Friends of Europe partnered with the European Forum Alpbach for its 2024 edition, held in the Austrian Alps under the theme ‘Moment of Truth’. On 25 August, Friends of Europe hosted a session focused on engaging the private sector as an active and responsible stakeholder—rather than merely a shareholder—in Europe’s social contract. This session falls wihting the broader framework of Friends of Europe’s Renewed Social Contract initiative, aligning with one of the 10 Policy Choices published in February 2024, ahead of the new European institutional cycle.
The discussion extended beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aiming to redefine the evolving responsibilities and expectations between various societal sectors amid the environmental, social and economic challenges underpinning Europe’s transitions. Friends of Europe advocates for the European Commission to adopt a public policy objective that fosters collaboration with the private sector to generate social, economic and community benefits for all. The session explored the necessary steps to ensure that the world’s largest corporations play a more significant role as co-creators of the European social contract.
Gabriel Felbermayr, Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) and Professor at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, provided a civil society perspective, framing the conversation within a market context. He warned against false dichotomies between the private and public sectors and cautioned against using the broad term ‘private sector,’ which encompasses both SMEs and large multinationals—the latter often being responsible for the trust deficit. Felbermayr emphasised that smart regulation requires collaboration between both sectors, with the public sector providing public goods such as health, education and infrastructure, while the private sector drives innovation to address specific challenges. For this division of labour to work, he stressed the need for adequate market conditions supported by robust competition policies and regulations.
Panellists from the private sector notably highlighted their pro-social business strategies focused on societal benefits through innovation. Ludmila (Lucy) Georgieva, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for Austria at Google, emphasised Google’s commitment to responsible AI and innovation, guided by its AI principles. She reiterated that sustainability and DEI are top priorities, noting that Google has been carbon-neutral since 2007 and aims to be carbon-free by 2030. Anita Orban, Director of Public Affairs & ESG at Vodafone Group, discussed how Vodafone contributes to enhancing lives and opportunities through greater connectivity, helping to close the digital divide and reduce costs in critical sectors such as health and education. However, Orban pointed out that Europe lags behind in 5G development, thus affecting its competitiveness, and stressed the importance of strengthening the European digital single market.
Mario Nava, Director-General at the European Commission DG-EMPL, emphasised that neither the private nor the public sector can or should operate in isolation. He addressed the evolving labour market, warning of growing labour and skills shortages, particularly in digital sectors, and urged public-private partnerships to tackle this challenge. Nava advocated for education reform that would include training and upskilling for emerging industries, with the private sector involved in curriculum design to ensure relevant skills are taught. He also pointed to the Migration Pact’s Talent Pool provision as a way to involve the private sector in identifying the profiles needed by European industries. Nava praised Debating Europe’s recommendation from its 2024 Voices – Citizens Speak Up! report, which calls for age quotas to ensure youth representation in policymaking.
Panellists recommended improving public-private partnerships through smart and coordinated regulations, legal clarity and shared and uninterrupted ownership of projects from inception to delivery. There was unanimous agreement on the need to deepen and enhance the Single Market as a key driver of European competitiveness.
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PHOTO CREDIT: EFA / Matteo Vegetti
Guiding questions:
Moderated by
Dharmendra Kanani
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe
Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for Austria at Google
Dr Georgieva is an experienced strategic leader, lawyer and policy professional with a strong track record in tech regulatory, EU diplomacy and the public sector with 20 years of experience. Since 2022, she has overseen Google’s policy work in Austria as part of the leadership team and is responsible for strategic narratives, engagements and partnerships. She joined Google in Brussels as EU Policy Lead for Privacy & Security back in 2019. Prior to Google, she was diplomat and Special Attachée for Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Media Policy at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU. Before going to Brussels, she served in the Austrian public administration in Vienna (Federal Chancellery), worked at law firms and NGOs. She is a frequent speaker and publisher, and holds a master’s and doctorate in law.
Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) and professor at the Vienna University of Economics and Business
Gabriel Felbermayr is the Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) and a professor at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU). Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co. and led the ifo Center for International Economics at the University of Munich, where he was also a professor in International Economics. Felbermayr also served as President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and held a chair at Kiel University (CAU).
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Spokesperson of Friends of Europe
Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra Kanani was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sectors and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.
Director-General at the European Commission Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL)
Mario Nava is the Director-General of DG EMPL of the EU Commission. Previously, he was the Director-General of DG REFORM and has held the role of Director and Head of Unit posts in the DG for Financial Services. He was also President of Italian Financial Market Authority. He teaches at Bocconi University and at Solvay Business School. Nava was notably awarded the title of Bocconi Alumnus of 2023.
Director of Public Affairs & ESG at Vodafone Group
Dr Anita Orban is the Director of Public Affairs at Vodafone Group, prior to which she served as the external affairs director of Vodafone Hungary and vice-chairwoman of its board. She is the former vice-president for international affairs at Tellurian LNG. Orban has also worked as the chief advisor for Cheniere Marketing Ltd, Hungarian ambassador-at-large for energy security of Hungary, as well as the director of the Constellation Energy Institute, a think tank that facilitates cooperation in the central-eastern European energy sector. The author of “Power, Energy and the New Russian Imperialism”, she is recognised as one of the most influential female business leaders by Forbes Hungary and the recipient of the Woman Executive of the Year in Energy Award. She is also a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations, the Board of Globsec and Co-Founder of the Women in Technology Association.
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