EuroPhilantopics 2015 - Trust Matters

Europe is facing one of its greatest political challenges in decades. The daily newsfeed of yet another tragedy on the shores of Europe and the increasing number of migrants are bending the EU’s decision-making framework to the breaking point. The tone is being set now for the future shape of European politics, which is likely to change dramatically in the next 20 years.

At the heart of this crisis is the inability to place and receive trust between states, state and citizen, and people and communities, built up over many years. It is calling into question the values and aspirations of the European project. The current migrant crisis brings all of this into sharp relief: The opinions of citizens are polarised, the competence and ability of governments to meet and to balance urgent and ongoing needs is under question, and the EU’s policies and capacity to act are being tested.

EuroPhilantopics challenges us to recognise that we are in a period of rapid and persistent exponential change. Can we improve trustworthiness and the capability of institutions and communities to be more resilient, to be more prepared and to adapt in Europe? EuroPhilantopics pushes us to think outside of the box; it seeks to push the boundaries of our imagination towards a new narrative underpinned by trust.