The care for future generations should be a common cause across the globe, but our institutions lack the tools to systematically design future-proof policies. The European Union - and its 27 Member States - is no exception to the trend of neglecting the long-term. In today's decision-making, policymakers are not incentivised to think and act with the long-term in mind, and the rights of future generations are underrepresented. This is bad news for future generations, whose lives depend on careful, well-planned responses to existential risks, ranging from environmental collapse to new pandemics, to unregulated AI.
This seminar will offer a unique perspective to all those willing to expand their worldview and think about long-term, future-proofing solutions to the many complex issues we face. The goal is to stimulate discussion and generate concrete ideas - through a series of brainstorming, fishbowls and simulations - to integrate the interests of future generations into policymaking processes in both the EU and elsewhere. The end goal is to contribute to the foundations for both a research and advocacy agenda on long-term governance in the European Union and beyond.