The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
It also organises several annual initiatives and events with a focus on civil society and citizens’ participation such as the Civil Society Prize, the Civil Society Days, the Your Europe, Your Say youth plenary and the ECI Day.
Here you can find news and information about the EESC'swork, including its social media accounts, the EESC Info newsletter, photo galleries and videos.
The EESC brings together representatives from all areas of organised civil society, who give their independent advice on EU policies and legislation. The EESC's326 Members are organised into three groups: Employers, Workers and Various Interests.
The EESC has six sections, specialising in concrete topics of relevance to the citizens of the European Union, ranging from social to economic affairs, energy, environment, external relations or the internal market.
Representatives of the European and Georgian Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), set up under the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia, held their fourth joint meeting in Brussels on 26 March 2019. The participants followed-up on the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter of the Association Agreement.
2019 will be an election year and the new European Parliament will have very important decisions to make, at a time when everything from the economy to communication and from politics to social trends are being revolutionised on a daily basis.
How do you, as a young person, view these changes, and the opportunities and potential risks they bring, and what future solutions might you have to offer?
If you want to discuss these issues with other students from 33 countries, why not take part in YEYS 2019 by sharing your vision and celebrating with us the 10th anniversary of this event?
With the following debates : The future of Europe in connection with the adoption of the opinions "Listening to the citizens of Europe for a sustainable future (Sibiu and beyond)" and "The future of the EU: Benefits to citizens and respect for European values"; debate on a ECI entitled "Stop extremism"; and the participation of Patrick BERNASCONI, president of the French CESE.
The 5th meeting of the EU-Georgia Domestic Advisory Group took place on 18 March 2019 in Brussels. Please click on the programme tab to consult the topics on the agenda.
Joint Conference of the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Rural Parliament
Meeting room JDE 51, Rue Belliard, 99
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC's Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) and the European Rural Parliament (ERP) organise a joint, web-streamed event on "Making rural areas the engines of a sustainable Europe" on 14 March 2019 on EESC premises from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
At its hearing of the 13 March, the Study Group on the Inclusion of the Roma will be discussing the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and how this can translate into a benefit for the Roma community.
The hearing will give a general overview of what the EPSR envisages for education, employment, housing and healthcare. It will then look at the possibilities and opportunities that the principles of the Pillar can bring to alter the situation of the Roma. The hearing will feature as discussion on the real consideration that the Pillar gives to the Roma and suggest ways through which the Roma can be integrated in the Pillar.
The European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will host the 2019European Circular Economy StakeholderConference on March 6 and 7 in Brussels.
Day 1, to be hosted by the Europan Commission, will explore the action plan as a successful framework for the transition, while discussing policies to capitalise on the current global momentum. It will also widen the discussion to consider the circular economy as an enabler to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Day 2 will be hosted by the EESC and is being prepared jointly with the Coordination Group members of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform. This day will feature eight different participatory workshops, whose purpose is to share successes and identify new challenges.
Chimes Bar, Wakefield MDC, Town Hall, Wakefield, WF1 2HQ
Wakefield
United Kingdom
During the energy transition towards the low-emission economy, the EU energy system faces a period of profound technological, economic and social change that will affect many of the energy sectors, including the coal industry and hence the coal-mining regions of the EU. However, the currently active coal-mining regions have to prepare for the phasing-out of coal production to be in line with EU energy and climate policy decisions on fossil fuel use or for economic reasons.
During the meeting, the EU DAG discussed with a representative of the European Commission the progress in work on implementation of the EU-Canada CETA. The Group also exchanged views with a representative of the Canada Mission to the EU. A discussion round on the work programme was also held.