Globalisation and technological progress have shaped – and continue to re-shape – our current world, bringing levels of prosperity and freedom beyond anyone’s imagination. But this change has also come with some downsides, perceived and real. In this new global business environment, characterised by fierce competition, the European economy is faced with a new wave of industrial transformations, which many believe could lead to growing economic and social disparities across the EU’s territories and to an overall increase in inequality within and between countries. In the context of the discussions about the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a panel of experts at this Policy Dialogue considered how the EU budget could be better used to support those most impacted by the downside of economic globalisation.

Speakers included: European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther H. Oettinger, Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, Stephen Raes, Head of Economic Affairs Department, Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU, Jacek Szlachta, Chair of the Strategic Advisory Forum of the ESPON.