News

  • Climate change mitigation and cross-sectoral climate issues were the focus of the thematic debate held as part of the TEN section's monthly meeting on 22 November 2017. Civil society organisations should have a central role in the negotiation and implementation of UN climate change agreements, highlighted the EESC members taking part in recent COP meetings on climate change.

  • But a systemic change in society requires people to move from fear to hope, an EESC conference reveals

  • The successful integration of third-country nationals into the European Union's labour markets should be seen as a real opportunity for society as a whole, and the measures taken in this regard could be used to create better opportunities for all citizens and especially for other disadvantaged groups such as minorities and the long-term unemployed, revealed a conference held this month at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

  • The EESC President Georges Dassis visited the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council (ESC) in Sofia. He met with the members of the Plenary Session of the ESC and talked to them about the priorities of Europe and the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

  • EESC reinforces debate on disincentives to tax avoidance and evasion with organised civil society and relevant stakeholders

  • Ukraine

    The EU-Ukraine Civil Society Platform (CSP) held its 5th meeting in Kyiv on 15 November. In its final declaration, the members welcomed the full entry into force of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement as of September 2017, and called upon the EU and the Ukrainian government to ensure its complete and timely implementation.

  • The Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU would work for a stable, secure and solidarity-based Europe. Each measure would be guided by the principle of unity and solidarity amongst Member States, said the Bulgarian Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Biser Petkov, during a debate in Sofia with members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The discussion focused on the priorities of the future Bulgarian presidency. There would be three main overarching themes of the presidency: consensus, competitiveness and cohesion, added Mr Petkov.

  • Farmers home and field

    EESC calls for flexible and effective support programmes from the Commission and Member States

    Better rural development is possible, and local people are willing to deliver, but they need a support. EU and national authorities need to empower villages and small towns with new programmes that are flexible enough to be adapted to the diverse needs of Europe's rural areas. Positive examples should be promoted – for instance through a yearly celebratory day – in order to encourage other communities. With its opinion "Villages and small towns as catalysts for rural development", adopted at its last plenary session, the EESC wants to contribute to a revitalisation of Europe's rural areas.

  • © European Union  , 2016    /  Source: EC - Audiovisual Service     /   Photo: François Walschaerts

    The Commission’s new programme on youth volunteering could foster European solidarity, but needs fresh funds, says the EESC

  • 2018 will be the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH), and the European Economic and Social Committee will invite pupils from all over Europe to Brussels in order to get their opinion on the best way to engage European youth in the protection and promotion of our common cultural heritage. The Committee is also interested in the pupils’ fresh views on the relationship between culture, democracy and peace.
    The EESC, as the voice of civil society, is eager to ensure that the ideas of Europe’s younger generation are heard.