Vice-President Suica delivers a keynote speech at 12th Annual Conference of Europe's Sciences and Arts Leaders and Scholars “It's About People 2024”, organized by Alma Mater Europaea - ECM

Vice-President Suica in Maribor delivers a keynote speech

Dear Professor Toplak, dear Ludvik
Dear Member of the European Parliament Mr Bogovič, dear Franc,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to join you today for the 12th Annual Conference of Europe's Sciences and Arts Leaders and Scholars. This is a world-class Conference that Alma Mater Europaea is known for.

Indeed my portfolio links very well to your regular conference theme which is: “It's about people”.

Because in the roots of democracy and demography, you find the word demos – meaning people!

In my work as European Commission Vice-President, we keep citizens at the very heart of everything that we do!
And these days, we are doing it increasingly with them!
As we seek to underpin and support all Member States when it comes to their democracy, prosperity and security.

I am especially honoured to be with you and to avail of this opportunity to look together at a future where demographic knowledge and policymaking can help us all face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead!

The thinking around demographic challenges and trends has evolved significantly since the beginning of this Commission mandate.
Demographic change matters and it is matters a lot!
President von der Leyen has ensured that it remains high on the political agenda.
Our leaders in the European Council agree with her on this point.

Our leaders are grasping the importance of addressing demographic change today! Before it is too late!
I welcome this, because it helps us to avoid mistakes that we have previously committed.
As when we failed to react in time to climate change which is why it is now more complicated to manage the transition.
Here we have an opportunity to take the lead and move forward before it becomes too late!

The European Commission's work on demography links to the guiding themes of your conference.
Your event looks at how we can understand, respond and prepare policymaking in the context of overcoming crises.

First to understanding!
Data-driven evidence on populations is vital to understanding our democracy, the economy and our society as whole. And given the current geopolitical context, data-driven evidence on demographic change is crucial to addressing the impact of crises.
Whatever form a crisis may take!
While some may find the data alarming, I consider it a call to action.
Our two reports on the impact of demographic change have helped to make the case for this approach.

With my colleague Commissioners, we endeavour to streamline demographic change into our policymaking, right across the board.

In April 2021, the Commission launched the Atlas of Demography. It is an interactive knowledge management tool that enables policy-makers and citizens to observe, monitor and anticipate demographic challenges with an unprecedented body of data.
We have made it available to all.
What is very useful about this tool is that you can truly zoom into the data on the ground.
Right into the municipal level.
As a former mayor, I understand how all politics is local so it is important to have access to this information.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The demographic mega-trend of ageing is sweeping across our continent and many other parts of the world.
This is an opportunity to shift the narrative from an ageing society to a longevity society.
Ageing suggests a burden, while longevity inspires hope and opportunity.

My main message to you today is the urgent need to make our population and our democratic institutions longevity literate.

This is not a message just for older people.
Life plans! Education and life-long learning!
The meaning of retirement and pensions!
These are all affected by longer life-expectancy.
So this is a message for young people too!
In fact it is especially for them.
Indeed for all generations!

As we look to the future, more energy must be devoted to the care of all generations, especially the elderly.
Is AI going to be helpful in this respect?
To what extent?
How will telemedicine deliver?
Can we deliver the benefits of the silver economy?
The good news is that we are living longer and healthier lives than ever before.
Having so many generations alive at the same time is a unique achievement in human history.
We must learn to harness that potential to build a better future for all generations.
Moreover, it is crucial to highlight that if demographic challenges are left unaddressed, this can potentially make crises worse.

As part of our response, it is vital that we provide stability and reassurance.
It is vital that we demonstrate the ability of democracy to deliver for citizens.
Especially given the upcoming European elections.
And I believe that these elections will be fought on the basis of trust – trust in ability of democracy to truly deliver what citizens need, where they need it!
Citizens must be able to trust and have confidence in the democratic institutions designed to serve them.
This is a very important reflection in this year with so many elections across the world!

We came out recently with a Defence of Democracy Package.
It guides our efforts to enhance the resilience of our democracies. The proposed Directive on transparency of interest representation aims to establish harmonised rules to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in the face of foreign influence.
Part of that package was a Recommendation aimed at enhancing the participation of citizens and civil society in policymaking across all levels of governance and across all generations.
This initiative reflects our dedication to strengthening the quality and resilience of our democracies, fostering accountability in public decision-making, and promoting a thriving civic space. These are all essential for meaningful participation.

We are also continuing to embed citizen engagement in our policymaking.
We are currently running a European Citizen Panel on Energy Efficiency which is attracting a lot of interest.
And we already have another panel on hatred planned for April.
These democratic innovations are essential for bridging the perceived gap between citizens and the democratic institutions designed to serve them!
Of course, this increasing engagement with citizens helps to strengthen our representative democracy.
It is not designed to replace it!
For example, I was a co-chair in the Conference on the Future of Europe.
This is the largest exercise in deliberative democracy the world has ever seen!
If you read the 49 proposals that came out of the deliberations, you will see that demography was mentioned there!
Citizens demanded action on it.

This is part of the story behind why we came forward with a toolbox last October.
We came forward with a toolbox that is place-based and can help Member States to address demographic change at all levels of governance.

This was delivered upon the request of Member States at the European Council in June.
This shows that both citizens and elected representatives are helping to push forward the policy agenda around demography.
Before it is too late!
The toolbox is not a “one-size-fits-all”-solution.
It recognises that regional and local circumstances differ.
Its four pillars empower and support parents, younger generations and older generations as well as the opportunities offered by legal migration.

The toolbox offers measures and solutions, rather than imposing them.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Ignoring the impact of demographic changes on our democracy, our society and economy may lead to an uncertain future.

But this is completely avoidable!

The consequences of an aging population, low birth rates, and migration need to be anticipated and addressed through informed policymaking.
Inaction in the face of these demographic shifts could strain social systems, challenge labour markets, and create economic vulnerabilities.

It is imperative that we recognise that demographic factors are affecting broader crises. If we do that, we can respond proactively and productively.

By doing so, we can build democratic resilience from within, promote social cohesion, and ensure prosperity, security and a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Thank you.