Unlocking the Future

Wrapping up this series, this episode gathers Pascal Lamy (former Director-General of the WTO, former Commissioner for Trade under the Commission presidency of Romano Prodi, Head of Cabinet of Commission President Jacques Delors and currently Coordinator of the Jacques Delors Think Tank, in Paris, Berlin, Bruxelles), along with Anja Fortuna (Vice-President of the European Youth Forum), to help us explore the single market's past, why and how it was conceived initially, but also how it is seen today, notably by young people, indeed whether they take it for granted and whether its benefits still shine through, what obstacles or challenges it is facing today.With:Pascal Lamy, French, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Commissioner for Trade under the Commission presidency of Romano Prodi, Head of Cabinet of Commission President Jacques Delors and currently the Honorary President of the think tank Notre Europe.Anja Fortuna, Slovenian, Vice-President of the European Youth Forum See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, four experts explore the role of networking organisations – industry clusters, trade associations, SME and innovation hubs, and the Enterprise Europe Network – in helping Europe recover from the pandemic and bolster resilience.With:Mantas Villys, Director of the Lithuanian Innovation CentreRezső Kádár, Cluster Manager at Pro Wood, a regional wood cluster in RomaniaMatteo Carlo Borsani, Managing Director of the Confindustria Delegation to the EUFreya Lemcke, Head of Division Deutsches Industrie- und Hammelskammertag, Brussels See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Universities educate but also prepare young people for the job market through initiatives like hackathons, career and networking sessions, sponsorships and internship programmes. Drawing on real-life examples, the panel in this podcast episode shed some light on how universities can seize opportunities emerging from the green and digital transformation, to promote entrepreneurship and improve access to great job opportunities.With:Nicola Doppio, Innovation Officer at Hub InnovazioneKristina Dimova, Bachelor Student at Sofia University and Aspiring Journalist, winner of the SME Assembly 2021 Youth Essay CompetitionKoen De Bosschere, Founder & Academic coordinator of DO! Centre for Student Entrepreneurship at Ghent University See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Giving young people opportunities now is a vote of confidence. They will pay that back as skilled workers, cashed-up consumers and, eventually future leaders. But how can businesses fully engage them in this process? This is the question that the three guests of this episode are keen to answer, by reflecting on the mutual benefits of businesses and students coming together through youth panels.With:Peter Mogensen, CEO at Kraka in DenmarkGiulia Carpineti, IMF Youth Fellow 2021 programme See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Parts of the social economy supply sustainable goods and services and bridge the digital divide. Their participatory business models, which take into account the needs of citizens, employees and other stakeholders, help to ensure that the green and digital transition is fair. With this in mind, the guests of this episode share some success stories and best practices, bearing witness to a growing social economy.With:Ibrahim Ouassari, Founder of Molengeek, Belgium,Anna Rodon, representing Som EnergiaAlexandra Debaisieux, Delegated Director-General of RailcoopAlyssa Jade McDonald-Bärtl, Board Member of CGIAR System See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the face of supply shortages and severe disruptions caused by Covid-19, many European companies reinvented themselves in truly inspiring ways. That's why three company and industry representatives have been invited to share their stories, rich with examples of product diversification, digitalization, and transformed business models!With:Cesar Araujo, Owner of Calvelex, and president of the National Association of Clothing Manufactures of PortugalAriadna Prats Armengol, Sant Aniol Mineral Water in SpainPierre Diebolt, General Director at NUVISAN pharmaceuticals in France See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Facing disruption in strategic value chains, unstable geopolitical balance, and the ongoing health crisis, the EU has issued an updated industrial policy strategy in March 2021 to adapt to a COVID-19 world, and of course: many other actors around the globe are responding as well with new strategies to support their economic and industrial sectors. That is why, in this episode of the podcast series “Unlocking the Future”, the EU industrial policy correspondents based in the European Union Delegations in Beijing, Washington DC, London, Tokyo, and Singapore have been invited to shed light on how their host countries and regions are adapting their industrial policies.With:Frank Schmiedel, International Relations Officer, ChinaPhilippe de Taxis du Poet, Programme Manager, Co-manager of the EU-Japan Centre for industrial cooperation, JapanEike Klapper, Policy and International Relations Officer, USAJustyna Lawkniczak, DG GROW Counsellor, EU Delegation to the UKIsabella Pirolo, International Relations Officer, Singapore See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amid the Covid shadow, a light has been shone on a big question: Should Europe look ‘inward' and produce goods, especially medical supplies and strategic items, closer to home? This is the question that three experts will answer in this dynamic episode.With :Emma Nehrenheim, Chief Environmental Officer at Northvolt,Werner Raza, Director, OFSE, the Austrian Foundation for Development ResearchUlla Grove Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we face the urgency of the climate crisis, young people are at the forefront. They are increasingly paying attention to the environment and their health, and to social and ethical issues. That is why we invited two young entrepreneurs to tell us more about their projects, that focus on the transition to clean energy and sustainable food systems.With:Filip Koprčina, Founder of Energy Shift,Ingrid Hermet, CEO/Co-founder of NutriLoop and co-founder of PaikesEST See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, our two guests explore resilience and transformation - two power-words of today - in the context of the construction sector, as it deals with market fluctuations, environmental concerns and digitalisation.With:Coline Lavorel, ZOE Institute for Future-Fit EconomiesFernando Sigchos Jiménez, Secretary General, European Builders Confederation See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Young people are keen to take control of their lives and engage with and support others. Yet in the current context many face uncertainties about their future, as a result of technological change, demographic trends, discrimination, social exclusion, fake news and populism with yet unknown effects on jobs, skills or the way our democracies work. With the current COVID context, more than ever, they need to be resilient and able to adapt to these challenges. Still many are able to turn these challenges into opportunities, for them and for others. They represent new, fresh thinking, and new way to do things: create business, bring added value to the society and to the planet. The last episode of the series puts young people in the driver's seat. Meet some inspiring young Europeans who show what it means to be the next EU generation. With: Flavio Proietti Pantosti, Project OFFICINE ITALIADeborah Somorin, Empower the FamilyJean Guo, Cofounder of KonexioLucie Basch, Co-founder and Chief Expansion Officer of Too Good To Go See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Going outside the EU borders, is for many European companies, including SMEs, a challenge but also an exciting opportunity in terms of accessing markets, increasing business competitiveness, finding new business partnerships, boosting innovation and technological added value, creating new jobs. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak has profoundly impacted global value chains putting at test international trade. Would you like to learn how to go beyond the EU with your business? This episode will shed light specific instruments set up by the EU to help businesses use the opportunities offered by the Asian markets.With: Philippe de Taxis du Poët, Managing Director of the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial CooperationMarta Sanna, Administrator and Managing Director of SmartimportRenzo Isler, Head of the EU SME Centre in BeijingNele Cornelis, Executive Director of EuroCham SingaporeChris Humphrey, Executive Director EU-ASEAN Business Council See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2050, two thirds of the world population will live in towns, consuming over 70% of energy and emitting just as much greenhouse gases. As city populations grow, the demand for services but also pressure on resources will increase. This episode focuses on green, digital and intelligent cities that have integrated in their DNA the need for change. It will highlight how forward-looking cities help their citizens and businesses to thrive. With: Pekka Timonen, Mayor of Lahti (European Green Capital of 2021)Leonie van den Beuken, Program Director, Amsterdam Smart CityMohamed Ridouani, Mayor of Leuven (European Capital of Innovation 2020, Intelligent Cities Challenge)Sébastien Viano, Director of European Affairs, Euro-Mediterranean Relations and External Funding for the Metropolis Nice Côte d'Azur and the City of Nice See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One of the things that makes Europeans proud, is our social market economy. In this context, social innovators provide answers on how to reconcile the green and digital transition with social considerations and economic growth. In this episode we will show you how to become competitive, by fostering sustainable behaviours and new business models. Building on stories of the leading European social innovators, the episode will discuss sustainable fashion with 3 inspiring entrepreneurs. With: Cédric Vanhoeck & Rawaa Ammar, Winner with the “resortecs” projectGala Marija Vrbanic, Winner with the “Snake” projectMonica Moisin, Winner with the “WhyweCraft” projectLiz Vossen, Programme Manager of Nesta Challenges See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The full picture of Europe's economy post-COVID is still unknown but one thing is certain – recovering from the crisis while building a competitive industry will hinge on the quality of our workforce. In the next five years alone, 120 million Europeans will have to upskill or reskill to meet the challenges of the fast-moving digital and greed decade. This episode will discuss the need to close down the skills gap in the EU and ensure workers, companies and the next EU generation can embrace the decade to come by being ahead of the skills curve. With: Luc Triangle, General Secretary of IndustriAll European Trade UnionArja Kraunchenberg, President of the Lifelong Learning PlatformKatarina Borstedt, Director of Growth, Northvolt See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode will discuss the importance of cooperation – either via industrial alliances or clusters. Both help Europe meet policy goals, while helping involved companies master the digital and green transitions, and build global competitive advantage. But what is the reality of such cooperation? And how it creates real opportunities for participating businesses? Tune in to learn more. With: Antonio Novo Guerrero, President of the European Cluster AllianceBianca Dragomir, CEO of Cleantech Cluster Valencia RegionWillem Huisman, Senior Representative of CeficVirginia Janssens, Managing Director of PlasticsEurope See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Established industries are as important for EU industry, as the new kids on the block. The construction, renovation and building industries are a very good example of what it takes to face the industrial and social challenges, and turn them into opportunities. To deliver on Europe's recent Renovation Wave initiative, big efforts are needed to renovate and seriously limit the carbon foot-print of the existing buildings. On the other hand, green should also be affordable. This episode will discuss the increasingly environmentally and socially sustainable building environment across Europe, putting particular focus on business opportunities of such ambitions. With: Domenico Campogrande, Director General of European Construction Industry FederationSorcha Edwards, Secretary General of Housing EuropeElma Durmisevic, UIA expert See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Green technologies will be a key element to make the EU's growth compatible with its ambitious climate targets. The development and integration of these technologies across industry will allow Europe to become a trailblazer in the green transition around the world, while ensuring our green commitments go hand in hand with our competitiveness. This episode will discuss the case of few specific and important sectors (chemicals, Energy Intensive Industries) and specific green technologies that can help to decarbonise them. With: Norbert Patouillard, Marketing & Sales Director, EcoXtractJennifer Holmgren, Chief Executive Officer, LanzaTech, EuropeFabrice Rivet, Technical Director of FEVE – European Container Glass FederationRobert Gnann, President of WACKER SiliconesWim Michiels, CEO of Proviron See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Advanced technologies will be the seedbed for the EU's productivity, competitiveness and economic growth. A key factor of success will be the implementation of top of the edge technologies in day-to-day industry practices. This episode will focus on the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and how can SMEs translate it into actionable, operational business opportunities. With: Philipp Slusallek, Director of Strategy, Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe (clAIre)Aleksandra Przegalińska, Professor of AI and Vice-Rector of Kozminski University, PolandSimo Sorsakivi, CEO & Founder of Inscripta See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This official EU Industry Days podcast series lays out the opportunities arising from the post-COVID reality and industrial transformation. By inviting industry insiders, we give you a unique opportunity to understand the latest economic and technological trends, challenges but mostly opportunities for European companies. With its Industrial Strategy, the EU builds a business-case for its industry to lead the way in the twin green and digital transitions. Curious to hear examples? Tune in to our series. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.