The morning session will present the different challenges facing Europe today from the perspectives of foreign affairs, political science research, think tank advocacy and the business world – all seen in the context of the geopolitical shifts that are reshaping Europe’s future.
This session will help us understand the challenges Europe is facing in the light of a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Join former diplomat Friis Arne Petersen as he shares his insights from different regions of the world with geopolitical significance. How is Europe’s current development and future trajectory seen from within and outside Europe? And what is Europe’s place in the world in 2026?
Building on the opening session with Friis Arne Petersen, this fireside chat will shift the focus inward and explore how the EU understands its own challenges and resilience while still taking into account external circumstances and the broader geopolitical situation. The discussion will explore Europe’s capacity to respond to geopolitical pressure, technological disruption and global competition – drawing on Mario Draghi’s call to close the innovation gap and strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological base. Key questions will include:
What is the EU’s assessment of its strategic position, and what does European resilience mean in practice?
What are the implications for member states as Europe moves toward greater strategic autonomy?
How can businesses— particularly Danish ones – navigate this evolving landscape?
This session will connect Europe’s external pressures with its internal choices – and investigate Europe’s ability to shape its own future.
Panelists:
Option: Meet the Expert lunches
Having discussed sector-specific issues related to resilience in the parallel sessions, the afternoon session will present perspectives from across the resilience ecosystem: from researchers, companies, union representatives, business associations and policy-makers, who will engage with overarching ideas and specific actions required to strengthen Europe in the future.
This closing panel discussion will build on Francis Fukuyama’s keynote and bring together insights from the day’s parallel sessions to explore what resilience means for Europe today. With a forward-looking and solution-oriented focus, panelists will examine how Europe can strengthen its capacity to respond to global shifts, technological change and democratic challenges. Key questions will include include:
How do we build the capacity and impact needed for a resilient European future in an era of geopolitical uncertainty?
What does globalisation look like today — and what will it look like in the future? How will shifting global dynamics shape citizens, democracies and economic development?
How can different sectors best translate knowledge into impact and support the development of societal resilience?
This final session will synthesise insights from the day and identify actionable pathways to build a more resilient, innovative and democratic Europe.
Panelists:
At this evening event at ARoS Art Museum, you will have the chance to meet and network with other resilience specialists. Enjoy dining in a unique setting and join in on an interesting talk with Director General of DR Bjarne Corydon and Aarhus University professor Michael Bang Petersen on “Securing Democracy in an Uncertain World”. Read more.