Europe is in a phase of transition amidst multidimensional challenges, which it appears unprepared to effectively manage. The centrifugal tendencies, the inclination towards national isolationism, or the lack of solidarity on crucial issues, and the strengthening of populist forces create new realities. The political and economic divergence among member states as well as within societies (with the real risk of the prevalence of national stereotypes) undermines the European project, at least in the form we have known it in recent years.

Despite the institutional deepening theoretically achieved with the Lisbon Treaty, many decisions continue to be taken in closed blocs, while the "voice" of European citizens seems to be exhausted in the often fragmented European Parliament. This intensifies the feeling of alienation of Brussels from civil society. It is clear that today's model of Europe is not "liked," and that the European project is shaken from within due to pressures and challenges that come from outside.

Undoubtedly, the KEP, by posing the extremely timely dilemma of whether we are moving on the path of regression or progress, by providing a platform for high-level speakers, contributes to the public European debate on the burning issues that plague Europe through the publication of the proceedings of its Conference.