Building a bridge between the European bubble and citizens via social leaders

1989 Generation Initiative
The 1989 Generation Initiative is an open policy network seeking to reinvigorate the European Project with the production of new policy proposals and innovative projects, arising out of universal public debate centred around Europe’s younger citizens - the ‘89ers.

The annual policy cycle for 2017 deals with the theme: Tackling Populism. Hope over FearPopulism has won its first symbolic victory last June, says Taman Mhoumadi. Brexit was utterly unexpected, with polls predicting a Remain vote share of 60% just the night before. Some voices described Brexit as a first step toward the dislocation of the European Union, and saw the British decision as an indicator of the crisis faced by the EU. Indeed, Poland and Hungary are governed by Eurosceptics, right-wing leaders are getting stronger across Europe and in France, Marine Le Pen’s Front National has reached an unprecedented score at the recent Presidential election.

To rebuild public support and thus survive, the EU should tackle issues that lie at the roots of populism. Through a series of citizen’s dialogues organised by the 1989 Generation Initiative, young Europeans have identified two main issues and their possible solutions. Indeed, the European Union is exposed to a strong identity crisis and, at the same time must deal with the spread of highly damaging information in the public debate. These weaknesses are effectively used by populists who capitalise on citizen’s concerns and anger to advance their own rhetoric.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Is Populism on the Run? http://www.europeansources.info/record/judy-asks-is-populism-on-the-run/

Website: 1989 Generation Initiative http://www.1989generationinitiative.org/home

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