Thenew European Bauhaus is a creative initiative spearheaded by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. Its goal is to dissolve the boundaries between science, technology, culture and social integration, in order to allow designers to find new solutions to everyday problems. According to the originator, with the new European Bauhaus it will become possible to combine sustainability with style, in such a way that the European Green Deal will reach both homes and the minds of citizens. What actions and already visible results does this green initiative bring? We asked Xavier Troussard, chairman of the new European Bauhaus project at the European Commission's Joint Research Center, about this.
Xavier Troussard - joined the Joint Research Center in 2014 to create and lead the development of the EU Policy Lab at the intersection of the disciplines of foresight, behavioral science and design. He brings his experience in policy-making at the EU level and an interest in creativity and innovation. Previously, Xavier worked at DG Information, Communication, Culture and Audiovisual, where he contributed to the establishment and further development of EU audiovisual policy before representing the European Commission and leading EU coordination in the negotiation of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. As head of the Cultural Policy, Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue Unit at the Directorate General for Education and Culture, he developed the European Agenda for Culture and the EU strategy for the cultural and creative sectors. Twice serving as director at the same DG, he helped shape the EU's Creative Europe program and managed its MEDIA sub-program. Xavier Troussard holds a degree in law and general administration from the University of Rennes (France) and a degree in European Studies from the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium).
Dorota Polak: The new European Bauhaus is a name that can give the misleading impression that the idea only involves European countries. What does it actually look like in countries outside the Old Continent?
Xavier Troussard: The global dimension is essential for the project called New European Bauhaus. Over the past ten months, since it was officially launched, we have seen a growing interest among European stakeholders in a global exchange to engage with the perspectives and experiences of other parts of the world. We have made contact with a number of international organizations and placed two non-Europeans on the High Level Roundtable of the new European Bauhaus. Among our official partners, we have EU-based organizations with international activities and some non-EU organizations such as NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the IIT Institute of Design based in Chicago, USA.
© New European Bauhaus
Dorota Polak: Is it possible to have sustainable development based on three types of factors, cited as economic, social and natural?
Xavier Troussard: Indeed, the NEB is guided by a triangle of three basic, inseparable values, such as sustainability (from climate goals to closed-loop, zero-pollution and biodiversity), aesthetics (including quality of experience and style, in addition to functionality) and inclusion (including diversity, equality for all, accessibility and affordability). The challenge is to address all three values simultaneously to develop creative solutions that best meet people's needs at the lowest overall cost.
One of the nominees for the New European Bauhaus Prize in the category: "Mobilizing Culture, Art and Community" was the Polish project "IF: Social Design for Sustainable Cities." This project is a good example of combining different aspects of sustainability. The project aimed to emphasize that sustainability can only be achieved when culture and creativity, broadly understood, are an important pillar in discourse and decision-making. Its idea was to facilitate interdisciplinary interpersonal exchange on a platform where architects, artists, students, engineers, designers and representatives of (local) government, the EU, business
and civil society could freely network, discuss and share ideas, experience and good practices of sustainable urban development at different levels - from grassroots initiatives to high-level policy.
Dorota Polak: Bauhaus is primarily associated with thinking on a global scale, but what about locally? In Europe, it doesn't seem to be very complicated - the idea and members of the new European Bauhaus mainly come from the Old Continent. But how should one encourage Egyptians, for example? Not every solution can be universal, how to deal with that?
Xavier Troussard: There is no one-size-fits-all solution. One of the key principles guiding the NEB is a "multi-level approach" to transformation - moving from the global to the local. Implementing the new European Bauhaus means reaching out to local areas, according to a territorial approach. This is essential in developing or adapting solutions that truly fit the context and meet both the needs and preferences of the local community. NEB deals with different levels of transformation, from the whole world to neighborhoods, villages and cities. It will build on the strength of its growing global community. To become a truly global movement, it must take into account the full diversity of local realities.
Dorota Polak: And what to make of the controversy over Europe's climate neutrality? The main objection is that it will come at the expense of other continents.
Xavier Troussard: The climate challenge is a global challenge that requires a global response. The EU's commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 is an important contribution. The EU setting a positive example that a transition to climate neutrality is possible while achieving sustainable growth and improving the living conditions of the entire population can become an inspiration for other countries that are not part of it. A key example is renewable energy, the cost of which has fallen sharply, in part because of early and massive deployment in the EU. And this is extremely helpful now, with rising energy prices. The EU is also a trusted global partner in the global fight against climate change. It encourages leading economies to make ambitious transformations, while supporting poorer partners in their climate neutrality efforts.
Dorota Polak: A global mission to save the environment by working together across continents - how do you transfer such a utopian idea to informed local action?
Xavier Troussard: Climate change and environmental degradation bring challenges that must be addressed on a global scale. At the same time, it is at the local level that change is occurring and affecting people. As I said, the initiative, by entering local areas, will grow from the local level, building the strength of local communities. The question, then, is not so much how to transfer the global vision to local actions, but rather how to nurture meaningful, grassroots small-scale actions in different places - which, taken together, will have a significant global impact. Between the various activities and projects, there will be tremendous potential for sharing best practices and mutually beneficial learning experiences.
© New European Bauhaus
Dorota Polak: The Roundtable of the New European Bauhaus was established to carry out reforms, change thinking and share responsibility for combating global warming. The most important and obvious are the protection and survival of future generations. Nevertheless, what is to be the result of the cooperation of all countries? Is creating a fashion for responsibility for the planet the main idea of the new European Bauhaus? Or is there something more?
Xavier Troussard: Today's cross-cutting challenges - from climate change to digitization, on top of that combined with the effects of pandemics and demographic changes - require a new forward-looking paradigm and new concepts, all of which will require collective thinking, knowledge and action. Spreading new concepts also means and strong cooperation with the cultural sector and education. The activation of communities at every level, from the local community to global cooperation, across disciplines and sectors, is essential to succeed in this moment of transformation. The new European Bauhaus can contribute to this, including through the expertise of the High Level Roundtable. The High Level Roundtable consists of 18 individuals, advanced thinkers and practitioners in their field, who serve as ambassadors for the New European Bauhaus community. Roundtable participants exchange views, including with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioners Mariya Gabriel and Elisa Ferreira, on key developments in various fields (creativity, technology, urban planning, social dimensions, etc.).
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