The client
The European Academy of Religion and Society (EARS) is an independent academic network and think tank dedicated to bridging the gap between religious scholarship and European society. Bringing together researchers from across Europe, EARS analyzes the complex interplay between religion, politics, ethics, and social policy. EARS informs policymakers, journalists, educators, and the public on how evolving religious dynamics shape contemporary social, political, and cultural challenges across the continent.
Key questions to ftrprf
How can EARS counter external narratives of a declining Europe? How can we move beyond abstract policy rhetoric to build a credible and authentic counter-narrative for decision-makers?
The action
To address the blind spots in existing research on the European narrative, we conducted a thorough gap analysis and convened an off-the-record roundtable in The Hague. Under the Chatham House Rule, leaders from diplomacy, journalism, philosophy, politics, and the arts came together to bridge these gaps and build a grounded vision for Europe’s future.
The impact
We delivered a strategic report for European decision-makers that establishes an authentic counter-narrative, shifting the debate from abstract value-projection toward internal credibility, pluralism, and human-centered storytelling.
Collaboration
Major global players like the US and Russia increasingly push narratives depicting Europe as a continent in decline. Left unanswered, these external perspectives risk shaping how Europe views itself and projects its standing globally. The European Academy on Religion and Society (EARS) brought in ftrprf to help shape an authentic, self-anchored counter-narrative.
Our initial research into European think tanks revealed that traditional attempts to construct a European narrative frequently hit credibility walls—they rely heavily on abstract values without addressing internal consistency or public discontent.
To bridge this gap, ftrprf convened a cross-sector roundtable discussion in The Hague. Bringing together influential leaders from diplomacy, journalism, philosophy, politics, and the arts, we explored complex topics surrounding identity, culture, and religion under the Chatham House Rule. By stepping outside conventional policy frameworks, we facilitated an open dialogue that translated academic and societal insights into a cohesive strategic narrative.
Outcomes
The collaboration produced a strategic report offering decision-makers a clear, grounded vision for Europe’s future. Among the report's key insights are core principles such as:
- Internal Credibility: Europe’s projected values must be honored internally through an open, pluralistic society that actively protects minority populations.
- Dispersion of Power: The true strength of the European model lies in preventing power monopolies through a clear separation of church, state, and powers.
- Authentic Storytelling: Effective narratives must replace abstract policy jargon with concrete human stories, authentic role models, and a distinctively European register of humor and understatement.
Download the report here.
Roundtable participant
“If the pressure from outside and the discontent within are not both addressed, the next blow will again come as a surprise.”