The last word: For Europe, an opportunity for reinvention

The challenges Europe face may be unpredictable, but they’re also an invitation to reinvent how we approach unity, stability, and strength.

As I read former Finnish Prime Minister Sauli Niinistö’s recent Safer Together report earlier this week, I couldn’t resist looking at the state of the Union through the lens of the TOTO Matrix, a tool—created by Dr Nadya Zhexembayeva—that examines the impact of actions on today versus tomorrow.  

The EU’s past achievements are impressive: a single market, strong social standards, and an environmental agenda that leads globally.

• Eastern Europe: Under pressure to succeed in defence and innovation
• The last word: The reinvention of identity
• Once considered peripheral, CEE has become integral to the EU’s economic wellbeing

But there’s a risk of resting too heavily on these past successes, assuming they alone will shield the EU from emerging challenges.  

The founder and the chief reinvention officer at the Reinvention Academy refers to this condition as the Titanic Syndrome. It is the trap of believing we’re ‘too strong to fail’, similar to the British luxury passenger liner that sank in 1912. 

We have seen Titanic Syndrome in the EU’s approach to technology and digital infrastructure. While member states enjoyed robust trade, the reliance on external suppliers for critical technologies, from microchips to 5G infrastructure, left the EU vulnerable.  

Only recently has the EU launched initiatives, like the European Chips Act, to strengthen its technological self-sufficiency. Without more proactive adaptation, relying on existing structures could jeopardise the EU’s economic sovereignty in an increasingly digital world. 

Firefighting is all about short-term fixes and long-term pains. In recent years, the EU has been forced to respond quickly to emerging crises, often resorting to short-term fixes. 

Take, for example, the Covid-19 pandemic. The initial response was marked by border closures, fragmented healthcare policies, and a scramble for resources, which strained the EU’s limited preparedness for a pan-European health emergency.

The pandemic exposed how quickly unanticipated events can drain resources, lead to inconsistent policies, and create economic hardship across member states.  

Blind idealism is about setting ambitious goals without realistic follow-through. While visionary strategies are important, they can become disconnected from the day-to-day realities of member states. 

The EU has set goals for digital transformation across its member states, envisioning a connected digital market. However, the digital divide remains a real challenge, particularly in less economically developed countries.

Ambitions like a unified digital market are admirable, but without on-the-ground support and investment in digital infrastructure, they risk remaining idealistic visions rather than practical realities.  

An opportunity for reinvention

The Niinistö report’s proposals are ultimately aimed at positioning the EU within the reinvention quadrant—where actions benefit both today and tomorrow.

The report recommends a shift from reactive measures to proactive, systemic change as crises become more frequent and complex—from cybersecurity threats, geopolitical tensions, growing social concerns to climate-related disruptions.  

The challenges Europe face may be unpredictable, but they’re also an invitation to reinvent how we approach unity, stability, and strength.

Preparedness-by-design and citizen empowerment aren’t just principles—they are practical steps toward reinventing the EU as a Union that’s equipped to handle an unpredictable future. 

The EU has the resources, expertise, and vision to build a resilient Union, one that is prepared for both the seen and the unforeseen.

The steps laid out in the Safer Together report provide a starting point, but the commitment to reinvent must come from every level—from government leaders to the citizens who call Europe home. In an era of uncertainty, a reinvented EU can be the solid ground we all need. 

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