FEPS Newsletter 13 Jan 2025 – ✊ Ready to take on the new year with us?

13/01/2025
Strong start to the year –

If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link

Happy New Year from FEPS team! We hope you enjoyed a restful winter break and are feeling energised for the year ahead. Our commitment in 2025 is to bring you fresh analysis and inspiring arguments helping the development of progressive policies even if we now live in an era of uncertainty and global transformation.

 

The evolving political landscape in Europe and the shocks of American politics have brought us into a new reality which is easily described as dystopian. This is no time for false optimism, but one for stock taking and perhaps discussing a new strategy. Social democrats need to reconnect with their core voting base but also a wider public which is open to join efforts for a society with more fairness, an economy with more innovation and an environment with more sustainability. In the face of adversity, we must stand firm in our progressive values and uphold the institutions needed for justice, peace and prosperity. 

 

FEPS remains steadfast in its mission and will actively contribute to the intellectual and political debates that these times demand.

Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule

Progressive Yearbook launch
 

📅  29 JANUARY 2025

📍 FEPS HQ

Progressive Yearbook launch

Join us at the launch of the  sixth edition of one of our most unique publications, the Progressive Yearbook. We will also reveal and interview FEPS Progressive Person of the Year.

 

With the mission of bringing forward analysis of the key political developments of the year, the Progressive Yearbook focuses on transversal European issues that have left a mark on 2024. It brings insightful future-looking analysis and symbolises FEPS’ readiness to put it into perspective. Find out more. 

>
Time to build a European digital ecosystem
 

📅  14 JANUARY 2025

📍 FEPS HQ (HYBRID)

Time to build a European digital ecosystem

Recommendations for the EU’s digital policy

How should Europeans react when Elon Musk uses X for his right-wing propaganda? What will be the impact of META’s policy change on fact checking which contradicts the EU’s legal requirements? With the changes on the other side of the Atlantic, Europe’s dependency on US firms to provide digital infrastructure is an urgent political issue.

 

We’ll discuss these implications at the launch of the latest📕policy study ‘Time to build a European ecosystem

 

The EU needs to resist the pressure of Big Tech firms and enforce the digital regulations passed to protect citizens and society. We must build capacity by investing in Digital Public Infrastructure and an industrial policy that will support European initiatives in digital transformation. Register to follow it live! 

>
11th Barbara Prammer Symposium
 

📅  17 JANUARY 2025

📍 VIENNA, AUSTRIA

11th Barbara Prammer Symposium

Money. Power. Equality. The benefits of gender budgeting

Where does funding go, who benefits, and how can budgets be made gender-inclusive? EU treaties, along with the Austrian constitution, provide a clear mandate. However, the journey from goals to implementation remains challenging. 

 

Together with experts from the EU, federal, and municipal levels, we will discuss the prerequisites for a feminist and gender-equitable fiscal and budgetary policy. Read more. 

>
Capital and wealth taxation in the EU
 

📅  4 FEBRUARY 2025

📍 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Capital and wealth taxation in the EU

Large multinational corporations and the ultra-wealthy find ways to avoid paying their fair share, leaving the heaviest tax burden on workers and the middle class. This dynamic worsens income and wealth inequality. It is time to rebalance the tax system to alleviate the strain on workers and the middle class, while ensuring corporations and the ultra-rich contribute fairly. Join us as we explore the path to reforming wealth and capital income taxation. Register now! 

>

Past events

See all past events

12 DEC – FEPS HQ

From posts to polls

Lessons from the 2024 European elections on strengthening young people’s engagement through effective social media strategies

 

During this event, we launched our 📕policy study “From posts to polls, which explores how political parties sought to engage young voters on Facebook and Instagram in Germany, Sweden, Hungary, and Poland before the elections. 

Lessons from the 2024 European Elections on strengthening young people’s engagement through effective social media strategies

It reveals that social media has become a primary source of political information for young people – an opportunity seized by the far right but not by social democrats, despite being among the most liked and least rejected by this demographic. This study also provides critical insights to counter extremist narratives.

 

📻 Also, tune in to the FEPS Talk episode ‘Right turns and Left leans: A new gender divide in young voters?’.

 
Podcast
Listen to the podcast 'Civil society wants a new EU social agenda'

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

Civil society wants a new EU social agenda

With Anne Van Lancker and László Andor

 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube

In this episode of FEPS Talks, Anne Van Lancker, President of SOLIDAR, discusses the EU’s evolving social agenda with FEPS Secretary General László Andor.

 

Civil society organisations united in SOLIDAR view the European Pillar of Social Rights as a game changer, inspiring further progress in social policy across the EU. While the past years have been marked by a ‘Golden Age’ of EU social policy initiatives, the focus must now shift to ensuring effective implementation.

 

With the recent establishment of a poverty reduction target, the upcoming anti-poverty strategy from the European Commission will be a vital tool. The recognition of housing as a European concern is also welcomed, with social NGOs eager to contribute to a collective effort to learn from best practices and develop an effective EU policy.

 

However, even more is needed, particularly in better coordinating economic and social policies, to ensure that the EU pursues an investment-oriented approach rather than returning to austerity.

Publications

China: Dangerous rival or cooperation partner?

How can EU-China relations develop in a changing world with geopolitical conflicts?

A book by Gerhard Stahl

 

This book is a valuable contribution to the development of a European strategy for China and a convincing plea for international cooperation to solve global problems like climate change and underdevelopment.

 

It explores China’s economic and political evolution through a factual lens, enriched by diverse perspectives from business, politics, and academia. The analysis delves into historical context, economic competition, and the causes and consequences of geopolitical tensions.

 

📰 Check out the article by Brussels Express on the book.

China: Dangerous rival or cooperation partner?
 
Read me
Progressive Post
Europe in 2025: from disquiet to ambition

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Europe in 2025: from disquiet to ambition

Article by Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President

 

The EU’s boat is fragile and navigating uncertain waters, but it remains our best chance of sailing the current high waves if we are bold and ambitious.

Read this week’s Progressive Page by FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues to learn how to strengthen the EU and make it capable of facing the challenges ahead. Read more.

Was this email forwarded to you?

Copyright © 2025 FEPS Europe, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you participated in one of FEPS’ events and/or have registered for FEPS’ newsletter.

If you wish not to receive FEPS’ communications anymore, please click here: unsubscribe now

 

Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Avenue des Arts, 46 – 1000 Bruxelles

+32 223 46 900 – info@feps-europe.eu

Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
13/12/2024

Romania’s far-right surge

Find all related Magazine
Magazine
  • cover book

    #Issue 26 Progressive Post

#Issue 26

Brace for impact
  • cover book

    #Issue 25 Progressive Post

#Issue 25

EU 2024: the unpredictable well-known
  • cover book

    Issue #24 Progressive Post

Issue #24

The future is social
Find all related publications
Publications
16/12/2024

Next Left country case studies

Exploring the state of Social Democracy in France, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Italy and Australia
13/12/2024

The great countdown

A guide on how to arrive prepared for the European elections 2029
12/12/2024

The Politics of Polycrisis

11/12/2024

From posts to polls

Understanding youth engagement in the 2024 European elections
Find all related news
News
03/12/2024

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues at the 2024 Understanding China Conference

03/12/2024

Joint statement by the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) 

15/11/2024

Ahead of G20, FEPS president at the T20 and C20 Summit 2024

07/11/2024

US election results

Reaction by FEPS Secretary General
Find all related in the media
In the media

Europa em 2025: da inquietação à ambição

by Público 31/12/2024
'Europe in 2025: from concern to ambition' Read this Público article by FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues to discover how to strengthen the EU and prepare it to tackle the challenges ahead.

China: Dangerous Rival or Cooperation Partner?

by Brussels Express 29/12/2024
Read the Brussels Express article on FEPS book 'China: Dangerous Rival or Cooperative Partner', which examines the evolving relationship between the EU and China

Hungary’s Transactions in the South Caucasus

by Caucasus Watch 28/12/2024
FEPS Secretary General László Andor talks to Caucasus Watch about Hungary's role in the South Caucasus

Study: EU needs a clear strategy for digital independence

by Europe.Table 09/12/2024
Read the coverage of our policy study 'Time to build a European digital ecosystem', in which experts call for the development of a European digital industrial policy.