Progressive Governance Summit 2022

This conference brought together cutting-edge intellectual thinking and impactful political actors for a renewal of the progressive governing philosophy and political agenda across the world. Since 1999, each Progressive Governance edition has had a different main focus. However, the underlying goal remains the same: to debate the current state of centre-left parties and movements as well as common paths forward.

More information on the event’s webpage!

The trying times we find ourselves in have confirmed the extent of our interdependence. Most recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was an attack on our shared democratic values. The repercussions of the Covid pandemic brought international networks to a near standstill and will further widen the gap between poor and rich in our societies and across the globe. And the climate crisis has persistently demonstrated its disregard for borders and ability to cause irreparable devastation. As this triple crisis unfolds, it is the most vulnerable who are being affected severely by the rising costs of living. As a result, political leaders have largely devoted their attention to addressing the ensuing domestic damage. Yet, there is a larger task at hand: facilitating fundamental reform that allows us to emerge from these crises stronger and prepared for future challenges.

A key to renewing the promise of progress and making it possible are partners and alliances. As we react to recent political and economic shocks, this year’s Progressive Governance focused on progressive alliances and on how leadership must shape a political era defined by cooperation, mutual trust and respect.

Progressive politics must work towards a paradigm shift that builds trust in democratic institutions, enables voices that are too often left out, and provides security to the most vulnerable in times of change while solidifying an economy that supports our planet and its people. Nothing short of a just transition will get us out of these crises or keep our societies from slipping back into them.

This edition of the Progressive Governance Summit took place in Berlin on 13 October 2022 and part of FEPS’ team took part in person.

More info about FEPS at the Progressive Governance Summit here:

• Panel Solidarity in Times of Crises: Alliances for a Social Europe, with the participation of FEPS Secretary General László Andor: “We must reinforce the social safety net. We need to be ready to support each other not only when the house is burning, it is not enough to discuss these topics when we are in trouble”. Read the full story on the Twitter thread.

• Panel Places that Matter: Empowering Regions in the Global Economy, chaired by FEPS President Maria Joâo Rodrigues. “People in some regions feel disempowered and have lots of resentment. During Covid, we prevented the worst, but with the war, energy crisis and inflation, we’re going further in the marginalization of groups in our society. How shall we deal with it?”, this is the question the FEPS President asked speakers, including Anneliese Dodds, Chair of the UK Labour Party. Watch the video and read the Twitter thread

• Panel The Future of Coalition Politics, chaired by FEPS Director for Research and Training, Ania Skrzypek: “We started from the mechanics of building coalitions, but we discussed much more, such as the need for integrity and how to build bridges, ending up agreeing on the fact that politics needs a lot of passion!” Watch the video and read the Twitter thread

Pictures of these panels and more can be found on this link