Evropský hospodářský a sociální výbor
While Europe and its societies are still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the Conference on the Future of Europe in its closing stages, the EESC will be holding its annual Civil Society Days in March 2022.
EESC will organise a hearing on the benefits of the Outermost regions on 14/12 with the participation of all relevant stakeholders and representatives of civil society. The digital transition, green and blue economy, new forms of agriculture and sustainable recovery after Covid-19 crisis will be critical issues for these regions. The Hearing will take place in the context of the exploratory opinion requested by the upcoming French Presidency of the EU Council with the title ''The benefits of the outermost regions for the EU''
EESC the house of organised civil society is interested in taking into account all views, concerns and proposals from civil society organisations for the new strategic approach for outermost regions.
GDP is the best-known measure of macro-economic activity. While it is used both by policy-makers around the world and in public debates, it was not designed to be a comprehensive measure of prosperity and well-being. Thus, other indicators are needed to assess and address the global challenges of the 21st century such as climate change, poverty, resource depletion and to promote health and a higher quality of life. Beyond GDP indicators should become instruments to not only monitor and measure, but also to inform policy development, improve communication and encourage target setting. Against this background, the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is currently working on an own-initiative opinion on 'Beyond GDP measures for a successful recovery and a sustainable and resilient EU economy'.
Sustainable finance aims at supporting the delivery on the objectives of the European Green Deal by channelling private investment into companies and projects that support the transition to a climate-neutral, climate-resilient, resource-efficient and just economy. The challenges this brings about should be addressed in a joint effort by the financial sector, businesses, regulatory authorities and citizens. The Industry sector will face major challenges, and be affected by recent and upcoming measures adopted at EU level.
In order to reshape the European economy and in line with the objectives stated by the European Commission for a more sustainable, greener and digitalised economy, investments must support environmental goals and remove obstacles to corporate dividend policymaking and payments. Among many other factors, the debt-equity bias in the corporate tax systems affects both the leverage of firms and corporate governance. The EESC welcomes the recent public consultation on a new initiative to mitigate the debt-equity bias in corporate taxation launched by the European Commission and shares the Commission's view that companies should contribute to the achievement of a greener, sustainable and digitalised economy.
The conference "The Anti-Money Laundering Legislative Package" will take stock of the state of play and debate in particular the legislative proposals tabled by the European Commission in July 2021 to strengthen the EU's anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT) rules.
The conference is organised on 5 October 2021, starting at 14:30.
The event is accessible via webstream. No registration is needed, and participation is free of charge.
Both a sustainable economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and the need to address effectively the climate change will require a massive expansion of investments. To achieve this, reshaping the EU fiscal rules is indispensable. Against this background, the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is currently working on an own-initiative opinion on Reshaping the EU Fiscal Framework for a Sustainable Recovery and a Just Transition.
In the framework of the additional opinion on "The Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021", the European Semester Group of the ECO section will organise a public hearing to discuss semester related developments since the original opinion was adopted in February 2021. The event will focus on the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) and collect views of various organisations, national Economic and Social Councils, EU bodies and think tanks on the topic. With this opinion the EESC aspires to contribute to the 2022 European Semester cycle and this hearing is part of a stock taking and forward looking exercise from a civil society perspective.
Strategic foresight is increasingly being embedded into EU policy making. It involves exploring different possible future scenarios and considering the opportunities and challenges connected to them, to contribute to policy action that shapes the future in a way we would like.
The conference will focus on the economic aspects of strategic foresight, and how strategic foresight influences considerations and policy making in public authorities in the EU, and how economic and social actors use foresight in their organisations.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is moving into its next phase, and the European Semester Group of the EESC is following the process. In this high-level conference we will discuss whether the national recovery and resilience plans will deliver as regards the aim of achieving fair, inclusive, competitive and sustainable growth and cohesion through the new growth strategy – the European Green Deal. Focus will be on the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans, with particular attention on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the just transition towards a green, digital and sustainable European economy. The conclusions of this event will be forwarded to EU institutions and the "EU Recovery Summit" conference in Lisbon on 28 June 2021.
