Europski gospodarski i socijalni odbor
On 13 May 2016, the EESC's TEN Section project delegation carried out a study visit in Malaga to gain first-hand knowledge of some of the extremely interesting smart city projects that have been set up in the city. The delegation learned, inter alia, about the "ZeM2All" project (Zero Emissions Mobility to All).
On 4th May 2016, a delegation of EESC Members of the "Transport, energy, infrastructures and information society" section is on mission to the island of Samsø (Denmark), with the objective to evaluate the islands' smart projects developed in the area of energy autonomy.
On 29 April 2016, the EESC's TEN Section project delegation conducted a study visit in La Rochelle to discover some of the inspirational smart city initiatives that have been implemented so far.
The delegation had the opportunity to make a technical visit to find out, inter alia, about the Atlantech project.
The digital revolution is bringing about changes in modes of production and patterns of consumption, in how we understand the world, in how we govern, and even in how we live together in society. The digital economy is, however, a double-edged sword. It presents risks as well as opportunities, and chances for inclusion as well as exclusion; it provides new prospects for growth within our territory, for us as well as for international players preying on our markets.Concrete action is needed to tip the scales on the positive side.
On 20th April 2016, a delegation of EESC Members of the "Transport, energy, infrastructures and information society" section went on mission to the Egadi Islands (IT), with the objective to evaluate the islands' use of local resources. With 54 000 hectares, the Egadi Islands constitute the most important marine reserve of the EU. Welcomed by M Giuseppe Pagoto, Mayor of Favignana and M Stefano Donati, Director of the Protected Marine Area of the Egadi Islands, EESC Members had a fruitful exchange of views with local stakeholders including citizens. The EESC delegation visited four projects developed in the island: a photovoltaic plant managed by the municipality, the Posidonia's pilot project managed by the Protected Marine Area, a marine rescue centre opened to fishermen, the conversion of an old tuna factory into a museum of archaeology supported by the Region of Sicilia, and a project combining water supply and waste reduction.
On 30 March 2016, the EESC's TEN Section project delegation conducted a study visit in Genoa to discover some of the very inspiring smart city initiatives that have been implemented there. The Municipality of Genoa is investing in its ‘vision’ of a city able to recognise and manage its own unique complexities, through the implementation of an intelligent, integrated and sustainable urban system, which identifies and enhances its own cultural, economic, productive and environmental characteristics, thus helping to develop a compatible and attractive natural urban fabric. Genoa has an ‘experimental’ vocation and sees itself as a laboratory in which to develop an innovative and technological approach designed to meet the city’s real needs, including in partnership with other Smart Cities.
On 30 November, the EESC, in cooperation with the Maltese Chamber of Commerce, is organising a conference on "EU industrial policy – does a one-size-fits-all approach work?" The implementation of the EU industrial policy will be discussed, with reference to topics such as innovation, internationalisation and governance. The conference will be an excellent opportunity to analyse the challenges facing Maltese industry in terms of competitiveness. In addition, the event will enable Malta's business and political representatives to speak out their needs and expectations from European and national industrial policies.
The European Economic and Social Committee has started on an exploratory project, whose main objective is to analyze new ways to improve the efficiency of European monetary policy in its impact on industry and real economy, mainly through the collaboration between the European Central Bank and the European Investment Bank.
The main purpose of this project is to collect, elaborate and disseminate information on the legal, technical and economic feasibility of different mechanisms of exchanges of views and cooperation between the Eurosystem and the European Investment Bank (and National Promotional banks and agencies).
Additional dissemination efforts will be the Round Table to be held in Brussels in November 12th and 3 local events in different European regions, one of which is this current event in Bilbao on 20 November 2015.
The Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI), in collaboration with the ECO section, has recently launched a project dedicated to the impact of monetary policy on European industry and, very specifically, on the role of the European Investment Bank in this field.
In this context a round table will be held on 12 November 2015 in Brussels.
This thematic seminar on "the reindustrialisation of Europe: agriculture – food manufacturing, distribution and commerce " will take place in two location: Milan and Bergamo on the 26 and 27 October 2015 in cooperation with the Italian organizations Confcommercio, Confindustria and Coldiretti.
On the 26 October, the first session in Milan will focus on reindustrialisation in relation to international trade and on the 27 October, the second session in Bergamo will focus more on industrial and innovation aspects.
This seminar will also be an opportunity to discuss the Circular economy and new technologies, as well as novel and greening technologies in agriculture. Participants will include: representatives of the Government, the Chamber of Commerce, academics, business representatives as well as 40 Members of the Employers' Group.
