In this age of accelerated transformations, we have been witnessing how fragile our democracies, our societies and our planet can be. 

I started my presidency in April 2018, thinking that we needed to rediscover the humanist spirit of the Renaissance to speed our journey on the path to a sustainable Europe. On the back of Brexit and ahead of the European elections, I knew civil society had a vital role to play in moving the economy towards more sustainable and smarter models.

At the end of my term of office this month, I am in a position to say that Europe has once again shown its resilience. Nationalists and Eurosceptics were defeated in the EU elections and the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt an indisputable blow to their fake narrative. The EU has taken unprecedented measures and in a few months has smashed taboos that seemed to be set in stone, protecting our citizens and communities and investing in a strong strategy for the future with the broadest consensus ever.

Today, I am more and more convinced that the three priorities of my presidency – sustainable development, peace and culture – remain at the core of this Renaissance for Europe.

The pandemic may have been a wake-up call, but we are already experiencing climate change and more extreme weather events. The EU recovery plan adopted on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique opportunity to avoid doomsday and turn Europe into a world leader in sustainability. 

Civil society can lead the way. We were the first among the EU institutions to listen to Greta Thunberg and the young climate activists taking to the streets to demand change now. We at the EESC were the first to roll out circular economy and sustainable development models. Our constituencies, alongside local governments, will still be on the front line in implementing the recovery plan after the pandemic, working to avoid chaos. We are now on the eve of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is an opportunity to lead us towards a new Europe, together. 

Robert Schuman said in his declaration 70 years ago that world peace cannot be safeguarded without creative efforts proportionate to the dangers that threaten it. Never, in any part of the world, at any time in history, have women and men experienced such a long period of peace, stability and economic prosperity; never has there been such an assurance of freedoms and rights as is now the case in Europe. But, as we all know, we cannot rest on our laurels.

Europe has been put to the test by a number of crises – and this time more than ever, with the unexpected and unprecedented pandemic. But I am sure we have enough energy and creativity to emerge stronger once again, all together. Now is the time to rise to the challenge once more. 

This House of European Civil Society, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, has a role to play at a time when there is renewed capacity for focusing on what really matters, being more open to change and suggesting ways to build Europe "through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity", as Schuman said. 

The rEUnaissance will be brought about by men and women who dare to innovate, to dream, to engage, to risk and to cultivate a collective sense of responsibility, while exercising a reasonableness in exploring new paths with passionate and enlightened realism.

Luca Jahier

EESC President