2017 Concordia Europe Summit Report

The modern concept of a united Europe is being tested early in this 21st century. From the impacts of the mounting refugee crisis to the rise of populist parties and the recent decision made by the people of Britain to leave the European Union, the future of the continent remains complex. While many obstacles to overcome these challenges persist, cross-sector collaboration lends itself to more efficient allocation of resources to address these issues and implement viable solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To address these pressing regional challenges, we hosted our inaugural Concordia Europe Summit in Athens on June 6th and 7th. Serving as a continuation of related programming at our previous Annual Summits and our Americas Summit in Bogotá, this exclusive event took place at a pivotal time for the continent following significant shifts in regional leadership that will continue throughout 2017. As the popular vote has become far less predictable than ever before, election results in Italy, France, Germany, and elsewhere are having effects not only on citizen populations, but also on universal human rights, global markets, migrant populations, and regional investment climates. 

Concordia believes that public-private partnerships have great potential for impact in Europe as it works to preserve a modern-day union, quell a burgeoning refugee crisis, and reignite regional economic growth, while remaining on the path to achieving the SDGs by 2030. By having convened regional leadership to address these challenges and formulate practical solutions, Concordia provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and brokered new relationships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. We remain highly invested in the security and prosperity of Europe and have prioritized collaboration across the continent as the focal point of our year-round programming which will carry into the 2017 Concordia Annual Summit and beyond.

Immediately following the Concordia Europe Summit, Concordia hosted our Day of Engagement in an effort to meaningfully connect our Members, partners, and other key stakeholders to the issues discussed the days prior. The action-oriented format provided participants with an engaging platform to network and visualize their individual role in achieving social impact. This initiative, held in partnership with the HOME Project and the Athens Partnership, showcased public-private partnerships designed to enhance sustainable living and empower refugees throughout the City of Athens. Tackling issues related to the refugee and migration crisis, economic opportunity, and youth engagement, both the HOME Project and the Athens Partnership demonstrate innovative collaborations that engage local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector to address systemic challenges facing at-risk communities.

To download the 2017 Concordia Europe Summit Report, click here.