The further construction of Europe is the most effective antidote to the rise of the destructive populism we’ve witnessed across our continent. Only be re-engaging with people and showing the relevance of Europe to everyday concerns can these debilitating pressures be overcome. As with the founding fathers, we must show once again that Europe is the solution to the biggest challenges we face. The opposite – isolation, intolerance and protectionism – are a spiral of decline and a contradiction of the values that mark out Europe’s civilisation. The instruments to push back against such dark forces must start with civil society initiatives such as “Re-Imagine Europa”