“A Strong Europe in a Changing World” – Opportunities for Managers under the Danish Presidency
Denmark has assumed the EU Council Presidency today. Its agenda—under the motto “A secure Europe” and “A competitive and green Europe”—presents strategic openings for the managerial community, not only because our member organisation in Denmark, Lederne is led by our Secretary General Torkild Justesen, but also because our Danish members have been working intensely on Sustainable Leadership in the current framework of “speaking with the youth” and the ongoing economic transitions in Europe.
From CEC European Managers‘ viewpoint, this Presidency offers a once-in-six-month opportunity to cement managers’ roles as catalysts in Europe’s transformation in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, digitalisation, sustainable leadership, and as stewards of inclusion and equality.
The Danish presidency’s dual focus on building a secure Europe and fostering a competitive, green Union mirrors the areas where managers’ leadership is most needed.
Whether it concerns reinforcing the EU’s resilience in the face of security threats, facilitating sustainable growth, or accelerating innovation in life sciences and critical technologies, managers stand at the heart of these transformations.
We are the ones guiding teams, managing complex transitions, and ensuring that European values are reflected in practical decisions taken in companies, institutions, and public services.
Managers are also increasingly called upon to integrate cybersecurity standards, oversee ethical deployment of AI, and balance organisational innovation with the protection of fundamental rights.
As a European social partner, CEC European Managers insists that policy in these areas must be designed and implemented with managerial expertise in mind. Good governance cannot exist without capable, informed leadership.
Denmark calls for Sustainable Leadership
Equally significant is the Danish Presidency’s prioritisation of economic resilience and a favourable investment environment. Sound fiscal policies, support for private capital mobilisation, and continued funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction require long-term vision and precise execution — qualities that define effective management.
CEC European Managers calls on social partners to be involved in shaping the following EU budgetary framework, ensuring it supports managerial capacity and innovation.
Sustainability and climate policy remain a central pillar of Denmark’s programme. Regulatory simplification and a more competitive approach to the green transition provide an opening for managers to lead adaptation processes.
The Danish Presidency’s commitment to research and innovation further highlights the need for manager-driven transformation. From pharmaceuticals to digital technologies and space, the future competitiveness of Europe depends on turning research into sustainable impact.
CEC continues to show its commitment to making the voice of Europe’s 13 million managers heard — not only in Brussels but wherever change is negotiated and implemented.
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