Euroopan talous- ja sosiaalikomitea (ETSK) isännöi 23.–24. maaliskuuta 14. ”Sinun Eurooppasi, sinun mielipiteesi” -tapahtumaa, joka toi Brysseliin 105 opiskelijaa 35 koulusta EU:n 27 jäsenvaltiosta ja seitsemästä ehdokasmaasta. Lukuisat yhteiskunnalliset ja taloudelliset haasteet, kansalaisyhteiskunnan toimintamahdollisuuksien kaventuminen sekä rauhaan ja perusoikeuksiin kohdistuvat uhat huomioon ottaen tämänvuotisen konferenssin aiheeksi oli valittu nuorten demokratiavuoropuhelut. Konferenssin tavoitteena oli varmistaa, että nuoret saavat äänensä kuuluville Euroopan tulevaisuutta muovattaessa. Opiskelijoiden suositukset esitetään Euroopan unionin toimielimille ja korkean tason eurooppalaisille poliittisille päättäjille kesäkuussa 2023.
On 23 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a plenary debate and adopted a resolution entitled "United for Democracy" with concrete proposals to strengthen democracies and democratic values across the European Union. Policymakers, experts, and organised civil society representatives agreed that civic education, better funding to social partners and a focus on the local dimension, are key to democracy in Europe.
The EESC held a debate in plenary on the growing importance of organised civil society and cities in Europe's ability to face asymmetric shocks and unforeseen crises. This was linked to the adoption of two opinions, on Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) and on the Ljubljana Agreement on the Urban Agenda of the EU. The Committee welcomes both initiatives, but finds they miss the bar in terms of properly empowering and involving organised civil society. A key measure proposed by the EESC is to create a separate EU fund for the reconstruction and development of Ukraine to complement the efforts made by the Member States.
In its resolution on the involvement of organised civil society in the implementation and monitoring of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) the European Economic and Social Committee calls for clear rules to effectively involve social partners and civil society organisations in the Member states' strategies to bring the economy back on track.
At a conference, organised by the Diversity Europe Group of the EESC in partnership with Civil Society Europe and with the support of the EESC's Liaison Group and Associational Life Category, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and their umbrella organisations reiterated their call for an EU Civil Society Strategy and a European Statute for Associations. Appropriate follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe and a regular and structured dialogue with CSOs were considered key aspects to rebuilding citizens' trust in politics and strengthening European democracy.
Conference on 'Civil society organisations: Key actors for the future of Europe',organised by the Diversity Europe Group in partnership with Civil Society Europe and with the support of the EESC's Liaison Group and Associational Life Category
Public debate in the ECO Section on the Latest twists and turns on the road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework in the framework of the opinion ECO/682 Multiannual financial framework 2028-2034.
The public hearing will examine how national, local and civil society actors will work together to foster collaboration through partnership principle and multi-level governance in order to deliver more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient outcomes across all regions.
