Bridging the Divide

By adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, world leaders pledged their commitment to a new approach to global development and well-being. It is based on the realisation that states are no longer the only drivers of development, and that other partners have to assume greater responsibility for sustainable
development, including financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and local communities. Only with the engagement of the whole of society will the 2030 Agenda produce transformative effects. The panel will discuss ways to challenge the current mindset and to create societies of co-creation and co-operation to build a future in
which everyone has the opportunity to flourish.

Diaspora’s Role of a Bridge in Contemporary International Relations

In recent years, the EU has been facing significant challenges, which have lifted the veil of its unity, revealing its internal fragmentation. Sometimes, the Union seems to be criss-crossed with divisive lines running from West to East, from the centre to the
periphery, and from North to South, making it seem like a variable-geometry Union. However, despite the reality of sometimes diverging interests which arise from different historical, demographic, geopolitical and economic backgrounds, interdependence remains a key underpinning element of the EUʼs daily reality. The key principle of managing our mutual dependence has been, or should be, solidarity, as proven from the outset of the integration process. In the light of shared and recently unprecedented challenges, European leaders have reconfirmed the need for unity between Member States; however, the approaches to finding solutions appear to differ. The EU panel will seek to discover what unites us, how we are bridging the existing gaps and divisions within the EU, and how we will ensure that we maintain our unity.

The EU enlargement process has always been a political process. Despite the technical benchmarks, monitoring missions, evaluations and progress reports, it took only one sentence from the President of the European Commission five years ago to
raise doubt and fear about belief in the enlargement policy and the Western Balkans.
After several years of uncertainty, it again took only one sentence from the same President to revive hope and enthusiasm in the region, which in the past was much more concerned about having a positive external appearance than internal reforms.
This hope was translated into concrete language with a new strategy on enlargement; new tasks have been divided among the countries of the region, and uncertainty has been replaced by actual dates for enlargement.But why will things be different this time? How will the lost years of slow progress be
replaced by the swift and successful transformation of a society ready to embrace the norms, standards and values of the EU? Are the political elites ready to embark on this road, which in the end might cost them their privileges and functions? Is civil
society ready to act as a watchdog and catalyst for changes?

Levels of trust in institutions vary across time and cultures. The 2018 Edelman TRUST BAROMETER, measuring trust across a number of institutions, sectors and geographies, reveals a world of seemingly stagnant distrust in business, government, NGOs and the media. However, trust in institutions is one of the most
critical elements of healthy societies, as it matters for their legitimacy, well-being and, ultimately, stability. This is particularly relevant in periods of economic, political and social instability, when credible institutions are actually mandated to absorb
shock waves. This participatory panel will seek to discuss the root causes of
people’s declining trust in well-established and alternative institutions and share experiences of how this challenge is addressed in various regions and at different levels. It will also explore alternative ways of regaining trust and enhancing public engagement with institutions to bridge the gap between people and institutions.