Values in Turbulent Times: Navigating Social Changes and Challenges

Abstract

In an era marked by overlapping crises – spanning health, environmental, economic, and geopolitical domains – alongside rapid technological advances, societal values are experiencing unprecedented strain. Prolonged instability, driven by successive crises and profound social shifts, is reshaping citizens’ values, with significant implications for social cohesion and coexistence. In response, this Action aims to establish an interdisciplinary network to advance research on value orientations during periods of crisis and social transformation. The Action will investigate how external disruptions interact with internal social dynamics to reshape values across Europe. Key objectives include: a) analyzing the multifaceted impact of societal crises on citizens’ values, b) contextualizing the role of generational shifts, c) exploring regional and cultural variations, d) identifying cross-cutting themes in value transformation, and e) examining how technological advancements influence these shifts. By applying an interdisciplinary approach and integrating diverse perspectives from both within and beyond academia, the Action will offer a comprehensive understanding of the factors driving value change. This collaborative effort will enhance our understanding of how societies navigate rapid social transformations and external pressures, particularly their effects on citizens’ value systems. Through the creation, transfer, and dissemination of knowledge, the VISTA Action seeks to establish a robust foundation for sustained research on value changes and the critical forces shaping the evolution of social structures and collective behavior.