9.00 a.m.  Registration and coffee

9.30 a.m.  Opening address

  • Luca Jahier, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC): “rEUnaissance: Dare a sustainable Europe”

9.40 a.m.  Keynote speeches

  • Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council, Minister of State and President of the European Policy Centre: “Economic and political challenges at European level”
  • Ulla Engelmann, Head of Unit for Advanced Technologies, Clusters, and Social Economy, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission: "Social economy inspiring new business models"
  • Juan Manuel Sinde Oyarzabal, Arizmendiarrieta Foundation President: “From the Mondragón experience towards an inclusive-participatory company model for Europe”

Questions & Answers

11.00 a.m.  Coffee break

11.15 a.m.  Panel: What steps should be taken at EU level to promote a more inclusive and ethical business model and reduce inequalities?

Moderator: Isabel Caño Aguilar, Vice-President in charge of Communication, EESC

  • Sven Giegold, MEP
  • Juan Antonio Pedreño, President of Social Economy Europe
  • Gonçalo Lobo Xavier, EESC member and representative of Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP)
  • José María Zufiaur Narvaiza, EESC member and representative of the Spanish General Workers' Union (UGT-Spain)
  • Carlos Trias Pintó, EESC member and representative of the Spanish Council of Consumers and Users

Questions & Answers

12.45 p.m.  Closing remarks

  • Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General of DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

  Participants can speak in English, French and Spanish and listen to English and French.