With this debate, the ECO section is providing ex-ante input to the European Commission, in preparation for the upcoming 2023 strategic foresight cycle that wants to shed light on the strategic decisions needed to ensure a socially and economically sustainable Europe with a stronger role in the world in the coming decades.
The thematic debate of the Group will see the participation of Marina Elvira Calderone, Minister for Labour and Social Policies of Italy, Marie Toussaint, MEP and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Intergroup on "Fighting against poverty", and several representatives of civil society organisations.
Introducing the common currency in turbulent times
Event type
Debate
Location
Brussels
Belgium
On 1 January 2023, Croatia became the 20th member of the euro area. The introduction of the euro was preceded by a long process of convergence and Croatia's accession to the euro area comes in a time of economic challenges following the pandemic and due to the war in Ukraine. High inflation and high debt coupled with low growth prospects will challenge policy makers in the euro area and central bankers in the months to come. Against this background, the ECO section will organise a debate to discuss the prospects for Croatia and the euro area, also in view of future enlargements.
Thematic debate on TEN-T Corridors' and EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes
Event type
Debate
Location
Brussels
Belgium
The Russian attack on Ukraine has redefined the EU's geopolitical landscape, brought to the surface the EU's vulnerability to unforeseen disruptive events beyond its borders, and highlighted the fact that the EU internal market and its transport network cannot be viewed in isolation when shaping EU policies, including its external relations. The war in Ukraine has also made the need for interoperability with neighbouring countries even more pressing, as the solidarity factor adds to the emergency of achieving a coherent and integrated transport policy, where bottlenecks in cross-border points are tackled and financial instruments are mobilised. ...
Proposals on economic governance and recommendations for the euro area
Event type
Debate
Location
Online event
In late November, the European Commission is expected to kick-off the annual cycle of economic policy coordination, including the publication of the new recommendations for the euro area for 2023.
The Council of the EU has started its discussion on the Cohesion policy after 2027 with the objective to give political guidance on the kind of Cohesion policy that Member States consider appropriate. On 8 November 2022, from 11:30 to 13:00, the EESC organised a public debate is of great relevance for organised civil society who is an important partner in the design and implementation of cohesion policy programmes.
Energy poverty exacerbates gender gap worldwide. It is estimated that 70% of 1.3 billion population in developing countries living in poverty are women. Research has shown that women are more likely to fall into energy poverty as they are the main users and producers of household energy, due to economic, biological/physiological and socio-cultural factors. For instance, older women are the most likely to suffer from energy poverty due to a higher life expectancy and lower pensions compared to men. Women are also more likely to be responsible for householding and cooking activities requiring energy sources.
As in previous years, the European Economic and Social Committee, as the body representing organised civil society in the EU, will be following the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, from Tuesday, 5 July, to Monday, 18 July 2022. The HLPF is the United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The objective of this online event - held in the context of the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) - is to take stock of EU progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15, in order to come up with a new set of proposals to reinvigorate the EU trajectory through strategic and cooperative approaches.
In view of the upcoming Stockholm+50 conference and with the European Green Deal in mind, this event will explore ways of accelerating action for a better future on a healthy planet.
