Following the European Gender Equality Week organised by the European Parliament (24-30 October), chaired by the Vice-President Evelyn Regner, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) supporting this initiative, is planning a series of thematic debates organised by the various sections.
This hearing will focus on topical questions such as the possible avenues to help MSMEs be well informed and prepared to grasp the opportunities of the transition to climate neutrality, coupling it with the possibilities offered by the digitalisation and hedging the current geopolitical risks. It will also take into consideration the challenges faced by the Belgian companies and the opportunities offered to them if they successfully adjust to the climate neutral and digitalised world.
With the following guests: Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Evelyn Regner, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Prof. Leonardo Meeus, and Pegah Moulana, Advocacy Coordinator at Youth and Environment Europe.
Mini-hearing as part of the study group meeting on Semiconductors
Location
Room VMA3, EESC, Rue Van Maerlant/Van Maerlantstraat 2
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC is currently working on a new opinion document "Strategic autonomy and semiconductors - Addressing structural shortages and strengthening strategic autonomy in the semiconductor ecosystem".
The works are conducted through two meetings of a study group. The rapporteurs are Mr. Anastasis Yiapanis and Mr. Guido Nelissen. When ready, this opinion will be transmitted to European Commission, European Parliament and Council for consideration. Our first meeting will take place on 19 October 2022 (9h30-13h), and during this meeting a mini-hearing will take place with six stakeholders so that they can convey their vision of the semiconductors industry.
The EESC is organising a public hearing on "Climate justice and how it is affecting people with disabilities in Europe and in the world" on 19 October 2022.
Climate justice is a concept that addresses the just division, fair sharing, and equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of climate change and responsibilities to deal with it.
People with disabilities, especially those living in low income countries, are among those most impacted by climate change. In addition, their human rights are most at risk of violation by inappropriate climate action. To avoid this, their meaningful participation in climate policy forums for the development of climate adaptation and mitigation plans is needed.
The aim of the event is to identify necessary steps to reach disability inclusive climate justice.
The 2nd meeting of the EU and the Vietnam Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), so called DAG-to-DAG meeting established under the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, took place on 18 October 2022. This was the first time the members of the respective DAGs met in person, and they exchanged views on the work of the DAGs since the last online meeting in 2021 and discussed the ratification of ILO conventions and global supply chains in the context of due diligence. You may find here the Joint statement. There was also a workshop on the energy transition and the preparations for COP-27.
how to maintain employability, boost productivity and develop skills, especially in SMEs
Location
Rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040
Brussels
Belgium
In order to prepare its own initiative opinion on "Supporting labour market developments", the EESC is organising a remote public hearing on 18 October 2022.
The hearing will seek to answer the following questions:
What are the skills of the future and the challenges in the transformation of work, and of the labour market?
What is the contemporary understanding of the concept of employability?
What is the role of the individual and the stakeholders in the labour market?
Invited speakers include representatives of the EU institutions, the social partners, as well as other civil society organisations.
