Program | The Future of Europe Summit

The 2008 Summit –
Economic sustainability: New Opportunities for Europe
Andorra, 27-28 November

If sustainability has now become a buzz word of the international agenda its full meaning - as well as what will be required to achieve it - are not necessarily clearly perceived among the public. The debate is still quite vivid in some sectors of the business, political and media European establishment on the kind of policies that will best allow Europe to turn the present challenges into opportunities for renewed progress and additional growth. The discussions in Andorra will provide a significant contribution to that crucial debate.

Pre-Summit Workshops, November 26th: Take advantage of your time in Andorra to add one of these advanced workshops to your agenda. These training session packages are all-inclusive and an excellent way to jump start your involvement in Summit debates about The Future of Europe. ›› learn more

Review the 2008 Summit Programme Schedule

On the Agenda

Sustainability: Europe’s global leadership opportunity
20% CO₂ by 2020: heavy blow for business or new opportunity?
The cutting edge of sustainability: Can we really count on new technologies?
Social safety nets 2020: Will there be enough money in the bank?
Wealth disparity in Europe: what future for the European model?
Meeting the challenge of increasing resource utilization efficiency
Thriving on graying: the growth opportunities of an ageing population
The sustainable corporation
Innovation as a key to sustainability
Will Europe’s labor markets allow it to meet the challenges of an innovative economy?
Sustainability: The new assets for global competitiveness

The sustainability imperative

Sustainability is today a key operating concept for corporations as well as for national economies. This has become a priority that every single corporate and national strategy must integrate - and a criteria through which policies and initiatives must be assessed.

However, even if there has been a lot of attention and focus on issues related to climate change, sustainability covers a much broader range of domains than just environmental sustainability. Beyond the way we manage natural resources and try to at least stop the trend of people-generated global warming, the need to address the impact of demographic changes - and to adjust our economic and social structures to it - is also as pressing a challenge as the one relating to the necessity of ensuring social stability in view of the social disruptions created by globalization and the technology revolutions, and the widening gap in wealth distribution.

The sustainability opportunity

Europe has taken a leadership position with its policies to address global warming, its commitment to sustainability; European corporations have achieved strong positions in various sectors related to alternative energies, energy conservation, environment, as well as in many sectors related to the "post modern economy". The wide acceptance and practice of the notion of corporate social responsibility in most European countries, as well as the existence of social systems are also factors which – associated with economic and business assets - can allow European economies and corporations to achieve leadership positions in many sectors and domains at the core of the sustainability imperative and to benefit from the new trends reshaping the global economic landscape.

The third edition of the Future of Europe Summit will focus on how European economies and corporations will be able to leverage these new challenges and turn them into new opportunities.

Building on success

The Future of Europe Summit was started in 2006 as an initiative from the government of Andorra to create an open platform for discussion on the key issues and challenges shaping the future of the continent, and to contribute to elaborating and promoting new approaches, perspectives and solutions aimed at making Europe more dynamic and competitive in the economic and social domains.

Building upon the success of the first two editions of the Summit, this year’s Summit further the discussion on some of the new trends and priorities that European corporations and economies must confront to secure the kind of sustainable growth that is required to maintain and increase present standards of living and social conditions.

2008 Programme Schedule

PROGRAMME for NOVEMBER 27th
8:00	Registration and refreshments
9:00	Welcome and Prime Minister’s opening remarks
9:10	The sustainability imperative: Europe’s global leadership opportunity How will the sustainability imperative impact the growth of emerging markets, the global economy and Europe’s competitiveness? With its policies to address global warming, its commitment to sustainability and its social systems, Europe is ideally positioned to assume a global leadership role. Will Europe rise to the challenge? What are companies, consumers and other stakeholders expecting from EU institutions and governments?
10:30	Networking break
11:00	Two parallel sessions: Sustainability, innovation and creativity: Where are Europe’s assets? Innovation leads to new products, new markets and new processes which contribute to the productivity and value of the economy Where are Europe’s innovative strengths? Which sectors are cutting-edge? How can innovation be supported and re-enforced in Europe? The sustainability of European financial markets: Post sub-prime What lessons can be drawn from the sub-prime crisis from a European perspective? How can financial integration help strengthen Europe’s resilience to turmoil in financial markets? Is a strong Euro sustainable in the medium to long-term? What impact for financial markets and exports?
12:30	Lunch: Keynote speaker
14:45	Two parallel sessions: The cutting edge of sustainability: Can we really count on new technologies? Innovation is the key to profitable sustainability – green, clean technology in Europe What percentage of our energy needs can be met by renewable energy? What kind of real impact will new technologies have in terms of reducing energy consumption? What are the potential pitfalls? Is the EU doing enough to boost R&D? What are the latest solar energy alternatives? What’s happening with wind power? What future for the electric car? Wealth disparity in Europe: What future for the middle class? Is the middle class under siege and what impact will this have on European competitiveness? How will stagnating incomes and rising food prices affect the European business, social and economic environment? What strategic options for business in an increasingly competitive global environment? What role for governments?
16:00	Networking Break
16:15	Thriving on graying: The new opportunities of an aging population Does the aging population threaten the economic and social balance of Europe or are there real opportunities to be found including new markets, products and a growing number of 65 + consumers with disposable income and time? How can Europe strike a sustainable balance in this new demographic equation? Are there lessons to be learned from the best performers in tackling these challenges? Who are the aging market entrepreneurs and which sectors stand to gain the most?
18:00	Keynote Speaker The “INNOVADORS'08” Prize Ceremony
19:15	Cocktail reception
20:30	Gala dinner – An Evening in Andorra

PROGRAMME for NOVEMBER 28th
8:30	Registration and refreshments
9:00	Welcome and Chairman’s opening remarks
9:10	The sustainable corporation: Win-win? What makes a company sustainable? Do social, environmental and governance factors positively influence financial performance? Does better management of these issues translate into a real advantage over competitors? How can mid-size enterprises compete?
10:30	Networking break
11:00	Two parallel sessions: Are Europe’s labour markets ready to meet the needs of an innovative economy? How can Europe optimize its productivity in a sustainable way? What role should corporations be playing to redress the skilled labour deficit in Europe? In particular, what options for European business in light of the global shortage of engineers? How can Europe move quickly to foster urgently needed new partnerships between the private sector, higher education and governments? How can EU countries increase the participation of women, migrants, youth and older workers? Is flexicurity working? 20% CO₂ by 2020: Heavy blow for business or new opportunity? How will European industry cope with the new restrictions on CO2 emissions proposed by the European Commission to fight climate change and promote renewable energy? Will heavy industry move out of Europe or will it spur European industry onto a more energy efficient path? Will European companies have a competitive advantage in the short to medium-term as a result of the potential side-effect of more investment in innovation and new emission-reducing technologies?
12:15	Sustainability: The new asset for global competitiveness? Is sustainability becoming one of the key contributors to competitiveness? How does a commitment to sustainability translate in terms of costs and comparative advantages? How should principles and commercial competence intersect? Can Europe consolidate and advance its position to become truly cutting-edge in this new era of sustainability-related competition? Who is winning this race?
13:30	Lunch: Keynote speaker
15:15	Closing remarks
15:30	Close of conference