Europe and Mobilities. PL Presidency Conference.

The International Conference will be held at the University of Warsaw from June 4th to 6th, 2025. Organized as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the conference will serve as a key platform for discussing the socio-economic transformations shaping Europe's future. The event will bring together leading academics, policymakers, and representatives from international and non-governmental organizations to engage in high-level discussions on Europe's most pressing challenges.

The conference will feature two expert keynote speeches and seven thematic sessions addressing crucial socio-economic and political developments in Europe. Discussions will explore the evolving migration patterns in Europe, the socio-economic implications of demographic transformations, enlargement policies of the EU and its possible future development, the democratic backsliding in Europe, the transition to sustainable energy, the socio-economic impact of the global digital transformation, and Europe's role in digital platforms and their influence on human and planetary well-being.

The conference will be complemented by a series of meetings presenting upcoming calls in the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration. A dedicated brokerage meeting, planned for June 6th, will provide support for applicants in developing strong, competitive research projects that address the challenges discussed during the conference.

The event is organized by the Centre of Excellence in Social Sciences and the Centre of Migration Research, with the support of the National Science Centre, the National Centre for Research and Development, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the organizers. Neither the European Union nor the organizers can be held responsible for them.

• How will international migration flows in Europe evolve in response to global and regional changes?

• What is the vision for future migration governance in the EU and its Member States?

• What are the economic consequences of population ageing and fertility decline in the EU?

• What policy responses can efficiently address the demographic challenges faced by the Member states?

• What are the key challenges and opportunities faced by the European Union in the context of its enlargement?

• How to strengthen societal resilience against democratic backsliding in Europe?

• How can Europe transition to a sustainable and just energy system, with a focus on Poland and CEE countries?

• How can the EU effectively compete with the US and China in the global technology race?

• How do regulations impact the digital economy, data protection, and Europe's ability to maintain technological independence?

• How is Europe implicated in digital infrastructure and its impact on human and planetary well-being?

Session I: Future of migration in Europe
Wednesday, 4 June 2025 | 13:00 - 14:30
The Future of Migration in Europe panel brings together experts from EU and UN agencies, national governments and civil society organisations to explore the evolving migration patterns in Europe, identify real (and imagined) challenges and discuss governance models.

Session II: Demographic change and demographic resilience
Wednesday, 4 June 2025 | 14:45 - 16:15
The panel will focus on the socio-economic implications of the ongoing demographic changes in the European Union and in the CEE region in particular. It will discuss population ageing and decline in the context of low fertility in Europe. It will also address the challenges that ageing and decline pose for European labour markets, social security systems, the competitiveness of European economies and for European societies in general. Finally, it will explore evidence-based policy responses to ensure the demographic resilience and sustainability of European welfare systems and labour markets.

Session III: Central and Eastern Europe in Transition: Demographic and Socio-Economic Implications for the EU
Wednesday, 4 June 2025 | 16:30 - 18:00
This session will examine the state of play of the EU's neighbourhood and enlargement policies and their possible future development in the context of the current political, economic and security situation in Europe and beyond. It aims to provide a useful platform for discussion, bridging the knowledge produced by academics, politicians, policy-makers, and civil society. There are currently nine recognised candidate countries, including the Western Balkans countries and Ukraine, while the European Neighbourhood Policy governs the EU's cooperation with six Eastern European states. The EU's ability to cooperate with its neighbourhood remains one of the key factors that makes it a successful and transformative international actor, while previous enlargements have been among the EU's most significant successes. Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine has shown that the EU's neighbourhood and enlargement policies can also serve as geopolitical and security tools, in addition to their modernisation and peace-building roles. This new role adds an important dimension to the ongoing debate on the EU's internal cohesion on the one hand, and on political transformation and socio-economic transitions in the EU's neighbourhood on the other.

Session IV: Democratic backsliding
Thursday, 5 June 2025 | 09:00 - 10:30
This panel will focus on the processes of democratic backsliding in Europe. It will seek to synthesise scientific knowledge on its sources, mechanisms, actors and consequences, with the aim of discussing the mechanisms that contribute to societal resilience against democratic backsliding. In particular, the panel will focus on the experiences of grassroots and civic solutions in CEE countries to promote transparency in politics, provide access to information and counter misinformation as practical solutions against democratic backsliding.

Session V: Green transformations
Thursday, 5 June 2025 | 10:45 - 12:15
This panel will focus on the challenges and opportunities of the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy system in Europe, particularly in Poland and Central and Eastern European countries. The session will explore the socio-economic implications of energy accessibility and the transition from fossil fuel industries to green jobs.

Session VI: EU in the age of technological revolutions
Thursday, 5 June 2025 | 13:15 - 14:45
This panel will focus on the key challenges and opportunities facing Europe in the context of global technological competition and digital transformation. We aim to explore the EU’s position in the technology race, its strategies for fostering innovation, and the broader socio-economic implications of technological change.

Session VII: European Research Area potential in the Social Sciences & Humanities
Thursday, 5 June 2025 | 15:00 - 16:30
The panel on digital transformation is part of the cross-European CHANSE (Collaboration of Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe) programme, which explores Europe's role in digital platforms and their impact on human and planetary well-being. Bringing together stakeholders from industry, government, academia, social services, and workers' unions, it examines concepts like universality, 'public good', equality, and sovereignty in digital infrastructure development. The discussion will highlight the lived experiences of those affected by algorithmic systems and platform economies. It will also address the complex roles of regulators, businesses, and other actors in shaping digital development.

Navigating opportunities and challenges: Early Career Researchers in transnational projects
Friday, 6 June 2025 | 10:00 - 11:30
Early Career Researchers involved in transnational projects embrace the opportunities of building their research networks and exploring diverse research environments, while also encountering challenges specific to their career stage. This session will delve into key issues including research topic selection, career trajectories, job security and access to funding. Through discussion and exchange of experiences, speakers will share their perspectives on both the challenges and opportunities shaping their academic careers, as well as the role of mentors, host institutions, and funding agencies.

Participants will gain invaluable insights and opportunities by attending this unique conference, which brings together diverse stakeholders to address critical socio-economic challenges. Here's what you can expect:

• Connect with an exceptional mix of policymakers from EU, national, and regional levels, alongside leading academic researchers and experts.

• Be part of an event where different voices and perspectives come together to explore the big socio-economic challenges facing Europe.

• Understand how different stakeholders can work together to strengthen governance mechanisms across EU institutions and member states.

• Contribute to and learn about initiatives that will enrich existing research, identify new collaborative opportunities, and discover innovative ways of thinking about complex European challenges.

• Participate in a dedicated brokerage event, designed to help you forge strategic partnerships, find potential collaborators, and explore new project opportunities.

• Whether you're a researcher, a policymaker, or simply care about Europe, this conference offers a unique chance to contribute to important conversations that shape our future.

The conference will be streamed live online. All interested participants are welcome to join the event remotely. To access the streaming, please register using the provided link: https://bit.ly/43PMiXD