Putting Europe

back on track

What European Future Leaders thinkThe results of a survey

conducted by ThinkYoung on European future leaders about whether the EU is getting back on track, how to drive a strong recovery, and what business is

right for the future.

With the support of

We lobby for young people

2

Contents

introduction.......................................................................3

! who are the respondents?........................................4

! What is the aim of the report?.................................4

main findings........................................................................5

the results:

! europe in recovery.......................................................6

! is the eu getting back on Track?.............................6!! driving a strong recovery.........................................7!! the financial crisis.......................................................8!! innovation &technology...........................................10

europe & business that’s right for the future.........11

! europe & climate change............................................11

! europe & the world......................................................12

! enlargement...................................................................14

Conclusion..........................................................................16

ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

3

Introduction

ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

The 8th European Business Summit (EBS)  takes place in Brussels on June 30th and July 1st 2010, bringing together business, government and opinion leaders from across Europe and the world to discuss what is needed to get Europe’s economy and businesses back on track.

To inform the debate and drive EBS’s agenda over the coming months, it has commissioned a survey of CEOs in Europe. The survey has been carried out jointly by EBS, FEB, Insead Business School and Accenture.

T h e E B S a n d T h i n k Y o u n g , a n independent think tank for and by young people, have decided to carry out the “European Future Leaders” survey involving a selected group of the most promising under 35 years old Europeans.

a m o n g s t o t h e r p u r p o s e s , T h e community of European Future Leaders has been founded to provide a group of respondents for this s u r v e y . i t i s a m u l t i -stakeholder  community of selected exceptional  young Europeans who are committed to being involved and taking leadership in the future. This r e p o r t p r o v i d e s c o n c r e t e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f r o m t h i s community aimed at EU political leaders, contributing to a more competitive and sustainable Union. Alongside the findings of the parent survey, the results of ThinkYoung’s research will invite comparison to identify what recommendations young people in Europe would like to supply decision makers with, and how these differ from those of current leaders.

4

Who are the respondents?

What is the aim of this report?

ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

The European Future Leaders are under 35 years of age and h a v e b e e n d r a w n f r o m o n e o f f o u r c a t e g o r i e s : entrepreneurs (owners/founders of companies), business men & women (professionals), politicians (elected representatives) or civil society members (journalists, employees of ngos and associations). All EU member states a r e r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e s a m p l e o f 2 5 9 s e l e c t e d respondents, as well as a number of non-EU countries. the sample exhibits satisfactory gender representation.

Nationalities represented: 41

42% women

58% men

average age: 25.6.

to extend the discussion about what is needed to get Europe’s economy and businesses back on track, and facilitate the interchange of ideas through the incorporation of the younger generation of business men and women, politicians, entrepreneurs and civil society members.

The objective is to be able to compare the views expressed by current leaders with those of future leaders, to establish if divergences exist and what they are, and ultimately to promote the voices of young people in the continuous building of the European Union.

5

Main Findings

the european future leaders recommend decision makers take the following actions:

ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

facilitate access to credit in setting up a business and

believe in young people: put your money where your mouth

is!

Reduce Bureaucracy, and focus on Education, Research

and Internet.

keep the focus on climate change and invest in renewable

and green energy sources.

Be less restrictive in migration in order to attract talents

from outside Europe; Make use of young expertise and skills. E

B

DC

ureacracy

redit

evelopment

ducation

6

ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

Europe in recovery: Is the EU Getting Back on Track?

“In the year 2020, the EU will be a

strong economy, recognized and

influential on the world stage.”

Do you agree?

Female as well as Eastern European

respondents tended to agree

to a larger extent than

other groups:

Female: 77%

Eastern European: 83%

67%

21%

12%

Distribution of answers:

Agree

disagree

neither agree nor disagree

THE RESULTS

7ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

according to the european future leaders

the three greatest barriers to the success of

Small and Medium enterprises in the EU are

1. Bureaucracy

2. Lack of access to credit

3. Taxation level

“It is clear that since September 2008 we have

been facing the most difficult situation since the Second World War - perhaps even since the

First WorldWar. We have

experienced - and are experiencing - truly

dramatic times.”European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, 15th may 2010,

Der Spiegel

Driving a strong recovery

2%

60%

10%

9%

7%

8%4%

AfricaAsia/Pacific North AmericaEuropean UnionEuropean countries outside the EUCentral & South America & CaribbeanMiddle East

young entrepreneurs

and Business leaders are

more optimistic for 2020 but

less convinced that the crisis is

resolved

Which region or group of countries is going to emerge the strongest from the recession?

8ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

It is widely accepted that the recession had its origins in the financial markets. The majority of European future leaders think that the problems in our financial institutions and markets have

not yet been sufficiently resolved.

the financial crisis

distribution of answers:

Unresolved

Somewhat resolved

completely resolved

59%40%

1%

the European future leaders claim that the EU needs to do

things differently. They prioritized among

actions the EU should take:

1 Ensuring access to secure energy

resources at a fair price

2 Innovating to bring other (non-

knowledge) new businesses and

services to the eu

3 Building relationships with

the emerging economies to grow

our markets and reduce costs

Long run

1 Innovating to grow industries that create, use and

trade knowledge (knowledge-

economy)

2 Getting the right balance between

regulation and liberalization of our

financial markets

3 Up-skilling and re-skilling our

workforce: education, education, education

Short run

of lowest priority

1 Restoring consumer confidence

2 Concentrating on EU-US relations

3 Decreasing labour market

costs

9

ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

actions by non-eu countries that can serve as

inspiration to drive recovery:

USA: “Getting the right balance

between regulation and

liberalization of the financial

markets” / male, entrepreneur,

albanian, age 34

USA: “Financing young

entrepreneurship”/ Female,

Entrepreneur, Italian, Age 25

India: “Investing in technology and bringing foreign

investment to their IT capital” /

Male, Entrepreneur,

Portuguese, Age 24

China: “investing in research” / Female,

Politician, German, Age 24

China: “Loosening credit

restrictions, cutting taxes and massive spending

on infrastructure” /

Male, Entrepreneur,

Bulgarian, age 21

Brazil: “Supporting local small and medium enerprises and local production” / Female, Civil society, Italian, age 33

10ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

respondents mentioned an

insufficient access to talent and the

INability to attract and keep such talent,

and the lack of flexibility in labour markets as barriers

to success.

european future leaders consider the

lack of innovation from business a problem which

prevents companies in the EU from using the

internet and new mobile technology to their full potential.

How can the EU position itself as leading-edge when it comes to innovation?

• the solution lies in increasing the presence of r&d clusters, which would lead to increased l e a d i n g - e d g e e x p e r t i s e a n d s p e c i a l i z e d knowledge.

• this can only be reached by formulating a common european vision and a strategy for innovation.

• what is needed is one european leadership: not different national ones.

Innovation & technology

11ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

europe & Business that's Right for the Future

To reach world per

capita average

of CO2

emissions, China would

need to reduce

its emissions

by 4.8%, the

United States by 76.8% and

the European Union by

45.5%.

93% think that

climate change is

an important area for the EU to focus on

2/3 of european future leaders

suggest building capacity using

renewable sources and focusing on measures to

reduce energy consumption to

conserve supplies.

The EU is seen as a world leader when it comes to tackling climate

change and promoting a low carbon economy. The european future

leaders agree that it is important for the EU to maintain this position.

What, then, should be done to ensure a secure, fairly priced

energy supply in the EU over the next ten years?

europe & climate change

keep the European

leadership in climate

change

12ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

opportunity to build a new, multipolar international

system 44%

According to most analysis of current global trends, the world is undergoing a

progressive shift of power, with the relative weakening of the US and the EU and

the emergence of other actors such as China, India and Brazil.

a large majority view this phenomenon as an opportunity to build a new international system,

whilst only a small number consider it a potential threat for

employment and well-being in europe.

78%see  opportunity

opportunity to build a new more stable global economic

system 34%

potential threat for employment and well- being in

Europe in thefuture 11%

potential threat for world economic stability 5%

normal historical process that will not have major

consequences on the current international

system 5%

europe & the world

13ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

Migration is a...migration

flows addressing the

european continent are

viewed as a resource for the

european economy and an opportunity for

cultural exchange and

enrichment, rather than as a

threat to european identity

or employment possibilities for

native europeans.

84%see  opportunity  

&  resource

“I think what really needs to happen is a general mind change; it seems Europeans have become too full of themselves. This belief that we are better (Denmark still thinks it does not need the EU or the

outside world) and that there is no room for outsiders is what is dragging this region down”/ Female, Business, Danish, Age 23

...Resource for the European economy

...Opportunity for cultural exchange and enrichment

...Threat to European culture/identity

...Threat to employment possibilities for native Europeans

43%

39%

9%

9%

14ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

39%

27%

18%

17%

The EU enlarged to the right extent but at a wrong time/speed

the EU enlarged to the right extent and at the right time/speed

the EU has not enlarged enough and should do so in the near future

the EU has enlarged too much

in 2004, the EU enlarged from 15 to 25 member states, and further in 2007 to make 27. The european future leaders

are very divided on the question of the pace and extent of eu enlargement:

Enlargement

15ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

Northern Europeans

were more likely than the average to say that the EU has not enlarged enough and should do so

in the near future...

Western Europeans

were more likely than the average to say that

there has been too much enlargement...

Southern Europeans

were more likely than the average to say that the EU has enlarged to the right extent but at

the wrong time/speed...

Eastern Europeans

were a lot less likely than the average

respondent to say that the EU has enlarged too

much...

16ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

despite certain shortcomings, the e u r o p e a n f u t u r e l e a d e r s v i e w democracy in europe today as rather strong. They identify that the success of the european economy depends on everyone - business, EU member states and EU institutions - working together towards a commonly identified goal.

to get europe back on track it is according to the respondents crucial that the EU speak with a single voice and act under a single leadership.

t h e E x c e s s i v e b u r e a u c r a c y s u r r o u n d i n g s m a l l a n d m e d i u m enterprises must be addressed so as to create opportunities for success.

In order to continue to be a pioneer in tackling climate change, the EU must invest in renewable and green energy sources.

It must also prioritize the building of a knowledge economy in which talent f r o m o u t s i d e e u r o p e c a n b e incorporated and utilized rather than seen as a threat.

Conclusion

17ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

Connect European institutions to the people, listen to their needs and act in their interest; connectivity, democratization, links, and transparency are keywords in order to realize a true touch between institutions and people. The world is changing rapidly from its basis and real persons feel real needs: they want to be able to propose and discuss solutions to related

problems.

democracy educationconnection sharing

vision

view

outward

entrepreneurshipunity development

identity

faster

green

transparency

innovation

sustain the change  

involvemententhusiasmlistening

connection    

energy

18ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

Maggy Peeters, Annelies Maes, Elie Naudts, Hans Van der Loo, Wytze Russchen, Bruno Lanvin, Raffaele Salvati, Arianna Whelan, Kade Leniqi, Lindita Komani, Brian Gjerstrup, Carolyn Rush, Antonia Sariyska, Valmir Mustafa, Cristiano Fibbi, Chiara De Caro and all the 259 European Future Leaders.

The team

Anne Schley

Maria Holmblad

Corinne Weis

Azzurra Giorgio

Kaltrina Lloncari

Simone Disegni

Andrea Gerosa

Stefano Benini

a Special Thanks to:

Stefano Cini

19ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

ThinkYoung   is   the   knowledge   partner   of   the  Junior  Enterprise  World  Conference  which   is  hosted  by   Bocconi   University   in   Milan,   from   22-­‐25   July  2010.   The   conference   brings   together   over   400  students   from   all   over   the   world   in   order   to  encourage   dialogue,   strengthen   global   ciOzenship  and  exchange  knowledge  about  entrepreneurship.www.jewc2010.com  

‘Advocacy   for   Young   People   of   Kosovo’   is   the   first  NGO   project  of   its   kind,  undertaking   real   acOons   to  bring   Kosovo   and   its   youth   closer   to   the   European  Union.  On  May  19th   2010  ThinkYoung  organized   a  conference   called   ‘The  Youth  as   Promoter  of   the  EU  IntegraOon   of   Kosovo’   in   PrishOna.   The   project   also  includes   an  essay   compeOOon,  a  5  month   internship  in   Brussels   and   a  documentary.  With   the  support  of  Friedrich   Ebert   SO`ung,   Soros   FoundaOon   and   the  Ministry  of  Youth,  Culture  and  Sport  of  Kosovo.

COMING SOON:

22-25 july

September

This survey was carried out with the participation of:

20ThinkYoung - What European Future Leaders think

What  do  young  Europeans  think?EducaOon  is  the  most  important  topic  young  Europeans  want  the  

European  Parliament  to  focus  on.(ThinkYoung  Survey  2009)

ThinkYoung   is  the  first   think  tank  made  by   young  people  for   young  people.   ThinkYoung‘s  main  acOviOes  are  conducOng  surveys  to  find  out  the  opinions  of  European  youth,  organizing  and  contribuOng  to  conferences  and  shooOng  documentary  films  about  young  people‘s  lives.Our  aim  is  to  make  Brussels  aware  of  what  young  people  think.  Our  vision  is  to  make  Europe  think  young.  

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Andrea  Gerosa  Chief  Thinker

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