Subscribe for free updates

* indicates required
  

 

Useful documents

Between now and 2040, Europe and the world will undergo profound geopolitical, economic, technological and social change. We have pulled together a useful repository of documents. Below are a few examples of the documents available.

September 2024

Main elements of Draghi competitiveness report
Reuters

Reuters summarises the main recommendations by the former European Central Bank president, who had been commissioned to look at ways that the European Union could boost the competitiveness of its economy. This article and other useful documents are available here.

April 2024

This report calls for ambitious reform of the Foreign Office and wider government machinery to safeguard future UK prosperity and security. Following a series of in-depth roundtable discussions, the report sets out a series of measures to renew and reform the UK foreign affairs function. The report and other useful documents are available here.

April 2024

The Digital World towards 2040
This report seeks not to predict but to provoke thought. It offers a panoramic view of AI’s potential impact on our world through the lenses of technology, economy and society. The report’s author, Ajit Jaokar has engaged with keen thinkers about what AI would mean for Europe. Their insights have given fresh perspectives, all showing that AI will be a red thread through many new European policies over the next five years. The report and other useful documents are available here.

The Ideas Network 2030 was launched in September 2018 with the mission to provide an informal framework for individuals of the centre-right of British politics – along with other stakeholders interested in long-term trends and their effects on our economy, politics and society – to meet, discuss, evaluate and assess their relevance and importance to current politics in the United Kingdom. The Network is working with local, national and European stakeholders across politics, business, academia and society to drive change and nurture ideas.

To read more about the activities of the Ideas Network 2030 click here >.

Recent events

Speakers:
Greg Hands, former UK Trade Minister
Penny Naas, Lead, GMF Allied Strategic Competitiveness, German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF)
Moderator: Alex Boyd

Trump’s sweeping new tariffs may mark a historic turning point for global trade. Are we witnessing a temporary shift, or has the world crossed a rubicon, entering a new era of protectionism, economic nationalism, and geopolitical fragmentation? With rising inequality, fiscal pressures, and deepening questions about who truly benefits from globalisation, the trading system that defined the late 20th and early 21st centuries is under unprecedented strain.

This online seminar, featured former UK Trade Minister Greg Hands and Penny Naas from the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and explored whether we are seeing the start of a long-term retreat from global economic integration and what that could mean for the UK, Europe, and the world.

Speakers:
Ajit Jaokar, Oxford University
Simon Staffell, Microsoft
Moderator: Frank Nigriello

One year after the publication of Digital World Towards 2040 in April 2024 and its UK launch at our IN2030 event, this session will focus on the short-term consequences of the AI revolution, given the extremely rapid and accelerating pace of change. While 2040 remains a critical milestone, the sheer pace of technological change makes long-term forecasting increasingly difficult. The discussion will explore what we can expect with greater certainty in the near term, particularly the impact of AI and AGI on economies, governance, and society.

Speaker: David McAllister MEP
Comments: James Rogers, Council on Geostrategy
Moderator: Felix Dane

As we look ahead, the global order is undergoing a significant transformation. The unipolar world of the past is giving way to a more fragmented geopolitical landscape, where no single power holds dominance. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia underscores the reality that not all major players adhere to a multilateral, rules-based order, with the conflict’s outcome and long-term impact still uncertain. Instability appears to be a persistent feature of the coming decades. This will be compounded by the unpredictability of the US Administration. How will the US develop its foreign policy given the aims already set out by incoming President Trump? How will the EU address putting its own house in order? And will China’s continued rise in economic and diplomatic influence see it align with other authoritarian states, such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran, to challenge democratic governance and existing international frameworks?

Our 2025 and 2026 outlook

As we look ahead, there is a widespread recognition that we are entering a period of a new geopolitical order with the transition from a unipolar world to one where no single power predominates. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has shown that not all major powers adhere to a multilateral rules-based order and the duration and outcome of this conflict remain uncertain.

Instability looks set to be a durable phenomenon. As China continues to grow in economic and diplomatic strength, it is increasingly cooperating with other authoritarian countries to undermine democratic governance and challenge existing norms and frameworks. An axis involving Russia, China, North Korea and Iran is becoming increasingly apparent.

Last year was one of transition with over 50 elections being held across the world. In most cases in the developed world, election results provided a stronger showing of populist parties, not least in the US with a sweeping victory for former President Trump. Elections to the European Parliament provided a greater presence of right-wing parties but strong support from the EPP ensured President Von der Leyen was re-elected as European Commission President. In the UK, however, the Labour Party won by a landslide.

Going forward, our events will be focussed, where possible, on long term trends to 2030 and beyond, identifying possible areas for action both in the UK and in Europe. In some areas, such as climate change and demographics, long term trends are already evident while in other areas such as the digital transformation and economics and trade, future developments are less easy to identify. Our economic survival and vitality will depend on flexibility and adaptability in the light of events.

Preparations are already underway for the Summer University 2026 which will become the focal point of our activities. The title of this occasion is “Shaping our future towards 2040”. To assist Network coherence, we are ensuring that all events during 2025 will serve as preparation for this occasion bringing together network partners in 2026.

We eagerly anticipate your participation in our programme this year as we continue to investigate what these developments mean for our politics, economy, and society up to the year 2030 and beyond.