REX Section debates dedicated to Latin America

In December 2022, the EESC adopted the opinion REX/552 on the Socio-economic situation in Latin America following the COVID-19 crisis – the role of civil society in the recovery process. In the document, the Committee expresses the view that Europe and Latin America can be partners in an alliance for democracy, sustainability, social justice and multilateralism, to support a recovery that includes civil society, attract investments compatible with the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote a trade partnership that sets itself apart in terms of its quality and long-term sustainability, in contrast to other, predatory and irresponsible international relationship models. For this REX Section meeting, we invited prominent speakers to discuss the prospects of the reinforced engagement with our Latin America partners.

Then, in a second debate panel dedicated to women, we focus on how the pandemic, which has hit Latin America particularly hard, exacerbated the existing inequalities. It has worsened the situation of women, who rely on informal economic activities to provide for their households. In the above mentioned opinion, the EESC argues that Latin America needs a new social contract, with citizens, especially women and young people, more involved in the reforms of the political, fiscal, social and employment system. How to enable it? The EESC believes that it is vital to promote an institutionalised social dialogue like that in Europe, and European civil society can help in this, as shown by the role of the Domestic Advisory Groups, in the monitoring of free trade agreements.

Programme

2.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.      Afternoon session

1. Latin America: "Strengthening EU-Latin America alliances"

• Javi LÓPEZ, Member of the European Parliament and co-chair of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat)
• Ambassador Amador SÁNCHEZ RICO, Head of the EU Delegation to Argentina

• Ana Beatriz MARTINS, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Brazil

• Ambassador Gloria NAVARRETE, Head of the Mission of Chile to the EU

2. Latin America: "Women's perspective" (or "Gender equality in Latin America – challenges and opportunities")

• María-Noel VAEZA, Regional Director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean

• Haydée CASTILLO FLORES, Human Rights Defender from Nicaragua
• Liliana PANIAGUA, Coordinator of Redes Chaco Argentina

• Paula BIBINI, Member of the Economic and Social Council of Argentina, President of the Industrial Union of Salta region

• Marita GONZÁLEZ, Technical Secretary of the Mercosur Economic and Social Consultative Forum, Argentina Section

• Maria NIKOLOPOULOU, Head of the EESC Equality Group