JRC Science Hub - Facts4EUFuture - a series of reports for the future of Europe JRC Science Hub (writing sample)

Do writing sample

30/04/2024

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URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Facts4EUFuture - a series of reports for the future of Europe

The EU faces a series challenges resulting from four global transformative trends:

technological development;
new work and societal organisation;
environmental sustainability and
shifts in the geopolitical balance.

These transformations are complex and rapid.

To produce credible responses, our policy makers will need more sophisticated analysis. This may allow them to anticipate change and be prepared for it.

We at the JRC are determined to provide this with this series of reports.

They provide an in-depth analysis of some of the key challenges. The reports view them through many different angles to better grasp their full complexity.

The Facts4EUFuture reports

Artificial Intelligence: A European perspective

We are only at the beginning of a rapid period of transformation of our economy and society due to the convergence of many digital technologies. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to this change.

Beyond averages - fairness in an economy that works for people

How people feel about fairness matters. It might influence their decisions and their happiness. The fairness report addresses some of the most pertinent fairness dimensions in relation to a fair, inclusive and social European Union.

Blockchain now and tomorrow: assessing multidimensional impacts of distributed ledger technologies

Bringing together research from six JRC units, our report "Blockchain Now and Tomorrow" provides multidimensional insights into the state of blockchain technology.

China – Challenges and Prospects of an Industrial and Innovation Powerhouse

The report analyses China's approach to attain a dominant position in international markets through a combination of industrial, research and innovation (R&I), trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) policies.

Cybersecurity - our digital anchor - a European perspective

The report “Cybersecurity, our digital anchor” looks at a new “life-style of resilience" to the cyber threats. We all need to do our part for cybersecurity.

Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education

To make decisions about the future, it is important to understand how many people there will be in the future, and where they will live and work. The report helps us to know what to do, because it shows the consequences of changing different factors.

The Future of Road Transport - Implications of automated, connected, low-carbon and shared mobility

Current trends suggest that future road transport will be significantly different.

The changing nature of work and skills in the digital age

The report offers an evidence based analysis of the impact of technology on labour markets and skills.

The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward

Our report highlights the main challenges faced by cities and the people living within them currently and towards the future.

Understanding our political nature: how to put knowledge and reason at the heart of policymaking

Advances in behavioural, decision and social sciences show that humans are not purely rational beings. As a result, this report brings new insights to political behaviour.

Values & Identities - a policymaker's guide

The recent years have also seen high levels of polarisation, the rapid spread of dis- and misinformation, a decrease in willingness to compromise, and sometimes outright attacks on democracy. Our report addresses these issues.

Example copy, web page 1

Cybersecurity - our digital anchor - a European perspective

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/cybersecurity-our-digital-anchor-european-perspective_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Digital technologies empower us with great opportunities. They also make us more vulnerable.

The spread of digital technologies is contributing to improve the well-being of modern society.

They allow us to do things that were unthinkable 10 years ago. They give us the access to an enormous amount of knowledge.

However, they can also make us more vulnerable. Cyber attacks can shock our society. One attack can destroy your livelihood (e.g. identity theft). It can instantly affect millions of people (e.g. shutting down a power plant).

To defend our digitalised society requires a completely different, systemic approach to cybersecurity.

The report “Cybersecurity, our digital anchor” looks at a new “life-style of resilience" to the cyber threats.

We all need to do our part for cybersecurity.

Key findings

1. Cybersecurity is no longer a technological ‘option’, but a societal need.

With the COVID-19 pandemic came a large-scale move to teleworking and digital services. The coronavirus outbreak accelerated the digitalisation of our society.

Digitalisation now touches every aspect of our society. It exposes everyone’s daily life to cyber threats – directly or indirectly.

Cyber attacks can hit millions of people at once. As a result, cybersecurity is today a focal point of Europe security and stability.

2. We need a paradigm shift for cybersecurity. Cybersecurity needs to be set up from the start of any new digital service.

We’re moving towards an open-data and interconnected society. A society with 25 billion connected things by 2021 (Gartner).

The potential number of victims and the risks to people’s life are high.

We need new approaches to cybersecurity, which rely on resilience and adaptability.

3. Cybersecurity needs a collective effort. We all should be equipped to do our part in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is a framework. Everything, from the system design and policies to the usability and people’s attitude adds to securing our digital world.

It links to the evolution of technologies. This includes industrial and societal processes that need protection.

Cybersecurity requires a deep societal engagement and understanding - from the child playing with a toy to the policy maker shaping digital legislation.

4. Cybersecurity requires coherent and coordinated cyber secure policies by design.

Emerging new technologies will open up the digital world to new opportunities. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum, etc. will also expose us to new cyber threats.

The digitalisation of our society implies that industrial sectors are interconnected. Weaknesses can spread from one sector to the others.

Cybersecurity policies need to be coherent and interoperable across sectors.

5. Cybersecurity is a pillar of the European sovereignty for the future.

The threat of a “cyber Pearl Harbor” attack against the critical infrastructures of any country is very real.

Attackers are moving fast, do not abide by the rules and are not subject to any restrictions.

A European Union with a strong cybersecurity culture and technology can protect our digital sovereignty.

Download the report

Cybersecurity - our digital anchor - a European perspective

This report adopts a multi-disciplinary approach.

It investigates on the “why the symptoms are there today” to predict how they will evolve in the future.

It does not have the pretence to remedies for all the problems of cybersecurity.

It tries instead to link the dots by

bringing together research from different disciplinary fields, technological, economic and social.
illustrating the weaknesses of the digital evolution and on their impacts on the people and industry in Europe.
putting on the table the ingredients (technological and societal) for a brighter and more secure future for the European digital society.
showing how seemingly unrelated aspects could potentially add up to make our digital Europe a more secure space.

The report shows how the security of our digital world is the result of a collective effort.

As such, we all should do our part for cybersecurity.

Example copy, web page 2

Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/demographic-scenarios-eu-migration-population-and-education_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

To make decisions about the future, it is important to understand how many people there will be in the future, and where they will live and work.

As a population, we are ageing. How will be deal with having many more people over 65 than we have ever had before? How will we support them? Will it help to have more children or more immigration?

The report "Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education" helps us to know what to do, because it shows the consequences of changing different factors.

Key findings

With the latest demographic understanding, policy-making will be better equipped to make decisions for the future.

This report gives concise, important messages about what demographic changes can and cannot do in shaping the future population and workforce of the EU. Knowing the impact of different changes gives a clear indication of which policy avenues are most worthwhile to pursue.

Download the report

Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education

Example copy, web page 3

The Future of Road Transport - Implications of automated, connected, low-carbon and shared mobility

https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/future-road-transport-implications-automated-connected-low-carbon-and-shared-mobility_en

Current trends suggest that future road transport will be significantly different.

It is likely that we won't need to get any more to the gas station every week or so. Our cities won’t smell any longer. We will be able to see the blue sky more frequently.

It is also possible that we can make a different use of our garage, because we won’t need to own a vehicle.

When we need to get somewhere, we can rent a car or book a transport service. Or use a combination of different modes.

One of the available modes could be a new car concept:

Allowing one or two passengers
Able to drive alone and
Able to communicate with the other vehicles and the road to prevent accidents.

But, the car would be only one of the available options. A car can be used only in limited circumstances. Otherwise there will probably be so many cars around that we will waste more time than today in traffic jams.

It is true that while waiting we can read something, do shopping, work or interact with others, but maybe better to do these things at home or outside.

In the end we could have cooler, smarter and more comfortable vehicles, but the overall system would be pretty much the same, just with more problems.

Key findings

New technologies and business models. A perfect storm of new technologies and new business models is transforming our vehicles, how we get around, our way of life.
More efficient, safer, eco-friendly and accessible transport systems. The massive changes bring an opportunity to move towards a new transport system: more efficient, safer, less polluting and more accessible to larger parts of society.
21st century transport systems and policies. The new transport technologies, on their own, won't spontaneously make our lives better. Our transport systems and policies need upgrades to the 21st century.
Improve governance and involve people. To ensure that the future of transport is cleaner and fairer than its car-centred present, policymakers must improve governance systems and involve citizens in the rollout of innovative mobility solutions.

Do you want to have more information?

Download the report

The Future of Road Transport - Implications of automated, connected, low-carbon and shared mobility

Example copy, web page 4

Changing nature of work and skills

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/changing-nature-work-and-skills_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Digitalisation, ever-increasing connectivity and other major trends are profoundly changing labour markets, affecting the quantity and quality of jobs, their location, as well as how and by whom they are carried out. These trends raise crucial questions for public policies in the areas of labour market, skills development, future of education and social protection systems.

Through our research and analysis, the JRC Changing nature of work and skills team aims to support policymakers in their efforts to manage these transformations and turn them into opportunities for all workers, societal groups, generations, EU Member States, and regions.

Research

Flagship report

The changing nature of work and skills in the digital age

Science for policy briefs

Science updates

Interinstitutional collaboration

Building partnerships on the Future of Work

Example copy, web page 5

The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/future-cities-opportunities-challenges-and-way-forward_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

The majority of the global population currently live in urban areas, and this is expected to increase in the future.

The importance and role of cities is increasing recognised - the future of cities will greatly impact all of our futures.

Our report "The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward" highlights the main challenges faced by cities and the people living within them currently and towards the future.

It also discusses some of the tools cities can use to face those challenges.

It covers, among other issues:

environmental impact
ageing
health
housing
social segregation
new forms of governance
mobility

Key findings

Increasing or declining urban populations . An ageing Europe will struggle with challenges related both to growing populations in some cities and declining populations in others.
New technologies will transform living in cities. New technologies will transform how people move, live, work, and interact with authorities within cities. These technologies will need to be interoperable, integrated, and implemented in an inclusive way to benefit people and the functioning of cities.
Housing and infrastructure. Housing in cities will have to be rethought to create efficient, affordable, and inclusive neighbourhoods within the constraints of existing infrastructure.
Innovation and creativity hubs. Cities are essential hubs for achieving global goals such as sustainability. When they act together they have immense potential to tackle several challenges simultaneously.

Download the report

The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward

Example copy, web page 6

Understanding our political nature: how to put knowledge and reason at the heart of policymaking

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/understanding-our-political-nature-how-put-knowledge-and-reason-heart-policymaking_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Advances in behavioural, decision and social sciences show that humans are not purely rational beings.

As a result, this report brings new insights to political behaviour.

It calls upon evidence-informed policymaking not to be taken for granted.

Contributing to the research that underpins this JRC report were:

60 experts from around the world
- Behavioural scientists
- Social scientists
- Experts from the Humanities

There is a chapter dedicated to each key finding.

The latest scientific thinking as well as possible implications for policymaking are outlined.

The key findings from the report are:

Misperception and disinformation

Our thinking skills are challenged by today's information environment and make us vulnerable to disinformation. We need to think more about how we think.

Collective intelligence

Science can help us re-design the way policymakers work together to take better decisions and prevent policy mistakes.

Emotions

We can't separate emotion from reason. Better information about citizens' emotions and greater emotional literacy could improve policymaking.

Values and identities

Values and identities drive political behaviour but are not properly understood or debated

Framing, metaphor and narrative

Facts don't speak for themselves. Framing, metaphors and narratives need to be used responsibly if evidence is to be heard and understood.

Trust and openness

The erosion of trust in experts and in government can only be addressed by greater honesty and public deliberation about interests and values.

Evidence-informed policymaking

The principle that policy should be informed by evidence is under serious attack. Politicians, scientists and civil society need to defend this cornerstone of liberal democracy.

Download the report

The report "Understanding our political nature: how to put knowledge and reason at the heart of policymaking" is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Download the report

Enlightenment 2.0

"Understanding our political nature" is the first output from the Enlightenment 2.0 research programme.

Example copy, web page 7

Values & Identities - a policymaker's guide

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/values-identities-policymakers-guide_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Countries all around the world are facing tremendous challenges such as climate change, a loss of biodiversity, or the fallout from COVID-19.

Democracies are well suited to resolve such challenges by taking into account various values, interests, and perspectives. However, recent years have also seen high levels of polarisation, the rapid spread of dis- and misinformation, a decrease in willingness to compromise, and sometimes outright attacks on democracy.

Politics itself is increasingly turning on a new axis. On top of traditional economic conflicts, cultural values and identity issues have become just as or even more important for politics today.

EU institutions are well organized to address economic issues, e.g. through economic impact assessments. However, as the cultural values cleavage emerges, the EU needs to acquire new tools to understand the new fault line.

The JRC report “Values and Identities – a policymaker’s guide” addresses these issues.

You can find more information on the dedicated Knowledge for policy (K4P) website.

Visit Values & Identities on K4P

Download the report

Enlightenment 2.0

"Understanding our political nature" is the first output from the Enlightenment 2.0 research programme.

Artificial Intelligence: A European perspective

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/artificial-intelligence-european-perspective_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

We are only at the beginning of a rapid period of transformation of our economy and society due to the convergence of many digital technologies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to this change.

We still know very little about how AI will impact the way we think, make decisions, relate to each other, and how it will affect our jobs.

This uncertainty can be a source of concern but is also a sign of opportunity.

The future is not yet written.

We can shape it based on our collective vision of what future we would like to have.

But we need to act together and act fast.

European perspectives on AI

The future of AI is being written now.

Europe must act to shape its own AI future based on our shared vision.

If we don't act, AI's impact on our lives, our thinking, our jobs and even our interpersonal and societal relations will be decided elsewhere.

In the global race for AI, Europe competes with conflicting visions.

Between 'AI for profit' and 'AI for control', Europe could embrace 'AI for society', a human-centred, ethical, and secure approach that is true to our core values.

AI comes with both opportunities and threats, and the balance will depend on our decisions.

Get it right, and AI will strengthen European sovereignty and enhance our well-being.

Get it wrong, and European values may be confined to the dustbin of history.

To get AI right, Europe needs a coordinated strategy building
- on our strengths in research and industry;
- on our traditions in balancing the individual and societal interest, and
- on our diversity which could be harnessed through local data sharing ecosystems.

The report

This report presents a European view of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based on independent research and analysis by the JRC to inform the debate at the European level.

Artificial Intelligence: A European perspective

Example copy, web page 9

Beyond averages - fairness in an economy that works for people

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/beyond-averages-fairness-economy-works-people_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, slightly more than half of EU citizens considered their lives to be fair.

Three out of five Europeans agreed that they enjoyed equal opportunities in life.

Perceptions of fairness also differ markedly across countries and socio-demographic groups.

How people feel about fairness matters. It might influence their decisions and their happiness.

The fairness report addresses some of the most pertinent fairness dimensions in relation to a fair, inclusive and social European Union.

Key findings

Download the report

Beyond averages - fairness in an economy that works for people

The report offers:

a snapshot of the state of fairness in Europe before the COVID-19 outbreak.
a benchmark against which some of the consequences of the current crisis can be evaluated.

The fairness report and COVID-19 pandemic

The present report, “Beyond averages – Fairness in an economy that works for people”, was written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic is still unfolding and many uncertainties remain. A growing number of evidence suggests that the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are being borne disproportionally by less well-off people.

The pandemic reinforces the need to address the challenges underlying widening socio-economic inequalities.

Contact

Mail to EC-Fairness-CoP@ec.europa.eu

Research project on fairness

Challenges faced by social protection systems in Europe

Digitalisation and changing work relations require appropriate social protection and taxation systems.Non-standard forms of work tend to be more...

Fairness perceptions in Europe and across socio-economic groups

Northern Europeans mostly perceive their life as fairOn average, about half of European adults either strongly agree (11%) or agree (43 %) with the...

Income inequality dynamics within Europe and across macro-regions

A slight decline in EU-wide income inequality masks an increase in Southern Europe.EU wide income inequality declined over the period 2006-2016.But...

Social mobility in Europe across generations

Where you stand on the social ladder still strongly depends on your family history.In the EU, only 3 out of 10 people achieve higher education when...

Example copy, web page 10

Blockchain now and tomorrow: assessing multidimensional impacts of distributed ledger technologies

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/blockchain-now-and-tomorrow-assessing-multidimensional-impacts-distributed-ledger-technologies_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

Blockchain could enable parties with no particular trust in each other to exchange any kind of digital assets (money, contracts, land titles, medical and educational records, services or goods) on a peer-to-peer basis with fewer to no intermediaries.

Its potential for wide-ranging changes in the economy, industry and society is now being explored across sectors and organisations.

Bringing together research from six JRC units, our report "Blockchain Now and Tomorrow" provides multidimensional insights into the state of blockchain technology.

It identifies ongoing and upcoming transformations, and it sets out an anticipatory approach for applications in finance, industry, trade and public sectors, moving beyond the hype and debunking controversies.

Key findings

Download the report

Blockchain Now And Tomorrow - Assessing Multidimensional Impacts of Distributed Ledger Technologies

Example copy, web page 11

China – Challenges and Prospects of an Industrial and Innovation Powerhouse

URL: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-mission-statement-work-programme/facts4eufuture/china-challenges-and-prospects-industrial-and-innovation-powerhouse_en (may have been updated since May 2023)

China is rapidly becoming a major industrial competitor in high-tech and growth sectors.

It aims, through the 'Made in China 2025' strategy, to become a world leader in ten key emerging industrial sectors.

In these sectors, it strives to strengthen its domestic innovation capacity, to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies while moving up in global value chains.

The report "China – Challenges and Prospects of an Industrial and Innovation Powerhouse" analyses China's approach to attain a dominant position in international markets through a combination of industrial, research and innovation (R&I), trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) policies.

It also offers an evidence-based assessment of China's current position compared to the EU and US innovation systems across a range of dimensions, emphasising quantitative data on China's development.

It concludes that China has become a major industrial competitor in several rapidly expanding high-tech sectors, and may well attain innovation leadership in specific areas.

This is also reflected in the EU-China Strategic Outlook, which sets out concrete actions to seek a more balanced and reciprocal relationship given China's growing power and influence.

Key findings

In response, the report highlights the need for the EU to boost its industrial and R&I performance and – given the complexity of the EU-China relationship – develop policies that can help ensure a level playing field for EU companies in China.

Meanwhile the EU may also want to consider the potential need for protecting strategic assets from foreign investors. However, in doing so, it should take into account the large benefits that may flow from industrial investments from abroad.

Download the report

China – Challenges and Prospects of an Industrial and Innovation Powerhouse

JRC Science Hub - Facts4EUFuture - a series of reports for the future of Europe JRC Science Hub (writing sample)

Example copy, web page 1 (landing page)

Facts4EUFuture - a series of reports for the future of Europe

The Facts4EUFuture reports

Example copy, web page 1

Cybersecurity - our digital anchor - a European perspective

Key findings

1. Cybersecurity is no longer a technological ‘option’, but a societal need.

2. We need a paradigm shift for cybersecurity. Cybersecurity needs to be set up from the start of any new digital service.

3. Cybersecurity needs a collective effort. We all should be equipped to do our part in cybersecurity.

4. Cybersecurity requires coherent and coordinated cyber secure policies by design.

5. Cybersecurity is a pillar of the European sovereignty for the future.

Download the report

Related Content

Example copy, web page 2

Demographic Scenarios for the EU - Migration, Population and Education

Key findings

Download the report

Related Content

Example copy, web page 3

The Future of Road Transport - Implications of automated, connected, low-carbon and shared mobility

Key findings

Download the report

Related Content

Example copy, web page 4

Changing nature of work and skills

Research

Flagship report

Science for policy briefs

Science updates

Interinstitutional collaboration

Related links

Example copy, web page 5

The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward

Key findings

Download the report

Related Content

Example copy, web page 6

Understanding our political nature: how to put knowledge and reason at the heart of policymaking

Misperception and disinformation

Collective intelligence

Emotions

Values and identities

Framing, metaphor and narrative

Trust and openness

Evidence-informed policymaking

Download the report

Enlightenment 2.0

Related Content

Example copy, web page 7

Values & Identities - a policymaker's guide

Download the report

Enlightenment 2.0

Related Content

Artificial Intelligence: A European perspective

European perspectives on AI

The report

Related Content

Example copy, web page 9

Beyond averages - fairness in an economy that works for people

Key findings

Download the report

The fairness report and COVID-19 pandemic

Related content

Contact

Example copy, web page 10

Blockchain now and tomorrow: assessing multidimensional impacts of distributed ledger technologies

Key findings

Download the report

Related Content

Example copy, web page 11

China – Challenges and Prospects of an Industrial and Innovation Powerhouse

Key findings

Download the report

Related Content

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