Dear Rector Mogherini,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

And more importantly: dear Jacques Delors promotion,

Good morning and thank you for welcoming me here.

Im pleased to be here as we approach the first 100 days of my mandate. The College of Europe has been a cornerstone for shaping Europes future. Generations, or promotions as referred to here, have paved the way for change.

Sixty years ago, Bob Dylan sang The times, they are a-changin. Indeed, the world has transformed dramatically since then. Housing prices, for instance, have soared, posing challenges for young people today. The cost of living has risen significantly, with salaries not keeping pace.

This was not just a call to Americans but a global appeal to address climate change. The first Earth Day in 1970 saw millions protest environmental destruction, a movement that has since gone global, highlighting the need for urgent action.

Todays challenges are rooted in a long history, and reversing their effects requires collective effort. Its crucial for the sustainability of our welfare systems, societal cohesion, and European democracys longevity.

Strengthening European security and defense is not just necessary; its a matter of intergenerational fairness. Future generations deserve a just, sovereign, and stable continent.

The Special European Council is convening to address these issues. We must stand with Ukraine, for their future is intertwined with ours and that of the European Union.

Addressing young peoples concerns about rising costs and environmental protection is vital. We must ensure they have opportunities akin to their parents.

As the first European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Im tasked with developing a strategy to ensure todays decisions do not harm tomorrows Europeans and to promote communication between generations.

This strategy must be participatory, gathering input from diverse stakeholders, including civil society, NGOs, and citizens. A European Citizens Panel will be launched to present the strategy next year.

The scope should focus on fairness rather than just solidarity, seeking to mobilize all generations strengths. This includes fostering social mobility and exploring flexible retirement patterns.

Europes demographic shift and shrinking workforce necessitate productivity improvements through digitalization and decarbonization.

Rural development and preventing brain drain are essential to ensuring no part of Europe is left behind. Environmental protection is key to providing fair opportunities for future generations.

The strategy will draw inspiration from existing frameworks like Wales Well-being of Future Generations Act, OECDs Well-being Framework, and the United Nations Common Principles on Future Generations.

Intergenerational fairness is about ensuring todays actions dont undermine future access to essential public goods. It embodies the EUs founding principles of solidarity and inclusion.

We must invest wisely to reap future rewards, keeping future generations in mind in EU budget negotiations. Im eager to hear your views on the steps we should take and how Europe should evolve over the next sixty years.

Thank you for this opportunity to discuss these critical topics and reflect on Europes future achievements. Lets lead the way with bravery, courage, and leadership.