We welcome the provisional agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act reached by EU lawmakers. The text enshrines into law several crucial recommendations we made in our opinion of September 2021, such as banning social scoring, irrespective of who performs it. As we stressed back then, there is no place in the EU for such practises.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we spoke to the EESC's Vice President for Budget, Krzysztof Pater, who authored the 2019 information report on the rights of persons with disabilities to vote in European elections
Some 42% of Europe's older population report that age discrimination is prevalent in their country, with ageism peaking in the workplace. As the proportion of people over 65 is set to steadily rise in the coming decades, the EU is in dire need of a comprehensive strategy which will allow for a fundamental change, both in policies and in society's perception of older people
The EESC event "Connecting EU" 2023 seminar dedicated to the upcoming European elections, took place in Bratislava, Slovakia on 23-24 November 2023 and ensured a large presence of women's participation.
In Europe's rural communities, the silent struggle for equality and opportunity for young women is still ongoing. On 22 November, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a debate on gender equality and youth in rural areas during the meeting of its Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment. The event is in line with the EESC's commitment to the Rural Pact and the European Gender Equality Week.
Marking the International Day for the elimination of violence against women on 25 November, EESC member José Antonio Moreno Díaz, rapporteur for the opinion SOC/726 Combatting violence against women, believes that violence against women and girls is a tragedy that is sweeping Europe.
On 21 November, the EESC's Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship held a debate on the issue of violence against women and girls, calling for the local, national, regional and EU level to join forces. Despite years of procrastination, the Commission's proposal to combat violence against women was still watered down by the Council as the majority of Member States are not in favour of including consent-based rape legislation in the directive.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is contributing to the strategic debate on energy infrastructure with a position that is clear and leaves no doubt: discussions must revolve around citizens if we really want them to be a lever for the green and energy transition and to ensure an economic and social balance.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in partnership with the Economic and Social Council of the Slovak Republic, will hold its annual civil society communication seminar – #ConnectingEU2023 – on 23-24 November 2023. This year's theme is "European elections 2024: Why vote?"
