European Economic and Social Committee

We all worry about the millions of young skilled people in Europe, ready to enter the labour market, looking for a job. And they often begin their working life, if at all, in precarious, low-paid part-time employment.
From the beginning of my term of office, I have consistently said: yes, Europe is affected by a very serious financial, budgetary, social and political crisis. And, no, I don't think the "crisis" should become some kind of mantra or a structural statement of fact. I want us to focus our attention on solutions; there are solutions! Even on a bike…

“What is a sustainable lifestyle? It should give us warm shelter, feed us in a healthy way, and allow for work and social life, without too much transport,” said one speaker at the EESC conference in February to prepare for the Rio+20 summit on global sustainable development. I am firmly convinced that the challenging times we are facing are an opportunity to promote sustainable consumption. Fundamentally transforming the foundations of the economy is the biggest contribution we can make towards building a sustainable future, where the consumer must play an active role.