When the system stops delivering: housing, inequality and Europe’s social contract

Draft agenda

Webstream JDE62

Facilitator/moderator: Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General, European Movement International

16:15 – 16:25

• Opening remarks by Krzysztof Balon, EESC member and Miia Paavonaho, Le Milieu (Study on Anti-Poverty)

16:25 – 16:55 | Panel discussion (3 speakers)

Moderated debate addressing:

• Where the European system is failing citizens today;
• How socioeconomic inequalities intersect;
• What a New European Social Contract must deliver to restore trust.

Speakers:

• Cinzia Del Rio – EESC Member, President of the SOC section
• Borja Giménez Larraz – Member of European Parliament
• Antoni Abat – Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

16:55 – 17:10 | Q&A with participants

17:10 – 17:15 | Closing remarks and transition to the following

• Moderator: Martina Corti, Social Affairs Officer at SOLIDAR & SOLIDAR Foundation

Agenda:

17:15 - 17:20 | Opening Remarks and outline of the main points of the EU Affordable Housing Plan

17:20 - 17:55

Panel Discussion with:

• Gabriele Bischoff, member of the European Parliament
• Emiliano Rocchetti, Policy Officer at the International Union of Tenants
• Anna Iafisco - Policy Advisor for Housing at Eurocities

Objectives

• Assess the Affordable Housing Plan’s relevance and potential impact for tenants and in general on housing affordability in the EU.
• Identify key conditions to ensure long-term affordability and security of tenure.
• Highlight the importance of involving tenants and tenant organizations in implementation.

17:55 - 18:10 | Q&A with participants

18:10 - 18:15 | Closing Remarks

Across Europe, many people feel that the system is not delivering for them any more. Prices are rising, inequality is widening and politics feels distant. Trust in European and national institutions is slipping. 

So what do we do about it? 

This session looks at how Europe can reconnect with its citizens, not through slogans, but by listening and acting on what people actually expect from democracy, from a supposedly fair society and from social protection. 

The workshop is based on the lessons learnt from the ongoing Horizon Europe project Express2, which aims to a develop new, democratic, inclusive and sustainable social contract to address inequality and other disruptive elements, mitigating political instability and uncertainty for millions in the EU.  

In line with the future-oriented outlook of Civil Society Week, the EMI will bring to the debate with civil society and institutional stakeholders a wealth of relevant data, insights and research (including polling data about trust in institutions) stemming from the project and from concerted efforts to build healthy foundations for our common future – a future which delivers on promises and is resilient to disruptive elements, from polarisation to inequality, and where the EU and individuals have clear rights and responsibilities based on active involvement and dialogue among Europeans. Early insights from the digital campaign gathering inputs and opinions from Europeans (three generations) will also be presented and discussed. 

The underlying premise is that there is a need for a social contract that is expressly inclusive, involves democratic participation and reflects the values and aspirations of EU citizens. The resulting pact should provide a blueprint for the development of policies and regulations that promote equality, social justice and sustainable development.