The EESC has produced a large number of opinions during the 2010-2015 mandate on subjects relating to new production and consumption patterns. These include the opinions on built-in obsolescence, collaborative consumption and the circular economy. When it comes to the main pillars underpinning the new economic model for change, the theme of the functional economy, defined as the sale of use rather than of ownership, is the only issue not yet to have been addressed by the committee.
Chemical innovations will continue to play a pivotal role in the future, since they are indispensable to meeting people's basic needs (such as food, health, clothing, housing, energy, communication and nature). Nanotechnology is a key enabling technology for developing new products.
The Raw Materials Initiative and the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials are key policies that may contribute decisively to maintaining the competitiveness and sustainability of European industry and, consequently, the maintenance or creation of new jobs, especially in regions that have been affected by restructuring due to globalisation.
In the context of the State aid modernization process, the European Commission has introduced a requirement for evaluation of a selected number of State aid Scheme. The aim of these evaluations is to identify the actual impact that State aid has on the market and allow for improvement of the follow up schemes. The hearing explored both theoretical and practical aspects of the evaluation process. Guest speakers included European high civil servants, practitioners and researchers.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) are hosting a joint conference on 24 June 2015 in Brussels under the title Freeing Europe Safely From Asbestos. The European Federation of Building and Wood Workers (EFBWW) is supporting the event together with the employers’ organization European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and victim support groups.
The European Economic and Social Committee's Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) organizes a Public Hearing on:
“The creative and cultural industries – a European asset to be used in global competition”
The hearing is part of the preparation of an own-initiative opinion by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) aiming at shedding some light to major aspects and challenges for creative and cultural industries (CCI).
On 15 June, the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists together with the EESC Employers’ Group and partners, is organising the 3rd high-level conference on the future of the integrated industrial policy in Europe and Lithuania, as well as on promotion of national industrial policy, focusing on the challenges of innovation.
Effective transmission and sharing of knowledge, information and skills is crucial to delivering the jobs and growth opportunities that Europe is seeking. By connecting European business and research, businesses will be given fresh opportunities to commercialise the most up-to-date and relevant research findings, with the aim of giving Europe first-mover advantage in the latest technological and non-technological fields. Adding higher education into this mix, businesses will be able to take advantage of a workforce with skills tailored to their needs. Moreover, students will benefit from an education that will make them more attractive to future employers.
The Raw Materials Initiative and the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials are key policies that may contribute decisively to maintaining the competitiveness and sustainability of European industry and, consequently, the maintenance or creation of new jobs, especially in regions that have been affected by restructuring due to globalisation.
Going local in events that will be organised in Spain, Slovakia, Romania and Finland will create the right framework for the committee members to better understand the situation on the ground and the concerns of the local organised civil society.
The Raw Materials Initiative and the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials are key policies that may contribute decisively to maintaining the competitiveness and sustainability of European industry and, consequently, the maintenance or creation of new jobs, especially in regions that have been affected by restructuring due to globalisation.
