This series aims to create a critical space for discussion on a pressing challenge faced by many European democracies today: envisioning the future of the welfare state. In light of social complexity, shifting values, the erosion of mediating institutions, and the emergence of new inequalities within a context of economic constraints affecting the welfare state's foundations, urgent questions arise about freedom, social cohesion, and collective well-being. In a landscape marked by distrust, social polarization, and a multitude of identities coexisting, it's essential to rethink the fundamental principles that support coexistence and the mechanisms that ensure equality of opportunity and social cohesion. The goal is to project a future for society that contrasts with pessimistic, intentionally dystopian narratives. Expert voices from philosophy, economics, psychology, and social sciences will analyze crucial issues such as liberty, social cohesion, mental health, and the role of arts in