Current discourse paint Europe’s future in shades of decline and uncertainty.
Yet history teaches a different lesson: pessimism has never solved a crisis. It is only through optimism—serious, strategic optimism— the reality-checked belief that problems bend once we have a plan.
Europe has built world-class institutions, powered scientific revolutions, and led global innovation. It can lead again—but only if we recover the confidence to act, and the optimism to believe it’s still possible.
THIS IS WHERE EUROPE'S COMEBACK BEGINS
Read from Bahadir Sirin, President of the Global Policy Research Group:
Click here to download and have access to the document: "European Progress Conference: The case for European Optimism."
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
On September 26 in Brussels, the European Progress Conference will convene thinkers, builders, and leaders committed to Europe’s renewal through science, industry, the economy, and the institutions that support them.
The conference will help kickstart a much-needed new intellectual movement, one that puts optimism and progress back at the heart of the European project.
A movement that honours Europe’s successes, values, and identity, while embracing the transformative potential of science, technology, knowledge, and talent.
EUROPEAN DECISION-MAKERS
Those who influence European policy and institutional direction and who are eager to engage with the ideas that will shape Europe’s competitive position and mindset on the global stage.
INNOVATORS AND ENTREPRENEURS
Those building breakthrough solutions and actively contributing to the quest for European progress.
BRILLANT MINDS
Thinkers, researchers, writers, artists, and public intellectuals whose ideas help shape how we understand—and drive—progress.
EUROPEAN OPTIMISTS
Those who believe a better future for Europe is possible—and see progress toward it as a moral ambition.
UNLOCKING EUROPE'S NEXT ERA OF PROGRESS
The European Progress Conference is not another conference where everyone nods alongs to recycled talking points. In addition to a keynote, there will be 8 focused-sessions built around one core principle: Real progress happens when people with different perspectives disagree productively and focus on solutions to move forward, rather than getting stuck in the diagnosis phase. Each session is designed to challenges assumptions, spark authentic debate, and push past the comfortable consensus.
🧪 A New Science Policy for 21st Century
👫🏻 The European Talent Ecosystem
🤖 The Future of AI in Europe
🔋 A New European Tech Diplomacy
🌱 Can Europe Go Green and Still Grow?
📈 Removing Bottlenecks to European Startups
⚡The Path to Energy Abundance
🚀 Reviving European Culture of Ambition
🛡️ Upgrading the EU’s Institutional Capacity
💡 Breakthrough Innovation