Ευρωπαϊκή Οικονομική και Κοινωνική Επιτροπή
The EESC trainees with the support of the Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO) and the Directorate B for Legislative Works will host a public meeting aimed at offering a comprehensive approach to biodiversity in day-to-day life by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and, in particular, youth.
This event will provide examples of circular economy (CE) good practices and a forum for discussion to help CE practitioners deal with challenges they come up against. It will demonstrate solutions from industry to tackle climate change, and show examples of approaches to Circular Economy taken at a company level.
At this event, different stakeholders will discuss the need of a fair and just transition and a European Green Deal that leave no one behind. This transition means that the most vulnerable members of society, as well as regions and territories that are in the need of special consideration, have to be involved in decision-making. These aspects will be addressed by the panellists in an interactive discussion.
Can a rights-based approach to climate action as well as embracing nature-based solutions for adaptation and mitigation shift the focus of climate action? How can we ensure that no one is left behind in the transition? The EESC Sustainable Development Observatory hosted a public debate aimed at providing answers to the above questions.
October 2019 marked one year since the launch of the 2018 updated European Bioeconomy Strategy, which put forward an action plan to develop a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. To mark the occasion, and to find out what is happening with local bioeconomies, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission held an event to take stock of progress and to find out what is planned for the next few years.
The conference highlighted the position taken by the EESC in its opinion on the Reflection Paper "Towards a Sustainable Europe by 2030", which was due for adoption in September 2019. The event provided concrete and constructive recommendations to the new European Commission and the new European Parliament.
The Summit brought together governments, the private sector, civil society, local authorities and other international organizations to develop ambitious solutions in six areas, including global transition to renewable energy and sustainable and resilient infrastructures and cities.
As in previous years, the EESC was present at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), from Tuesday, 16 July, to Thursday, 18 July 2019. The HLPF is the United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This public hearing will look at ways to implement the 17 SDGs by addressing social concerns in full synergy with environmental and economic ones, reducing social inequalities and more fairly distributing the burden of transformation towards a sustainable Europe.
The Civil Society Days 2019 will take place at a crucial moment for Europe, namely after the Sibiu Summit and the European elections and ahead of the constitution of the new European Parliament and European Commission.
Current pressures on our democratic systems are threatening fundamental values (respect for human rights, individual liberty, equality, the rule of law) and the civil society space within the European Union. The alarming consequence is an erosion of democracy and restricted civic space in several parts of the EU.
Against this backdrop and in consideration of the transformation processes the EU is facing, namely on economic, energy and ecological, social, and democratic and participatory level, this year's Civil Society Days will focus on two main pillars, Democracy and Sustainability, and will explore their links and interactions.
