Despite the general progress on gender equality, at this pace it will take more than a century for women to become equal to men in Europe, says the EESC
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has urged the European Union and its Member States to put gender equality at the top of their political agenda amid concerns that recent attacks on women's rights in Europe might seriously compromise progress towards equality between men and women.
EESC puts forward proposal to increase their contributions. The bioeconomy is a crucial factor in fighting climate change, responding to the growing food demand and boosting rural areas. In its opinion on the Updating of the Bioeconomy Strategy, adopted at its plenary session of 15 May, the EESC calls for better support for SMEs in the form of advice and access to finance
The single market has been a great achievement. The EU needs to make sure citizens are aware that many of the very real benefits they have enjoyed in the past 25 years as consumers, business owners or workers are the result of the single market. This will help rally the support needed to make it fit for the digital era, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) argues in its response to the European Commission's assessment of the state of play of the single market.
Energy, transport and services of general interest, combined with the digital revolution, can drive European growth in a sustainable and all-inclusive way. This was the message of the hearing that was held on 22 May 2019 by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN).
The development of artificial intelligence in Europe should be as broadly inclusive as possible, the EESC says in its assessment of the European Commission's Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence. Policy should ensure civil society reaps the numerous benefits of AI while minimising risks such as the manipulation of democratic processes.
The UN's Global Compact for Migration was on the agenda of the hearing held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 2 May 2019, where a number of stakeholders met to discuss its implementation. EESC members José Antonio Moreno Díaz and Séamus Boland insisted that the complex topic of migration needed to be better explained to the public at large, underlining that civil society had an essential role to play.
EESC resolution urges civil society to turn out in force at European elections and vote for a united Europe
The EESC's plenary session on 15 May adopted a resolution calling on all EU citizens to turn out at the forthcoming European elections and vote in favour of a united Europe. The Committee also invited civil society organisations to join efforts to mobilise voters. Read the full text here.
The European Economic and Social Committee believes that aging in dignity should become a fundamental right. Europeans live longer, and this is good news. But with aging, new social, economic and health-related challenges are emerging which affect both the elderly and their families and societies. For too long this topic has been neglected and the growing needs of older people not anticipated, says the EESC. In its opinion, the EESC highlights the enormous potential older people represent for new jobs and technological progress.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling upon the EU and its Member States to develop strategic policy measures aimed at drawing citizens closer to the European project by strengthening their knowledge about the EU and its achievements, values and rights.
Building up a more sustainable and resilient European economy and completing Economic and Monetary Union should be priorities for the next European Commission and European Parliament: these points emerged from a public hearing held by the European Economic and Social Committee on 12 April 2019.
