Programme

Conference "Annual Conference on Fundamental rights and the Rule of Law –The strategic role of civil society in defending EU founding values"

Tuesday, 25 November from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. online & in room VMA22

The sixth EESC FRRL Group's annual conference will provide a platform for debate of the annual EC rule of law report, as well as of the recent country visits carried out by the FRRL Group to Moldova, Romania, Italy, France, Serbia, and Austria[1].

EESC Members, civil society representatives (including social partners), EU institutions and other stakeholders will discuss the main recent developments in the EU in the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law, as well as the EU response notably through the rule of law review mechanism.

This year’s discussions will explore national and European trends in the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law, bearing special attention to socio-economic considerations. Discussions will also touch upon key ongoing or upcoming initiatives such as the integration of a Single Market perspective into the EC rule of law reports, and the future Civil Society Strategy.

Moderator: Florence Ranson, REDComm

09:00 - 09:25 | Online test and coffee

09:25 - 09:30 | Introduction of the conference

09:30 - 10:00 | Part 1 - EU policy developments strengthening fundamental rights, democracy, and the rule of law

09:30 - 10:00 | Keynote speeches 

• Marija Hanževački, Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee

• Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection – online

Q&A

10:00 - 12:30 | A dialogue on: Civil society's role in defending democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law

This conversation will examine how the European Civil Society Strategy, along with CSOs and the EESC, can strengthen democracy, uphold fundamental rights, and promote the rule of law.

The European Civil Society Strategy will seek to strengthen civil dialogue, ensuring that civil society organisations are effectively involved in shaping EU policies, while also giving them the protection and sustainable support they need to carry out their work in a whole-of-society approach. This effort could be developed in synergy with the EESC's existing mandate to represent civil society in the EU legislative process. The Commission’s decision to integrate the Single Market dimension into the Annual Rule of Law Reports recognise that socio-economic conditions are affected by democracy, fundamental rights, the rule of law, and that those subjects are closely intertwined. The EESC and its FRRL Group bring added value by highlighting socio-economic issues and contributing their expertise on these issues. Fostering an alliance between CSOs and social partners reinforces their collective role in safeguarding democracy and strengthening the rule of law.

• Ingrid Bellander Todino, Head of the Fundamental Rights Policy unit, European Commission Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (JUST.C2) – TBC

• Friso Roscam Abbing, Head of Brussels Liaison Office, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

• Piotr Sadowksi, Secretary General of Volonteurope, Co-Chair of the EESC Liaison Group

• Carlotta Besozzi, Director of Civil Society Europe

• Giada Negri, acting co-Secretary General of the European Civic Forum

• Marianna Belalba, Senior Legal Advisor at the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) 

• Elena Crespi, Director for Western Europe at the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and co-Chair of the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN)'s EU Internal Human Rights Policy Working Group

• Stefan Clauwaert, Senior Legal and Human Rights, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

• Pietro Barbieri, EESC Member (IT-Group III/CSOs) 

12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch break (buffet provided by the EESC)

14:00 - 16:10 | Part 2 - Civil society's perspectives on current trends

14:00 - 14:30 | Presentation of the EC[1] and lasts EESC country visits[2]

Q&A

14:30 - 16:00 | A dialogue on: national trends and EU responses

This dialogue will bring together civil society stakeholders who engaged with the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group during its recent visits to Moldova, Romania, Italy, France, Serbia, and Austria, alongside representatives of European-level organisations.

They will share their perspectives on key trends shaping democracy and rights, structured around the FRRL Group’s analytical grid. This grid mirrors the European Commission’s rule of law review framework while adding other elements like a strong socio-economic dimension: the fundamental rights of the social partners, freedom of association and assembly (checks and balances), freedom of expression and media freedom (media), the right to non-discrimination, and the rule of law (justice and corruption). The session will highlight how these themes intersect in practice, and how national developments connect to European responses. 

• Uroš Jovanović, Public Policy Programme Manager, Gradjanske Inicijative – Serbia

• Julie Majerczak, Director of the Brussels Office, Reporters Sans Frontières

• Valeria Carlini, Vice-Director, Italian Council for refugees – Italy

• Andrei Lutenco, Executive Director, Center for Policies and Reforms (CPR) – Moldova

• Otilia Nutu, Policy Analyst, Expert Forum – Romania (online)

• Kersty McCourt, Senior Advocacy Adviser, Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) - online

• Katrien Meuwissen, Team Leader - human rights, European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)

16:00 - 16:10 | Conclusions

• Sara Vassalo Amorim, Policy Officer, European Commission Directorate General for Justice and Consumers, Directorate C (Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law)
• Dovilė Juodkaitė and Paul Soete, Vice-Presidents of the FRRL Group