Dear readers,

Every year comes with new hopes and dreams and newfound determination to pursue them.

In this new year, I look forward to moving beyond pandemic issues towards the new big challenges that Europe is facing in 2023 and beyond: the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, the green and digital transitions, the changing labour market and a shifting political mood in many parts of Europe.

Given the gloomy economic outlook for Europe this year, Europe must establish correct and clear priorities. This year begins with the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which intends to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine while also focusing on the green transition and improving the EU economy, especially as this year we prepare to celebrate the single market's 30th anniversary.

In addition, 2023 has been proclaimed the European Year of Skills.

A workforce with the skills that are in demand also leads to innovation and ensures that no one is left behind both in economic recovery and in the green and digital transitions. Skills will therefore have a central role to play in meeting Europe's challenges.

While the European Year of Youth has come to an end, our focus on the subject will not. The Committee has prepared several opinions on youth over the past year, and continues advocating for Europe's policies and legislation to be youth-proofed. The European Economic and Social Committee will continue to work toward solutions for young people that also take into account their demand for a better planet.

At COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, in November 2022, the Committee delegation included a youth delegate to represent the voice of young people on issues related to the climate crisis and sustainability. This year, we will continue to call for a stronger role in the negotiations for young people as well as for organised civil society as a whole in order to ensure social justice in the transformation process.

In 2022 our efforts have also been aimed at improving gender equality. The Committee organised a series of events to support the European Parliament's Gender Equality Week, addressing a wide range of topics affecting women, including their role in the social economy, women and energy poverty, domestic violence against women, access to finance for women entrepreneurs, and reproductive and sexual rights. The European Economic and Social Committee is committed to continue working towards gender equality and gender mainstreaming in all policy areas in this new year and beyond. 

With so many challenges ahead, the European Union can only succeed by systemically involving European civil society in decision-making. Hopefully, together we can rise to these challenges. And hopefully, we will also a have a chance in the new year to find once again the security, peace and understanding we had come to take for granted. 
I wish Europe a productive year and I wish you all good health and happiness.

Giulia Barbucci, EESC Vice-President for Budget