​In a rapidly changing and interdependent world, Europe’s new leaders need to adopt a global perspective in European policy-making, a new understanding of the EU’s global role, and in particular, a new approach to international development. The EU’s ambitions for its own citizens – for prosperity, environmental sustainability, peace and inclusiveness – cannot be divorced from its global responsibilities and opportunities. Its future will be shaped by how successful it is in contributing towards a more inclusive, stable, prosperous and equitable world. To do this, the EU will need to promote better and more inclusive trade and finance regimes, play its part internally and externally on climate change and the transition towards a green economy, contribute towards the prevention of violent conflict, support democratic political change and respect for human rights, and understand and tackle the drivers of poverty and inequality.

Do Europe’s new leaders recognise the need for a new global strategy that links internal and external action? How can Europe’s policymakers ensure there will be a greater commitment to collective action at EU level? Is there a readiness to connect new ways of working with new systems and processes? How can the EU’s leadership be strengthened across policy areas and institutions? Does the European Think Tanks Group’s 2014 report 'Our Collective Interest: Why Europe's problems need global solutions and global problems need European action' offer the sort of answers needed?