As we reflect on 2024, this year has been marked by global uncertainty, escalating crises, and mounting threats to liberal democracy, security, and prosperity. We are living in an era of permacrisis, a relentless state of instability affecting everything from economic conditions to environmental sustainability, rife with conflict and confrontation. Together, these challenges pose dire, existential risks to the EU and its member states.
Despite some positive steps from the EU, the issues we face are only growing more complex, not least given domestic and global political fragmentation. We are still caught in the grip of what we might call the "progress illusion" – the mistaken belief that incremental policy advancements, while valuable, are enough to meet the scale and urgency of today’s interwoven crises.
EUrope faces an array of threats: the continuing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, escalating conflicts in the Middle East, political fragmentation, accelerating climate change, rising populism, declining competitiveness, and the weakening of multilateralism. These crises are deeply interconnected, amplifying their collective impact. The situation is further compounded by the looming prospect of a Trump 2.0 administration in the United States, which is a further watershed moment for Europe, not least given its implications for Ukraine.
Yet, in the face of these challenges, despair is not an option. It is in times like these that resilience, solidarity, inclusivity and collective action matter the most, including cooperation in the framework of European integration. We must "look up," to confront these crises. We must tell the unvarnished truth’, objectively analysing the situation, framing the debate and defining and expanding the decision space.
Everybody must do what they can to contribute and maintain our prosperity, foster sustainability, safeguard security, and defend the virtues of liberal democracy. At the EPC, we remain steadfast in our commitment to these goals. We are dedicated to speaking truth to, and with, power and confronting the challenges of our time with creativity and determination.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our members, supporters, strategic partners, funders, Governing Board and Strategic Council members, academic fellows, as well as Senior Advisers. Your contributions and collaboration are invaluable. Together, we are fostering the cross-border dialogue and cooperation that are so essential in these turbulent times.
We also want to express our sincere appreciation to the entire EPC team. We are proud of what we have achieved in the last year, and together we will rise to the challenges of 2025. Your dedication and hard work drive our mission forward and ensure that EPC remains a critical and influential voice in these difficult times.
As we approach 2025, we stand ready to embrace new opportunities and confront potential obstacles. Thank you for standing with us. We wish you a joyous and restful holiday season and a New Year filled with decisive actions that safeguard the ability of the future generations of Europeans to uphold their well-being, interests and values.
Warmest wishes,
EPC's management team
