Association Management in the 2010s: From Crisis to Crisis

Association Management in Times of Turbulent Change

Welcome to this blog celebrating Lejeune’s 60th anniversary. In the run-up to the anniversary conference on Thursday 31st October, we have published a series of blogs, reflecting on the six decades of Lejeune Association Management. For each decade, we will discuss the context of world history, economic, social, and governance developments, and how our office has continuously evolved in response to these changes.

Part 7 - The 2010s: From Crisis to Crisis Rapid changes in political, geographical, ecological, and technological dynamics

The second decade of the new millennium was defined by economic and political crises. Following the 2008–2009 credit crisis came the Souvereign debt crisis, which strained trust in the euro and the European Union. ECB President Mario Draghi's "Whatever it takes" speech in 2012 helped restore some confidence, but this was soon tested again by the refugee crisis, triggered by unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, and by terrorist attacks in Europe.

While refugees were initially welcomed, sentiment quickly shifted, contributing to the rise of populism and Euroscepticism alongside economic uncertainty and fears of globalisation. Social media amplified societal polarisation through algorithms that deepened divides between groups. Confidence in European cooperation was further eroded by Brexit and Donald Trump’s election in 2016. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and growing unrest in Eastern Ukraine, culminating in the tragic downing of flight MH17, cast a shadow over events to come in the 2020s. Tensions with Turkey also increased as its attitude towards Europe shifted.

Meanwhile, significant ecological challenges demanded ambitious agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord and the European Green Deal. The Fourth Industrial Revolution brought technological innovations like robotics, the Internet of Things, and AI, often linked to sustainability. Cloud computing became the norm, introducing new challenges in cyber security.

In the labour market, the first wave of baby boomers began retiring in an ageing society, while millennials took on increasingly important roles. New professions and work models emerged, and sector associations adapted by transforming into modern, open platforms and online communities focused on collaboration and dialogue with members, stakeholders, and policymakers.

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From European Integration to a Europe of Contradictions

At the dawn of the new millennium, the optimism of the 1990s began to fade, especially after the 2008–2009 credit crisis. Governments had to take drastic measures to prevent a financial system collapse, leading to the nationalisation of banks in the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands around 2010.

The situation worsened when it became apparent that national governments in countries like Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and especially Greece might default on their financial obligations. Initially, differences between Eastern and Western Europe were highlighted during the EU expansions of 2004 and 2007. However, tensions later arose between Northern and Southern Europe, particularly after the Greek government was placed under the supervision of the 'Troika' (European Commission, ECB, IMF). Attention then shifted back to East-West tensions over refugee reception. European solidarity came under severe strain, especially following Brexit in 2016 and the rise of populist parties advocating for other countries to 'exit' the EU.

Soft Power and the ‘Brussels Effect’

These crises underscored the interdependence of EU member states and the need for further cooperation. Despite the growing disconnect between Brussels and European citizens, the influence of EU legislation continued to expand both within and beyond the EU. Dutch historian Rob de Wijk, in his book The Battle for Europe: How China and Russia Divide Our Continent, describes the so-called ‘Brussels Effect,’ where countries and companies outside Europe align with EU regulations to gain access to the European market, the largest and wealthiest in the world.

In an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape, the EU’s 'soft power' became a significant factor. One example is the Ethanol REACH Association, established in 2008 to help the industry comply with the stringent registration requirements of REACH, the European chemical law. By 2018, REACH had become a 'de facto' standard for countries outside the EU, including South Korea, Turkey, and now also the UK, serving as a model for others.

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