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Relations between the EU and its southern neighbours constitute one of our priorities. Our work covers a wide variety of areas, such as the participation of civil society in political and civil dialogue, democratic transition, youth employment, sustainable development, mobility and immigration, trade, renewable energy and business development.

The EESC has been working on these issues since 1995. Following changes in the region in 2010, we have adjusted our objectives accordingly, aiming to:

  • Support civil society organisations in countries undergoing transition. Such support is targeted, in particular, at trade unions and employers’ organisations, as well as women’s, youth and farmers’ associations.
  • Maintain bilateral relations with national economic and social councils in the region, and work towards creating conditions for the inclusion of civil society in political dialogue in the southern partner countries.
  • Issue opinions and joint reports on the key policy challenges facing the region.
  • Hold regular meetings with European institutions and international organisations to discuss the policies concerning civil society across the region.
  • Organise an annual summit for economic and social councils and similar institutions, at which key policy recommendations on the region’s main challenges are put to policy-makers from national governments and the EU.
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05/04/2013

Staffan Nilsson`s opening speech at the Anna Lindh Forum- Medina Session "Integrating Civil Society in Policy- Making"

Presentation
Speaker
Staffan Nilsson
Organisation: 
EESC

Welcome to this Medina Session on 'Integrating Civil Society in policy-making'. This session has been organised by the European Economic and Social Committee, but as you can see it also involves many notable guest speakers from a variety of civil society organisations who will share their experiences with us.….I shall not name you all because I think it is important we move to the discussion but you shall all have the opportunity to take the floor.

Downloads: 

Staffan Nilsson`s opening speech at the Anna Lindh Forum 2013

Related links: 
Anna Lindh Forum 2013Check my comment "Are we on the Arab democratic wave?"
17/10/2012

Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions

Presentation
Speaker
Staffan Nilsson
Organisation: 
EESC

The Jordanian ESC is playing a crucial role in what is a crucial country in the region. Jordan is a country facing many challenges. But we know from the past that it has the resourcefulness to positively embrace such challenges. Proof of this is the fact that is has now taken over the Co-Presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

Downloads: 

Staffan Nilsson`s opening speech at the Amman summit

Related links: 
Official CodeRegulation (EC) No 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer
25/08/2011

Getting closer to freedom – EESC president’s statement on Libya

Presentation
Speaker
Staffan Nilsson
Organisation: 
EESC

Gaddafi's regime is now falling apart and the EU under UN leadership is mobilising to help the Libyan people build a free, open, secure and democratic state. The fight is not over yet, however I do hope for a positive outcome. I salute the determined action taken by the UN and some EU Member States to protect civilians from their dictator's mad fight against his own people.

16/03/2011

EESC president's statement on Libya given at the EESC plenary session on 15 March 2011

Presentation
Speaker
Staffan Nilsson
Organisation: 
EESC

Following the natural disaster of unprecedented proportions that has hit Japan, it would be all too easy for us to shift our focus away from current events in Libya.

The fact that this country's leader, who claims to be loved by his people, is bombing his own citizens and is ordering the armed forces to open fire on their compatriots underscores this dictator’s true nature.

11/02/2011

Statement by the EESC President on the current situation in several countries in the Mediterranean region

Presentation
Speaker
President Staffan Nilsson
Organisation: 
EESC

"At this important moment in history the EESC calls for the involvement of all democratic forces in the transition process, including civil society representatives, and underlines the important role of participatory democracy. Economic and social partners and civil society organisations play a pivotal role in efforts to develop a constructive and fruitful dialogue about the future of these countries."...

Displaying 1 - 5 of 5