Workshop 2: Intergenerational Dialogues among European Union Entrepreneurs

15 March 2022 – 16:00-18:00

Organised by: The Young Entrepreneurs Organization of the European Union (JEUNE) in cooperation with the EESC Section on Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) and the EESC Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO)


Live streaming: https://youtu.be/i19N133heV0


Programme

Moderator: Cillian Lohan, Vice-President of the EESC

16:00 | Opening remarks

  • Frederico Sousa Pimental, Secretary General JEUNE 

16:15 | Round of introductions

Centennials/Generation Z

  • Kilian Kaminski, Founder of Refurbed
  • Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael, Co-founder of Faircado

Millennials/Generation Y

  • Maria Nikolopoulou, Vice-President of the EESC NAT section
  • Carlos Sentis, Founder and CEO of the World Innovation Alliance

Babyboomers/Generation X

  • Lisa Muhr, Founder of Göttin des Glücks eG


16:45 | Debate on the three pillars of sustainability

  • Session 1: economic viability
  • Session 2: social equity
  • Session 3: environmental protection

17:45 | Closing remarks

  • Alexandrina Robu Cepoi, Parliamentary Assistant and Vice-President of JEUNE

Concept note

This workshop aims to bring together different generations of entrepreneurs to discuss the meaning of entrepreneurship today and how it has changed, and to understand the general attitudes of citizens towards the European Union.

The workshop will invite entrepreneurs from three generations representing different groups - baby boomers (generation X), millennials (generation Y) and centennials (generation Z) - to a debate to explore and share their aspirations, mindset, ideas and challenges. They will also learn more about the far-reaching changes that have taken place over the past 30 years in terms of employment, economic growth, education and justice - substantial areas where the EU provides opportunities.   

In particular, the specific goals of this workshop are:

  • to learn about and discuss the attitudes of all citizens towards European integration, seen through the eyes of different European generations from various professional backgrounds;
  • to compare different ideas and, most importantly, ways of thinking and share professional and life experiences and backgrounds;
  • to bring together a broad range of socio-demographic and civil society representatives around the theme of entrepreneurship;
  • to underline the importance of private initiatives and entrepreneurship in overcoming all types of crises;
  • to discuss how entrepreneurship can contribute to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development;
  • to explore and identify practical steps that citizens can take to participate more actively in co-creating the future of the European Union, create economic opportunities for economic development and find and apply practical solutions to problems related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Work organisation