What kind of Europe, fair to all current and future generations, are we striving for?
In the coming weeks, 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 Member States will come together to discuss what an intergenerationally fair European Union should look like and what actions can be taken to create a future in which all generations can thrive.
In a period of change and transition, the European Union aims to build on its shared history while looking ahead to a sustainable and inclusive future. To this end, we need to ensure that the decisions taken today do not harm future generations, and that there is increased solidarity and engagement between people of all different ages.
Against this background, participants are invited to reflect on the following issues:
- How can we bridge generational divides for the benefit of all by fostering a narrative of solidarity, mutual support and shared responsibility?
- How can we balance the needs and interests of all age groups, including those of future generations?
- How can we think long-term to build a fairer and more resilient society?
What we can expect from the Panel
The European Commission is eager to make the panel members fully fledged co-creators of the Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness.
All participants will discuss their views together as citizens belonging to different generations, drawing from their rich and diverse life experiences. They will look into visions for a fairer future for all, explore possible pathways to realise those visions, and discuss ideas and actions through which to achieve the greatest impact. Eventually, the citizens will be the first to review and respond to concrete policy proposals that policymakers, in collaboration with experts, are designing to promote a European Union that is fairer to all generations.
The outcome of the panel will be a list of recommendations that will feed into the Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness.
Timeline
The European Citizens’ Panel on Intergenerational Fairness will take place over three weekends between September and November 2025.
- 12-14 SeptemberSession 1 - Brussels
- Introduction to the "Intergenerational Fairness" topic.
- Exchange of first ideas participants find most promising for this exercise.
- 17-19 OctoberSession 2 - online
- Stocktake of Session 1 and development of ideas by theme and topic.
- First phase of developing recommendations.
- 14-16 NovemberClosing Session - Brussels
- Drawing conclusions of debates and recommendations to the European Commission.
- Explanation of next steps – impact on policymaking.
Intergenerational Fairness: What’s at stake?
Following international initiatives like the UN Pact for the Future, signed by global leaders on 22 September 2024, the Commission's 2024-2029 Political Guidelines state that in the wake of “unease in the society,” the European Union must ensure “that decisions taken today do not harm to future generations and that there is increased solidarity and engagement between people of different ages.”
The responsibility for this work has been given to Commissioner Glenn Micallef, who in his Mission Letter is asked to “prepare a Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness to map out how we can strengthen communication between generations and ensure that interests of present and future generations are respected throughout our policy and law making.”