Press releases

  • Reference number
    18/2023

    The president vows to make the European Economic and Social Committee a true civil society gateway and open its doors to the EU accession countries. In the run-up to the 2024 European elections, the Committee will take on a more active role to stand up for democracy and strive for a more resilient, prosperous and inclusive Europe.

  • Reference number
    17/2023

    Speaking at an event marking 30 years of the single market, Mr Monti said this anniversary afforded an opportunity for EU institutions to call out the European Council and expose national governments' attempts to hide behind the imperfections of the single market while paying lip service to it.

  • Reference number
    16/2023

    Op 23 en 24 maart is bij het Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité (EESC) de veertiende editie van Jouw Europa, jouw mening! (YEYS!) gehouden. Voor dat evenement kwamen 105 leerlingen van 35 scholen uit de 27 landen van de EU en de zeven kandidaat-lidstaten in Brussel bijeen. Gezien de vele maatschappelijke en economische uitdagingen, de krimpende ruimte voor het maatschappelijk middenveld en de bedreiging van de vrede en de grondrechten, stond de conferentie dit jaar in het teken van de “Dialoog met jongeren over democratie”. Jongeren moeten namelijk hun zegje kunnen doen wanneer de toekomst van Europa wordt uitgestippeld. De aanbevelingen van de scholieren zullen in juni 2023 aan de Europese instellingen en aan hooggeplaatste EU-beleidsmakers worden voorgelegd.

  • Reference number
    15/2023

    On 23 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a plenary debate and adopted a resolution entitled "United for Democracy" with concrete proposals to strengthen democracies and democratic values across the European Union. Policymakers, experts, and organised civil society representatives agreed that civic education, better funding to social partners and a focus on the local dimension, are key to democracy in Europe.

  • Reference number
    14/2023

    At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva, president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Ambassador Stoeva strongly supported the key role civil society must play in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

  • Reference number
    13/2023

    At its plenary session in March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a debate with Italy's Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Marina Elvira Calderone, on making EU labour markets stronger and more inclusive. The EESC reiterated its support for the European Commission's proposal to strengthen national equality bodies, which are entrusted with promoting equality for all and combating discrimination in employment.

  • Reference number
    12/2023

    At the European Economic and Social Committee's March plenary, EESC President Christa Schweng and European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson reiterated the bloc's strong commitment to Europe's clean energy future.

  • As part of the European Year of Skills, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a conference on "Skills and talents as key drivers for personal fulfilment, economic growth and competitiveness" on 10 March to assess the needs and issue recommendations regarding skills development in the EU.

  • On International Women's Day 2023, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a debate on dismantling gender stereotypes in education, which are still stopping girls and young women from making their own study and career choices and achieving their full professional potential.

  • Reference number
    9/2023

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)'s Civil Society Days kicked off today with two sessions discussing how best to protect civic space in the EU against forces eating away at it,  be it national governments or foreign powers.