Navigation
HomePage Banners
Press Releases
-
4 Oct 2012
Defending the social enterprises in Europe: A social model and millions of jobs at stake Social Europe can be translated into business opportunities and much-needed job creation. In the current crisis situation, where the number of people without a job or access to economic resources is steadily increasing, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) wants to strengthen growth, employment and competitiveness, through social enterprises while creating a more inclusive society that is in line with the Europe 2020 strategy.
Social Europe can be translated into business opportunities and much-needed job creation. In the current crisis situation, where the number of people without a job or access to economic resources is steadily increasing, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) wants to strengthen growth, employment and competitiveness, through social enterprises while creating a more inclusive society that is in line with the Europe 2020 strategy.
At the Conference Social Enterprises and the Europe 2020 Strategy: Innovative solutions for a sustainable Europe, held on 3 October in Brussels, the Various Interest Group of the EESC analysed the present and future of social enterprises in Europe. "Social enterprises have proven to be more resilient in the current crisis, and should therefore play a key role in Europe's exit strategy from the crises while contributing to a faster and fairer recovery. We call on national and European policy-makers to politically support the social economy and social enterprises, and to create a level-playing field which will unleash the potential of this key economic sector", stated Luca Jahier, President of the EESC Various Interests Group.Related Documents
Press release: Defending the social enterprises in Europe: A social model and millions of jobs at stake
Related Groups
Various Interests' GroupRelated EESC Figures
Group III PresidentRelated Events
Social enterprises and the Europe 2020 strategy: innovative solutions for a sustainable EuropeTags
-
3 Oct 2012
Launch of the first EU-Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee On 2 October 2012, the European Economic and Social Committee hosted the first meeting of the EU-Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), a consultative body with the task of monitoring the negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the European Union and channelling civil society's contribution to the process. The JCC called on the Government of Montenegro to take action to combat corruption and organised crime and to make improvements in the areas of media freedom, the rights of sexual minorities and domestic violence.
Speakers at the event included H.E. Aleksandar Pejović, State Secretary and Chief Negotiator for the negotiations on Montenegro's accession to the EU, Ms Alexandra Cas-Granje, European Commission Director responsible for relations with the candidate countries for EU accession, and Mr Charles Tannock, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for Montenegro.
The JCC welcomed the opening of accession negotiations between the EU and Montenegro, which were officially launched on 29 June 2012. The members of the JCC expressed their satisfaction with the new pattern for the negotiations, with a strong emphasis on the most sensitive chapters, i.e. chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security). The participants called on the Government of Montenegro to take action to combat corruption and organised crime and to make use of civil society's expertise when drafting measures in these areas.Related Documents
Press release: Launch of the first EU-Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee
Related Sections
REX SectionRelated Themes
External Relations - Enlargement/EUNeighboursRelated Events
1st meeting of the EU-Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative CommitteeRelated Sub Themes
Montenegro -
25 Sep 2012
A clear message for the October summit: Step up for Europe The European Economic and Social Committee President, Staffan Nilsson, gave a clear message today to the next European Council: step up for Europe! Step up to restore trust in the economy and its financial structures. Step up to promote confidence in a comprehensive and dynamic European growth model. Step up to ensure legitimacy in the EU decision-making process. Step up to reach out to citizens and offer hope in the European project.
These were the EESC President's summary conclusions at the end of a packed and high-level EESC conference today on Europe 2020 and how the strategy must step up and meet the needs of today and tomorrow's Europe. "More Europe makes economic sense. More Europe and Europe 2020 go together, they are mutually reinforcing" stressed Staffan Nilsson, and together with civil society representatives from throughout Europe called for decisive steps towards an Economic, Social and Political Union. This is meant to effectively pool resources, mutualise risks and leverage up job-intensive growth and the alleviation of poverty.Related Documents
Press release: A clear message for the October summit: Step up for Europe
Related Sections
ECO SectionRelated Themes
Europe 2020Related Events
Step up for a stronger Europe – Civil society in the 2020 strategyTags
-
25 Sep 2012
The cost of non-Europe On 18 September 2012, the EESC adopted an opinion on the cost of non-Europe, an issue which has resurfaced on the European agenda not only because it is important in mapping a way out of the financial crisis, but also because it is crucial to the success of the Europe 2020 strategy and the next Multiannual Financial Framework. It is a useful perspective from which to take forward the debate on pursuing European integration at a time of rising anti-European sentiment among citizens, growing populism and extremism.
The idea of the cost of non-Europe is not new; in 1988, Paolo Cecchini drew up a study for the European Commission on the cost of non-Europe in relation to the single market, which played a decisive role in the implementation of economic and monetary union. In its opinion Towards an updated study of the cost of non-Europe, the EESC is now proposing that Mr Cecchini's study be revamped to reflect current circumstances: the cost of incomplete integration in the context of the economic crisis.Related Documents
Press release: The cost of non-Europe
Related EESC Figures
Former Group 1 President Henri Malosse, George Dassis - Group II President, Group III PresidentRelated Sections
ECO SectionRelated Sub Themes
Single MarketRelated Events
Step up for a stronger Europe – Civil society in the 2020 strategy -
24 Sep 2012
EESC: protect posted workers without penalising companies The European Economic and Social Committee welcomes the Commission's proposal for an enforcement directive on the posting of workers. The message is clear: protect posted workers without neglecting the needs of businesses.
Better cooperation
Following the Commission proposal of last March on the enforcement directive on the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, on 19 September the EESC adopted its position on the subject. The EESC opinion, drafted by Thomas Janson (Workers' Group, Sweden), welcomes the Commission's goal of focusing on better implementation and effective administrative cooperation among Member States. At the same time, it stresses the importance of guaranteeing the protection of posted workers, respecting the various labour market models in the Member States and discouraging social dumping and unfair competition.
Cross-border trade and services
In the EESC's view, in order to promote the transnational provision of services in a climate of fair competition, it is important to have equal minimum conditions of employment according to national laws and collective agreements. At the same time, since increasing the scope for cross-border trade is important for the development of the internal market, the directive should aim at preventing unnecessary administrative costs that place burdens on companies.
Liability in subcontracting
The EESC believes that the question of liability in subcontracting is a crucial point in the proposed directive. The Commission is asked to clarify the meaning of "due diligence" that exempts companies from liability. The directive must respect existing systems for several and joint liability in the Member States and countries that do not have such systems are strongly recommended to introduce them following consultation with the social partners.Related Documents
Press release: EESC: protect posted workers without penalising companies
Related Groups
Workers' GroupRelated Events
Plenary session 18-19 September 2012 -
24 Sep 2012
EESC seeks practical progress with implementation of EU Package of Rights for Victims, following vote at European Parliament Once the provisions are finally adopted at EU level later this year, the European Commission needs to work with Member State governments on implementing the measures in their countries, says the EESC.
Kathleen Walker Shaw, the EESC Member responsible for drafting the Committee's opinion on the package of measures, together with other EESC colleagues, met European Commission officials today to discuss what needs to be done to ensure that the positive new measures become a working reality.
Ms Shaw and other EESC colleagues have been providing ongoing support to one victim’s mother, Maggie Hughes, to ensure that her voice is heard at European level highlighting the plight currently faced by victims and their families. They were instrumental in introducing Maggie Hughes to Vice-President Viviane Reding before the launch of the proposals to ensure that the EU Commission had a clear insight into the challenges victims and their families face. Ms Reding was so inspired by Ms Hughes' courage, drive and energy to improve victims’ rights across the EU that she has referred to her several times at press conferences and in the plenary sessions of the European Parliament and other institutions where the proposals have been debated. The President of the EESC Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Section, Leila Kurki, also commented that Ms Hughes' presentation to EESC Members had a major impact and that tangible measures must follow.Related Documents
Press release: EESC seeks practical progress with implementation of EU Package of Rights for Victims, following vote at European Parliament
Related Sections
SOC SectionRelated Themes
Social AffairsRelated Events
Plenary session 18-19 September 2012 -
18 Sep 2012
EESC slates harmful ads and pushes for balance of e-commerce and kids' safety In a bid to protect children against harmful advertising and damaging online content, the European Economic and Social Committee at its plenary session today called for specific regulations to be put in place.
At its plenary session of 18 and 19 September, the EESC adopted two opinions on advertising aimed at children, the internet and social media.
"More and more often, children, including very young children, have access to a television and the internet alone and unsupervised. 38% of children between the ages of 9 and 12 already have an online profile, and this figure rises to 78% for 13-16 year olds. We need to monitor this new reality," said Jorge Pegado Liz, rapporteur for the EESC opinion on advertising aimed at young people and children.Related Documents
Press release: EESC slates harmful ads and pushes for balance of e-commerce and kids' safety
Related Sections
SOC SectionRelated Themes
Social AffairsRelated Events
Plenary session 18-19 September 2012 -
17 Sep 2012
The cost of non-Europe and the protection of children from advertising tops agenda of the next EESC plenary session On 18 and 19 September, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will hold its next plenary session. Opinions to be adopted include the cost of non-Europe, the protection of children from harmful advertising, and the future statute for a European foundation. The plenary session will also include a debate on trade, growth and development, with the participation of Karel de Gucht, and will be attended for the first time by eight Croatian observers representing business associations, trade unions and other stakeholders.
Venue: Charlemagne building, second floor, De Gasperi room - Brussels
Start: Tuesday, 18 September
3.00 p.m. Debate with Karel De Gucht, European Commissioner for Trade
4.00 p.m. Statements by Laurence Parisot, President of MEDEF (French Confederation of Business Enterprises) and John Evans, General Secretary of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC), as part of a discussion on "Organised civil society in global governance".
For further information, click here.Related Documents
Press release: The cost of non-Europe and the protection of children from advertising tops agenda of the next EESC plenary session
Related Sections
ECO Section, INT Section, SOC SectionRelated Events
Plenary session 18-19 September 2012 -
12 Sep 2012
EESC President’s Statement on the State of the Union "What was inevitable has now been said: for the future of the EU, we must not be afraid to speak of a federation of nation-states and we must continue to deepen cooperation. Let us build it together and have the courage to turn a challenge into an opportunity. Europe needs vision and strong leadership. Mr Barroso has shown vision and leadership today in his State of the Union speech", states Mr Staffan Nilsson, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, in response to the European Commission's State of the Union address in the European Parliament today.
A clear vision enables the EU to restore sustainable and job-rich growth. We need all twenty-seven Member States around the table, showing strong commitment. We must win the battle of opinion. For this, Europeans must be convinced that the EU is a fertile ground for the creation of a modern continent with high quality of life and strong common values.
A robust banking and budgetary union would allow competitiveness, avoid moral hazard and would foster responsibility and compliance. Europe’s redress measures must be aimed at consolidation and the balancing of investment. Greening the economy means combining innovation, investment and economic modernisation with reductions in the use of scarce natural resources. In this way we can improve European competitiveness and resilience in the long term while triggering growth and creating employment in the short term. Close European cooperation is needed in these areas. By way of example, the EESC has been calling for the establishment of a European Energy Community as a cost-efficient means to restore EU growth.Related Documents
Press release: EESC President’s Statement on the State of the Union
Related EESC Figures
Staffan Nilsson (2010-2013) -
11 Sep 2012
Digital Agenda under discussion in Latvia In a bid to assess the growth-boosting impact of new technologies and to map out the development of Latvia's digital economy, a group of European and national decision-makers, business and civil society representatives will be meeting in Riga tomorrow (12 September) for a one-day conference entitled "Going Local Digital Agenda". Anna Maria Darmanin, EESC Vice-President, will deliver a key-note speech on how to ensure a fair and inclusive information society.
Follow the event on webstreaming: http://skaties.riga.lv/pasakums.html
The event, which will be held at Riga City Council's meeting hall, will begin at 9 a.m. It will be opened by Daniels Pavļuts, Latvia's Minister for the Economy, Dr. Signe Bāliņa, President of the Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association, Dr. Gundars Strautmanis, President of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dr. Inna Šteinbuka, Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia.Related Documents
Press release: Digital Agenda under discussion in Latvia
Related EESC Figures
Former EESC Vice-President Anna-Maria Darmanin
News
RSS Feed
- 15 May 2013 Meeting with the French President, François Hollande
- 15 May 2013 Kick off Donors' conference for Mali
- 13 May 2013 The EESC European Award for Excellent Design and Sustainability 2013
- 3 May 2013 Penalty for the SNCM an inconsistent decision, says EESC President Henri Malosse
- 8 Apr 2013 Gender balance on company boards: Madi Sharma presents the EESC's work
