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President Röpke in Moldova: Disinformation is a weapon for foreign powers to harm our societies

Gosio Paola — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:00:03 +0000

The EESC President Röpke discussed the fight against disinformation with the Moldovan government, civil society, and local activist in Gagauzia, a region particularly affected by Russian disinformation. He also officially presented the EESC initiative to integrate the representatives of the EU candidate countries, including from Moldova, in the work of the Committee.

EESC President Oliver Röpke signs the La Hulpe Declaration: European Pillar of Social Rights must remain a top priority for the EU and its candidate countries

Gosio Paola — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:19:18 +0000

During today's signing ceremony, President Röpke stressed the importance of promoting social rights and inclusive policies in the EU and candidate countries through the European Pillar of Social Rights. A fair and equitable society requires commitment and investment, he said.

Harvesting hope: The realities of seasonal and migrant workers in agri-food value chain

Aikaterini Serifi — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:21:37 +0000

Employment in agriculture has been steadily declining over the last 15 years. The agri-food industry relies heavily on the contributions of seasonal and migrant workers to meet the demands of planting, harvesting, and processing crops. The current situation, best practices, opportunities, and the state of play of European policies on seasonal and migrant workers were discussed at a seminar organised by SafeHabitus and hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference 2024

Aikaterini Serifi — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 14:49:09 +0000

The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference will take place on 15 and 16 April 2024 in Brussels with a twist! This year, Europe's top circular economy conference is joining forces with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and with the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF)T

How to ensure food democracy in EU food policy?

Aikaterini Serifi — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:36:20 +0000

The European Economic and Social Commitee (EESC) organized a parallel session on Food Democracy during the Open Food Conference held in Leuven from the 11th to the 13th of March 2024, in the context of Belgium's presidency of the Council of the EU.

A strong EU wind industry is vital for environmental, economic and social well-being

Marco PEZZANI — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:59:12 +0000

In an opinion adopted at its March plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) underlines that wind power is a key component of the green transition, pointing out the need for expanded and modernised energy grids, socio-environmental criteria in auctions and comprehensive public participation.

Charting Europe's Forests: EESC recommendations for sustainable monitoring and planning

Aikaterini Serifi — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:03:05 +0000

In response to the European Commission's proposals for a comprehensive forest monitoring framework, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued an opinion which includes cautious welcomes, recommendations, and calls for further review. The EESC emphasizes the need for sustainability, inclusivity, and respect for property rights in the proposed forest data system, while also urging attention to technical limitations and judicial considerations.

The 2024 EU elections at the heart of the European Economic and Social Committee's March plenary

Thomas Kersten — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:31:09 +0000

Join us at the European Economic and Social Committee's March plenary in Brussels on March 20-21, 2024, where the 2024 EU elections will be at the forefront of discussions. Featuring key debates on topics such as the future of the Single Market, insights into the 2024 European Elections through a Civil Society Lens, discussions on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and crafting a strong social strategic agenda for Europe.

The EU will be more competitive by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises

Marco PEZZANI — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:13:19 +0000

During its February plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) took a firm stance in favour of creating a better business environment for Europe’s SMEs: EU legislation must “think small first” and cut superfluous red tape.

EESC CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: POVERTY HAS A WOMAN'S FACE

Laura LUI — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:37:52 +0000

Unequal care burden, gender pay and pension gap or cultural stereotypes and norms still make poverty more female than male

European Economic and Social Committee, European Parliament and European Committee of Regions representatives urge the Commission not to delay the Water Resilience Initiative

Giorgia BATTIATO — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:20:51 +0000

In a joint response to the European Commission's postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative, representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the MEP Water Group of the European Parliament (EP) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) have sent an open letter to Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, asking the Commission to adopt a comprehensive approach to water and reiterating their call for an EU Blue Deal.

EESC Civil Society Prize award ceremony: Creative projects from Finland, Ireland, Italy and Slovakia contend for first prize

Laura LUI — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 07:24:52 +0000

On 7 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will award its 14th Civil Society Prize, dedicated to mental health, to five non-profit projects: two from Finland and one each from Italy, Ireland and Slovakia.

Shielding EU economic security by strengthening competitiveness and EU businesses

Amalia TSOUMANI — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:37:15 +0000

With geopolitical tensions rising and global economic ties and dependencies posing an array of severe risks to open economies, Europe needs to address its economic security. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the proposal put forward by the Commission for a European Economic Security Strategy. However, the EESC underlines that the EU needs to strengthen its competitiveness, ensuring a well-functioning, more complete single market. At the same time, the Committee calls for EU businesses and other relevant civil society players to be involved in further developing and implementing this strategy.

EESC insists on tackling microplastic pollution from plastic pellets

Aikaterini Serifi — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:26:45 +0000

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental concern, with its detrimental impact reaching far and wide across ecosystems and human health. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) acknowledges the urgency of addressing the issue and supports the European Commission’s proposal to regulate microplastic pellet operations and emissions.

Time to have a large scale European defence industrial programme

Katharina Radler — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:34:24 +0000

Article by Antonello Pezzini, Delegate of the EESC Consultative Commission on Industrial Change

Last January, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton reiterated the need to consolidate an internal defence market to ensure our security. ‘We started with munitions for Ukraine’, he stated. ‘We now need to broaden this approach to include a large-scale European defence industrial programme capable of supporting the expansion of the European industrial base and developing the infrastructure needed to protect contested areas’.

The European Economic and Social Committee has had the opportunity to reiterate, on numerous occasions, the need to support the launch of a European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) aimed at creating an interoperable and integrated common defence system.

Study visit to European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Lisbon on 1 February 2024

Muhammad Imran khan — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:24:36 +0000

A group of TEN Section members was sent in a study visit to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on 1 February 2024. A very fruitful and interesting discussion took place on the EESC opinions on the Maritime Safety Package adopted in September 2023, the decarbonization of maritime transport, and working conditions of seafarers.

Prisoner dignity – Statement by EESC Group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law (FRRL)

Roland Nellissen — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 15:35:38 +0000

The EESC believes in the firm principle that all prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings.

From Foreign Threats to Local Fears: Unpacking the EU’s Democracy Package

Giorgia BATTIATO — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:29:20 +0000

In a recent public hearing, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) examined the European Commission’s Defence of Democracy Package aimed at increasing the transparency of interest representation, reinforcing the resilience of elections and improving civil and civic participation. Representatives of civil society supported the overall spirit of the proposal but raised concerns about the narrow focus of the Directive on foreign influence and its potential repercussions on civic space in Europe.

The European Economic and Social Committee calls for the role of Foresight Vice-President to be kept up under the next European Commission

Marco PEZZANI — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:01:15 +0000

The foresight portfolio has enabled the European Commission to forge closer ties with civil society organisations, making it easier to take their views on board and turning EU future policy planning into a genuine participatory tool.

The present and future of European agriculture from the organised civil society perspective

Aikaterini Serifi — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:35:36 +0000

While deploring all acts of violence, the European Economic and Social Committee's (EESC) NAT Section, which deals with agriculture, rural development and the environment, expresses solidarity with and support for farmers, who have seen their incomes reduced and livelihoods undermined following decades where farmers' views have not been taken into consideration, where decision-making processes (at EU level and in trade agreements negotiations) have not involved them and where the budget made available has not been aligned with sustainability objectives.