As more and more countries move away from democracy and only seven per cent of the world's population lives in liberal democracies, Europe's self-image is being put to the test. At the university's debate forum, 'Debatt i Lund', journalists and researchers came together to discuss whether the EU's values and soft power still matter - or whether the world has already moved on.
The liberal democracy that the EU stands for, with human rights, the rule of law, individual freedoms and equality as its guiding principles, is in decline. At the same time, Europe is being challenged both externally, by the US, Russia and China, and internally, by growing support for authoritarian ideas.
What is the state of Europe's appeal? Is there still anyone who listens to us and thinks our way of life is something to aspire to?
The question was posed by the moderator of Debatt i Lund, Lars Mogensen, to a panel of journalists Maria Georgieva, a Russia expert, and Martin Gelin, a US expert, as well as researchers Tabita Rosendal, a China expert, and Ian Manners, an expert on the EU as a normative power.
"In the geopolitical landscape we see today, with superpowers such as China, India, the US and Russia, one could speak of a European twilight," says Ian Manners.
He believes that Europe is living on memories of its former superpower status - something that does more harm than good to us in former colonies, where the legacy of the colonial era is still very much alive. But the great danger of placing the world's future in the hands of the superpowers is their lack of interest in tackling the most important issue of our time - climate change. Europe must find its friends elsewhere, he argues, pointing to young, well-educated people, particularly women, as well as minorities who share Europe's view on the planet's most pressing issues.
Maria Georgieva agreed that Europe must become better at championing its own causes:
"Russian disinformation, or Putin himself, is skilled at appearing to be a greater threat than he actually is," says Maria Georgieva.
She believes that knowledge of Russia is, for various reasons, lacking and that this ignorance can be dangerous, as it risks causing European leaders to focus on the wrong things.
"Must get better at utilising soft power"
Martin Gelin also felt that European politicians and journalists focus too much on dystopian scenarios - a future where the far right leads Europe in an increasingly authoritarian direction. Certainly, these forces exist, he points out, but after his years as a correspondent in the US, he also wants to highlight Europe's appeal when it comes to soft power.
"Europe isn't making the most of its soft power. I had to live in the US to understand Europe. Many complain about the welfare state, but even the crumbs of our welfare system are better than what you get in the US. Europe is fantastic and we must fight to preserve it," he said.
Tabita Rosendal was concerned about a future in which university exchanges between China and Europe are declining.
"Neither the Communist Party nor European students are encouraged to take part in exchanges, citing security reasons," she says.
On the question of Europe as a role model, she believed the continent still is in some respects - but not in others.
In China, the view is that Europe has relied too long on past achievements and is therefore now in decline, says Tabita Rosendal.
At the same time, she believes that a European way of life is still a goal for many. But she also argues that European leaders sometimes display what she likens to a colonial attitude:
"We cannot simply lecture others and then offer nothing in return. If we are to be appreciated, we must be a little more 'likeable'."
Overall, the discussion at Debatt in Lund painted a picture of a Europe facing challenges from both outside and within. The question is not only how the outside world views Europe, but how Europe views itself and what role it wishes to play in a world where the balance of power is rapidly shifting.
