to successful in space. Tailored for todays portunities and support our
European cooperation. connected world, it includes industry in this transition,
a number of initiatives to putting particular efforts
Copernicus, our Earth help space innovation and into improving energy and
observation programme, is industry in Europe thrive. resource efficiency, digitisa-
delivering data and services tion, as well as skills across
of unprecedented quality. Under the new EU Space all our policy areas and
It sets global standards by Programme, it is important industrial sectors. At the
offering the most accurate to continue with our efforts same time, we are improv-
climate and environmental to foster the development of ing access to finance and
data, 24/7. The Copernicus market-driven space-based mobilising investments
programme will help us fight applications and servic- across Europe. For example,
climate change and improve es. We need to support a the Investment Plan for
CO2 emission monitoring, European ‘New Space’ of Europe has already triggered
and its data will continue to innovative start-ups and more than €380 billion in
be used to create innovative encourage further user investments across the EU
products and services. uptake of space services. and supported hundreds of
Stimulating growth of the thousands of SMEs.
Galileo, our satellite naviga- sector, for example via
tion programme, is provid- innovation partnerships To ensure that our industry
ing navigation, positioning and improved access to risk enjoys a global level playing
and timing information to finance is a priority. Then, we field, we are leading the
more than 600 million users will be able to benefit from reform of the World Trade
worldwide. From connected all the services offered by the Organisation. We have con-
cars, to phone navigation, to EU space programme. cluded a number of bilateral
2 2 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSWe need to continue building on the
good work already done and pushing for
changes that are needed to ensure that
Europe remains ahead of the game.
trade agreements, updated Single Market it enhances the industrial
our trade defence instru- competitiveness as well as
ments and made a revised It goes without saying that supports our standing and
proposal to ensure reciproc- the Single Market is our influence in the world.
ity in international procure- greatest asset. It makes our
ment. We will soon have lives easier every single day So our task here is clear - we
in place the first European by giving us better choice of really need to show leader-
framework to screen foreign products at lower prices or ship and political courage to
investment. by allowing businesses to take the Single Market to the
trade easily across borders. next level.
On the global stage, we The Single Market is the
stand for free, rule-based engine behind our economic Over the past years, we
trade. But we are not naïve growth. It creates jobs and have done a lot to improve
free traders. We do not enhances our industrial defence cooperation,
hesitate to take action to competitiveness. develop EU space infrastruc-
preserve our jobs and adopt ture, support EU industry
anti-dumping measures However, the Single Market and improve the way our
when faced with unfair needs everybody in the EU Single Market works. But
trading practices. to play by the commonly this is not the finishing line.
agreed rules. In the world Tomorrow’s Europe will be
The goal for the future? Our where our global compet- full of changes and chal-
industrial policy should itors are continent-sized lenges, so we need to make
reflect the values that we as economies, we need to pull sure we stay on the right
Europeans stand for and be together. We need to resist track and keep up with the
a tool to shape better future the temptation to draw progress.
for our citizens. And this is up domestic barriers and
not a job for the Commission try to deepen European We need to continue build-
alone. We need to continue integration instead. This ing on the good work already
working together at the EU, will ensure that the Single done and pushing for chang-
national and regional levels, Market becomes a tool that es that are needed to ensure
in partnership with industry, delivers prosperity to the that Europe remains ahead
to face global challenges. citizens, that it becomes a of the game.
This will continue to be a real launchpad for our inno-
collective effort. vative companies and that
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 23Helena Bjarnegård Sweden’s first State Architect
Perhaps the most radical of all of the goals set by
government is the idea that architecture and
design should be used as tools in tackling
society’s biggest challenges.
Designing Sustainability These authorities include Perhaps the most radical of
– Sweden’s Ambitious those directly engaged in all of the goals set by govern-
Solution to Tackling building architecture, but ment is the idea that archi-
Society’s Biggest also those with responsibility tecture and design should be
Challenges for infrastructure, used as tools in tackling soci-
environment, community ety’s biggest challenges. The
In May 2018, the Swedish participation and research. aim of the new policy frame-
government passed a bill As these pieces have fallen work is to raise standards of
for a new national policy for into place over the last year, design and construction, to
architecture and design, it has become clear that tackle the quality, beauty and
entitled “Policy for Designed Sweden has a unique oppor- environmental performance
Living Environment” (Bill tunity to create a holistic of particular apartments,
2017/18:110). In connec- approach to the future of streets, neighbourhoods and
tion with that, it was also cities for the first time in cities. But the policy also
decided that Sweden should, generations. A unique aspect aims to tackle segregation,
for the first time, appoint of the political agreement exclusion and other societal
a ’riksarkitekt’: a national is that it was made by three phenomena that are caused
architect. My job is to lead different ministries (environ- by both sociological and
on work within the field of ment, enterprise and culture) environmental factors. The
architecture nationally, to with different priorities, Policy for Designed Living
build up a structure that can who brought together their Environment is confirmation
support those planning and agendas to tackle the unique that architecture in Sweden
building in Sweden to create complexity of building sus- is, at its root, a question of or-
well-designed towns and cit- tainable cities. The resulting ganising our cities to be more
ies. The national architect is goals are all-encompassing democratic, more partici-
also the chair of the Council and ambitious and embrace patory and flexible enough
for Sustainable Cities, a the many issues that Sweden to adjust to a country that is
group that brings together (and most western countries) experiencing rapid change.
the directors of a unique mix are experiencing, in the It evinces a remarkable faith
of government authorities context of global megatrends in the power of architecture
whose work is affected by like migration, urbanisation and design, but also the
questions of design and and rapid technological understanding that positive
environmental sustainability. development. action in these areas requires
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 25I hope that Sweden will soon provide compelling
evidence of what is possible when everyone works
together to improve people’s lives under a vision
of equal, beautiful cities.
2 6 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSa wide variety of fields to be of their shared environment”. social and environmental
engaged: planning, housing, The policy’s goal will be goals for short term gain.
culture and public art, the achieved by ensuring that:
environment, social services, If stating this responsibility
education, research, trans- - sustainability and quality clearly can be considered
port, trade, and accessibility are not made subservient a safety net to prevent bad
and consumer policy. All of to short-term financial decisions, the policy also
these, in one way or another, considerations; expresses the public sector’s
have a clear impact on – - knowledge in the fields of ar- responsibility to be exempla-
and are affected by – how chitecture and design is de- ry in its patronage of design.
buildings, facilities, products, veloped and disseminated; When the municipalities
services and systems are - the public sector acts as a and public agencies act as
designed. role model; clients, they have the re-
- aesthetic, artistic and cul- sponsibility to place design
The policy takes an integrat- tural assets are preserved quality at the top of their list
ed approach to cities while and developed; of priorities.
also providing a comprehen- - environments are designed
sive national architecture to be accessible for all; and The work of the Riksarkitekt
policy. The aim is to make the - cooperation and collabora- in this context is to repre-
very most of what architec- tion are developed both na- sent these high ambitions,
ture and design can bring to tionally and internationally. to embody the vision of the
the development of society, Swedish government to
for the benefit and enjoyment We have the ambition to in- create more sustainable,
of all. The new policy restates crease quality in every part equal cities, now and in the
the government’s belief that of urban development, from future. My own professional
the quality of the places we public artworks and the experience as a munici-
live and spend time in is vital public realm to the scale of pal architect and planner
for society and considers all the city and infrastructure. means that I know in detail
the decisions we make in ar- A wide variety of stakehold- the challenges that we face
chitecture and design as de- ers from every part of the bringing together this holistic
cisions that affect individuals’ economy and society have a vision. But there can be no
quality of life. Achieving the role in building Sweden’s cit- more compelling professional
broad ambition to maintain ies. But the policy describes challenge than to try to lead
and increase the quality or a very clear role for the a positive transformation of
our living environments will public sector as a leader in the standards in a nation’s
require awareness and clear this process. It says that the architecture and urbanism.
ambition on the part of all short-term search to deliver As the collaborations around
decision-makers. the large numbers of housing the policy take shape, it is
units that Sweden needs exciting and demanding to
The principal goal of the should not lead munici- maintain a clear vision of
new policy states that palities to compromise on what a good city is in the 21st
“Architecture and design will quality. Although different century. I hope that Sweden
help to create a sustainable, requirements must continu- will soon provide compelling
equitable and less segregated ally be balanced against one evidence of what is possi-
society with carefully de- another, the policy states ble when everyone works
signed living environments in clearly that it is the public together to improve people’s
which everyone is well placed sector that must refuse to lives under a vision of equal,
to influence the development compromise long-term beautiful cities.
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 27Pauline Engelberts Global Chief Operations Officer, ABN AMRO Clearing Bank N.V.
We should be focusing on our commonalities
or the synergies we can generate.
I believe in Europe Leaders and politicians in is worth it when we truly
Europe need to show author- believe in where we want to
I believe that we are strong- ity and integrity of vision. All go. We should explore and
er together by combining aspects of society need to feel understand differences,
the strengths and unique involved in those discussions. not fear them. We need to
qualities we have. I’m also a focus on understanding and
firm believer in an integrated Having a strong sense of na- changing behaviour, not try
Continent. I understand that tional identity is natural and to change opinions.
this may not be the most is part of a country’s DNA. It
popular opinion nowadays, actually brings the diversity
but from a business per- we need. We should not try to Overcoming threats
spective I believe Europe has negate it. At the same time,
given us a significant number countries can position them- Europe has always had
of advantages, pertaining to selves as strong Europeans, its foreign policy storms.
resourcing , collaboration with joint aspirations and Historically, Europe’s
and investments. I even want beliefs. strength has been in its
to suggest the increased use trading relationships and we
of a ‘Made in Europe’ banner; The problem we have today should play on our strengths
a sticker we can put on goods is that we are not, at present, as the global ‘bridge maker’
that we can all identify as looking for enough common between regions. We have
ours; a shared feeling of unity ground amongst different our distinct problems – an
that we can all understand. parts of society – whether aging population being just
We need to be proud of that be generational, eco- one of them – but we need to
Europe, and that starts with nomic or social. We should build our relationships and
strong grass‐roots support. be focusing on our com- our position in the world.
monalities or the synergies
It’s that bedrock, bottom‐ we can generate, not on our Technology is the way we can
up support that will drive differences. forge our future. We have
Europe’s future. People some of the strongest brands
must have confidence in the I believe grass roots support in the world and young
European vision and the en- will drive that change. It will entrepreneurs are driving the
during legacy of peace it has take time, effort, commit- start‐up culture we need for
brought to millions of people. ment and tenacity, but it the next big names to develop.
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 29Innovation thrives when it attracts
and encourages a diversity of ideas,
cultures and skill our diversity is an
incredible advantage.
3 0 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSInnovation thrives when it My own bank, ABN AMRO, Europe’s economic power
attracts and encourages a has a mission to ‘shape bank- can be stronger if it can
diversity of ideas, cultures ing for generations to come’ manage a pragmatic agenda;
and skills – we have no short- based on the ideals of sus- people want to see results.
age of that across Europe; tainability and sharing. Our Policymakers need to
our diversity is an incredible Clearing services are based harness the power of data
advantage. on transparent, safe and ef- and behavioural science to
ficient markets with the aim inform themselves of what
We need leadership that of ensuring sustainability of their citizens really want and
cultivates cooperation and business. We play a large role how they act. Companies can
collaboration. Leadership in the financial infrastruc- play a strong part in that re-
that recognises the quali- ture. We require a robust search by providing technol-
ties needed to make things Europe to facilitate invest- ogy, research and resources.
happen. We should frame ments, exchange ideas and
our wins as a benefit to all of develop resources to deliver And, besides diversity in
Europe, not just individual appropriate services to the general terms, we need to
countries. We also need to European markets. We are a harness the collective power
find a way of providing the global company with a strong of women, both in business
rewards to all countries too. European offering, with and in government. We need
After all, it is very rare to find offices based in Frankfurt, to encourage positive dia-
successful companies that London and Amsterdam. logue where women can take
don’t draw on the talents Our teams are comprised of part and influence decisions.
of individuals from across many different European na- We can’t be fully representa-
Europe – and indeed the tionals speaking a common tive of Europe if women don’t
world. business language. Our focus, take their place within it.
therefore, is on running an
Europe can initiate and ethical business and making We should all be proud
facilitate campaigns based sure we are as transparent as Europeans. We have much
on sustainability and tech- possible. It is those kinds of to look forward to. We need
nological advances. It is up to ideas that we need to see gov- to embrace the power and
individuals and companies ern a European framework: diversity of Europe; invite di-
to take advantage of the openness, transparency, and alogue on differing opinions;
opportunities that lie within ethics. look for collaboration and
that framework. commonalities. Don’t let the
We can use data to make established order stifle curi-
Corporates and data better decisions, whether that osity and affinity for change.
is diagnostic or prescriptive.
There is no doubt that corpo- We work a lot on interpreting We must look to the grass
rations have a role to play in data and making sense of it. roots to carry us forward.
the shaping of a new Europe. Without knowing what data is And let us be proud that for
In many ways, data is the telling you, it’s not much use. all who live here, we were all
new enabler. Just as we use ‘Made in Europe’, in some
it in business to inform our European policymakers can shape or form, and will
decisions, we can harness its supplement this by using continue to do so well into
power – for good – to inform behavioural science research the future.
the way it shapes Europe. to create insights rather than
assumptions.
The views and opinions explained in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of ABN AMRO Clearing Bank.
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 31Evelyne Gebhardt Vice-President, European Parliament
Women and girls are seizing
the opportunity to stand up for gender
rights and fight for an equal, inclusive,
diverse and democratic future.
How Do You Envisage is still a very awful reality. If we take a look at the last
Tomorrow’s Europe? It is striking, but despite nominations to key positions
these facts there has been a in EU banking and financial
On March 8, protestors all backlash against women’s entities, we see that, once
over the European Union rights throughout the EU in again, there were no female
took the streets to raise the last few years. Beside the candidates notwithstand-
awareness on gender-based salary gap, the glass ceiling ing the clear breach of the
inequality and violence. In and gender violence, in some principle of gender balance.
Madrid alone, more than European countries the far If a man becomes a father, it
350,000 people joined such right is leading an aggressive is presumed he is particularly
marches. In other European campaign against women’s responsible. If, on the other
cities, the number of dem- and LGTBIQ rights as well hand, a woman becomes a
onstrators reached similar as planning to repeal gender mother, the popular picture
levels. Women and girls are legislation. We cannot accept still remains that she will
seizing the opportunity to this. We have been fighting put her career in second
stand up for gender rights for equal rights for genera- place. This is tremendously
and fight for an equal, inclu- tions and we cannot allow disturbing.
sive, diverse and democratic our victories to be threatened
future. now. Nor can we sit back and We need measures like
accept the current status quotas for women running
Indeed, there are very good quo; these battles have been for office. At the European
reasons for women to claim hard fought, but there is still a level there are various things
their rights. There is not one long way to go. that we have to do. Ensuring
country in the world that has gender balance should be
achieved real gender equality. First, we have to increase the a general principle when
Thus, despite being increas- number of women in political appointing and renewing
ingly well qualified, women leadership positions. Parity official posts in all EU institu-
are still paid less than men between women and men tions. Political parties should
for comparable work. In addi- in politics is not only fair. It ensure gender-balanced
tion, they are underrepresent- is also necessary to ensure representation of candidates
ed in political decision-mak- that those who yield policies for the European Parliament
ing and, to make things truly represent half of the elections, for example, via
worse, gender-based violence population, that is, women. parity lists. Moreover, to
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 33With determination and persistence, we can
move closer to the objective of equality in the
distribution of power between men and women.
3 4 I C O L L E C T I O N O F E S S AY S BY GLOBAL W OM EN LEADERSensure gender balance in for unpaid care work between forward, for instance man-
the European College of men and women. Member datory trainings on sexual
Commissioners, Member States have to implement harassment.
States should designate at ambitious legislation in this
least two candidates of each respect. With determination and
gender to be considered by persistence, we can move
the elected President of the It is our mission to fight for closer to the objective of
Commission. a Europe that is free from equality in the distribution
violence against women. A of power between men and
We have to eliminate the study from the EU Agency of women. It is our mission as
gender pay gap as well as the Fundamental Rights shows progressive forces in Europe
gender pension gap. that one in three women to counter these profound
The so-called ‘equal pay day’ has experienced some form injustices and work hard
symbolises how far into the of physical and/or sexual on all levels to achieve real
year women must work to violence since the age of 15. social inclusion. Because that
earn the same as men. This Violence against women is the Europe I envisage. A
year it stands at 22 February has its origin in economic Europe that acts in the face
in Spain, 27 February in dependence vis-à-vis men. of injustices. A Europe that is
the EU overall, 18 March in This also contributes to social critical and that fights for its
Germany and 25 March in inequalities between men rights. Nothing is permanent;
France. But why is it that and women. Often, traditions we need to remain constantly
women’s work is under- and religious values are vigilant. Especially, when it
valued in such an unfair brought forward as a justi- comes to the achievement
manner? Very few people fication. While violence can of social rights. And, more
know the exact amount of take many forms, psycholog- concretely, with respect
money their colleagues earn, ical violence and harassment to gender equality, much
which explains how even the - as opposed to physical and remains to be done.
most blatant differences go sexual violence - are often
unnoticed. neglected.
Gender stereotypes play a In order to counter these
We have to
big role here. They start at
an early age and extend into
different forms of violence,
greater awareness of sexual
increase
adulthood. They lead to gen- harassment is key to leading the number
der segregation in education to concrete change. In
and in the labour market. France, anti-street har- of women
Women normally face a assment ('wolf-whistling')
more precarious working life legislation has now been in political
throughout their lives than
their male counterparts.
adopted. In Sweden, after the
latest reform, the definition
leadership
Women often do part-time
work and take up care
of rape no longer includes
the requirement of evidence
positions.
responsibilities. Families and of force or resistance. In
societies depend on this care the sphere of the European
work, yet for women it results Parliament, concrete actions
in lower earnings and fewer to counter harassment
career prospects. We need a and discrimination at the
fair balance of responsibility workplace have been put
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 35Arancha González Executive Director, International Trade Centre
Improving ties among the research
and business communities would
help bring innovations to market
more swiftly.
Europeans looking ahead to its corporate sector accounts change and open trade while
the rest of the 21st century for 26% of global business ensuring that most people
have cause both for concern R&D. The size of the single are equipped to share in
and optimism. In both geo- market, together with skilful the gains. And it is parts of
political and geo-economics commercial diplomacy, has Europe that top the global
terms, the re-emergence made the European Union league tables for legal, polit-
of great powers in Asia has a ‘regulatory superpower’ ical, and economic equality
diminished Europe’s relative whose rules, from compe- between men and women. To
standing in the world. The tition policy to the general be fair, Europe still has a way
security assumptions that data protection regulation, to go, but in relative terms
underpinned the past seven influence how companies it fares relatively well in the
decades of European inte- do business far beyond the world.
gration no longer seem so continent’s borders.
assured. Demographically, Yet for tomorrow’s Europe
Europe is ageing, with many Perhaps most importantly, to exert international clout
countries’ populations it is in Europe that we see and influence, it will have to
projected to start shrinking the furthest steps towards achieve economic growth
by 2050. In the defining demonstrating that prosper- that is strong, broadly shared
industry of our time – digital ity can be decoupled from across society, and envi-
technology – European firms carbon emissions. Though ronmentally sustainable.
underperform on the global much more remains to be Growth, however, is precisely
stage. done, decarbonised growth where Europe has underper-
is an essential part of a formed its peers in recent
At the same time, Europe is response to the climate crisis years. Health, education, and
well placed to benefit from that is both effective and pension systems have been
a more prosperous world. It politically sustainable. It is squeezed amid weak growth
remains one of the world’s European countries, particu- and the needs of a growing
biggest and richest econo- larly the Nordics, that have senior population. Gaps have
mies. The continent, though developed the social protec- widened between globally
home to only 7% of the global tion and active labour mar- connected and unconnected
population, accounts for ket systems that enable soci- segments of the economy,
over a fifth of the world’s eties to seize the productivity and between thriving cities
research and development; benefits of technological and struggling hinterlands.
TOM ORROW ’S EUROPE – I NCLUSI VE, I NNOVATI VE, I NTERCONNECTED I 37You can also read
