While technical hurdles and political framework conditions for industry transformation are
widely discussed, the social dimension of industrial transformation receives less attention.
However, a meaningful transformation cannot occur without the active involvement of
industry, policymakers, and citizens.
New infrastructures – such as pipelines, power lines or plant conversions – will affect
citizens, and reactions to these changes are hard to predict today. This uncertainty makes it
even more important to address social issues and potential conflicts early on – particularly
regarding infrastructure expansion and the fair distribution of transformation costs.
These social dynamics directly impact both structural and industrial policy. Industrial policy
must extend beyond promoting innovation and competitiveness; it must also strengthen
social cohesion, reduce regional inequalities, and ensure job security in sectors undergoingtransformation. It must help shape an economy that is not only greener but also fairer.
Similarly, structural policy has a key role in supporting regions most affected by the
transformation.
Our event brings together stakeholders from society, politics, business, and science to
explore and discuss these pressing issues.
The detailed program will be published here after the summer break.
