A public sphere is not only created and stimulated through media or marketplaces – but also art and culture. Since they play such an important role in Europe and for connecting people, Das Progressive Zentrum felt like it was important to give them both a role at this Summit.

Over 100 participants discussed and debated future visions for Europe during the Daring New Spaces Summit on the European public sphere on 10 December. In keynotes and debates, and listening to pitches and poetry, the participants envisioned what Europe and its public sphere could and should look like in 2025. The event culminated with two project fellows interviewing Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth (DE) and Tiago Antunes (PT), Secretary of State Assistant to the Prime-Minister.

Individual countries will not be able to successfully address society’s current challenges. Only a solidarity-based and networked Europe can rise to the occasion. For this, we need new spaces and methods of collaboration to strengthen the European public sphere. Join us on 10 December, 2:00 – 5:00 pm CET as participants from around Europe come together to debate and discuss the Europe of tomorrow.

With these surveys, the University of Konstanz and Das Progressive Zentrum are contributing to a better understanding of the social and political consequences of the Corona crisis. In the studies, the researchers analyze the topics of solidarity with European neighbors, working from home, trust in politics, crisis management and the health care system.

The book “Creeping into Power” examines how the New Right instrumentalises history to gain the power to interpret our future. The book will be published in German in July. It is not only an analysis but a call to counter the misuse of history.

In our workshop on data rights policymakers, activists, and citizen engagement groups came together to discuss their personal thoughts and feelings on data rights and data ownership. Understanding and dealing with the challenges around data rights calls for a comprehensive social perspective on data. One of the main findings was that new regulatory frameworks need to be evolved in order to implement the requests for more agency over how data about us is used and more insight into how automated decisions are made about us.

We’re proud and excited to start our project of a pan-European platform for civil society and Civic-Tech with our partners. Learn more about the EHCE, the ideas and organisations behind it, and the events that are planned.

We look back: at the Progressive Governance Symposium 2019, Europe Listens and other exciting projects – and into the future: with new team members, new fellows and new impulses for our liberal and social democracy. And all that in a new creative design!

Executive Director Dominic Schwickert reflects on the months leading up to the European elections and on reorganising the team. An editorial for the upcoming newsletter 1/2019.

In May 2019, Hungary celebrated 15 years of EU membership. However, the European Parliament believes that Hungary is in breach of EU values, thereby posing a threat to the existence of the union. The fundamental restructuring of the political system initiated by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party has had a tangible impact on the functioning of Hungarian democracy, raising concerns and criticism. How will this conflict develop – both with regard to Hungary as an EU member state and with regard to the future of the EU?

In May 2019, Hungary celebrated 15 years of EU membership. However, the European Parliament believes that Hungary is in breach of EU values, thereby posing a threat to the existence of the union. The fundamental restructuring of the political system initiated by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party has had a tangible impact on the functioning of Hungarian democracy, raising concerns and criticism. How will this conflict develop – both with regard to Hungary as an EU member state and with regard to the future of the EU?

Three French-German think tanks, namely Das Progressive Zentrum, EuropaNova and Renaissance Numérique, join forces for the first time to reflect upon the EU digital technologies strategy. The third conference of the “EU Digital Challenges” series will take place in Paris on 10 April 2019.

Artificial intelligence is widely considered “one of the most strategic technologies of the 21st century”. Will Europe prove able to compete in this global race? Genuine ambitions are out there: The European Commission has officially declared it a high priority.

Artificial intelligence is widely considered “one of the most strategic technologies of the 21st century”. Will Europe prove able to compete in this global race? Genuine ambitions are out there: The European Commission has officially declared it a high priority.

Das Progressive Zentrum has scouted innovative projects by politicians in Germany. A European jury has nominated nine of those for the finals. The price will be awarded in Vienna on 17 November. Even though all nominees follow different approaches, they are united by one theme.

Why are more and more Europeans supporting populists? The significant gains made by these parties in Germany, Italy and Sweden underline the urgency of understanding the causes and appeal of populism. To uncover those, the study “Return to the politically abandoned: Conversations in right-wing populist strongholds in Germany and France” has applied a groundbreaking approach.

Three French-German think tanks join forces for the first time to reflect upon the EU digital technologies strategy. The first conference of the series “EU Digital Challenges” will take place in Paris on July 11, 2018.

For the first time, three French-German think tanks join forces to reflect upon the EU digital technologies strategy: Renaissance Numérique, EuropaNova, and Das Progressive Zentrum. As a concrete realization of this partnership, the think tanks are launching a common series of conferences in both France and Germany: “EU Digital Challenges”.

Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy recommendations on sustainable growth in Europe.

Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy recommendations on social cohesion in Europe.