In his contribution to the EUdemos project, Sharer Islam, student of IIS Da Vinci–Fascetti, offers a personal and thoughtful reflection on the future of Europe. Drawing from his dual perspective as a student integrated in European civic life and as someone who has witnessed the absence of democracy in another part of the world, Sharer delivers a strong appeal: Europe must unite and reform to survive.
Productivity, Innovation, and Education Reform
Sharer begins by identifying a central challenge: Europe’s productivity gap. He stresses the importance of:
- Investing in AI and new technologiesto improve productivity across all sectors, including automotive and pharmaceutical
- Equipping schools with digital toolsto help young people use technology in learning, not just for entertainment
- Promoting awareness and digital management skillsfrom early education onward
In his view, the next generation must be digitally competent and critically aware.
Strategic Autonomy and Industrial Policy
Sharer emphasizes the need to avoid dependence on foreign powers, especially for critical resources like lithium and rare earths. Referring to the Draghi Report, he supports:
- Diversifying international supply chains
- Implementing a coordinated EU industrial policy, especially in sectors like automotive and energy
- Linking climate goals with industrial competitiveness, rather than separating them
He warns that fragmented approaches risk undermining both decarbonization and competitiveness.
The Financial Challenge: Toward a Fiscal Union
A key point of his essay is the financial backbone required to reform the EU. Sharer writes:
“Zero-cost reforms exist only in economists’ editorials.”
He argues that:
- Europe needs public investment equivalent to 5% of EU GDP, far beyond past initiatives like the Marshall Plan
- This is impossible without a fiscal union capable of issuing common European debt
- No single country today has the fiscal space to implement such reforms alone
In short, common challenges require common financial solutions.
Democracy and Citizen Participation
Sharer closes his essay with a heartfelt reflection on democratic responsibility:
- Low voter participation and political disengagement threaten the legitimacy of EU institutions
- Schools must promote civic education and institutional awareness
- Abstention is dangerous: democracy must not be taken for granted
He reminds us that democracy is fully understood only when it is lost, and warns Europe not to wait for that moment.
Conclusion: A United, Democratic, and Forward-Looking Europe
“Unity is strength: why and how to unite?”
Sharer Islam’s essay is both a critique and a vision. It calls on European leaders and citizens alike to:
- Reform EU governance
- Invest in education and innovation
- Create financial and democratic structures capable of confronting global challenges
His perspective exemplifies what EUdemos stands for: young voices shaping the Europe of tomorrow.
