Programme

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Draft Programme

27 October

09:00–09:30 | Registration

09:30–10:30 | Welcome remarks

  • Vasco De Mello, President of the EESC Euromed Follow-Up Committee

Opening session

 Moderator:  Stefano Palmieri, President of the External Relations Section, European Economic and Social  Committee (EESC)

  • Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
  • Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal tbc
  • Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, European Commission
  • Luís Pais Antunes, President of the Economic and Social Council of Portugal
  • Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation

10:30–11:00 | Networking coffee

11:00–12:30 | Session 1: Youth empowerment through employability and entrepreneurship in the Southern Mediterranean

Young people are key to the future of the Southern Mediterranean. This session will explore how tailored employability and entrepreneurship measures can help ensure that every young person has access to meaningful pathways into the labour market.

Moderator: Sabine Bécard, Coordinator of the Mediterranean New Chance Network

  • Meltem Büyükkarakaş, Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development and Employment, Union for the Mediterranean tbc
  • Halim Hamzaoui, Director of the Country Office for Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, International Labour Organization
  • Francesc Almendros Viladerrams, Anna Lindh Foundation Young Leader and Co-President of the Mediterranean Youth Council

Debate       

12:30–14:00 | Networking lunch

14:00–15:45 | Session 2:  Matching skills needs with employment fostering green and digital transition in the Southern Mediterranean region

A successful green and digital transition in the Southern Mediterranean depends on people having the right skills. This session will explore how education, training and skills development can promote quality employment, investment and inclusive growth.

Moderator:  Eric Chevé, Chair of the Economic and Finance Commission, Rapporteur for the study "Systemic Changes and Disruptions: Rethinking Our Approach to Skills", Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) of France

  • Amine Mounir Alaoui, Member of the Bureau, Economic, Social and Environmental Council of Morocco (CESE) Morocco
  • Giulia Laganà, Director of the Just Transition and Climate Department, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
  • Gilane Elwi, Country Head of People & Organization, Siemens Egypt tbc

Debate 

15:45–16:15 | Networking coffee

16:15–17:45 | Session 3: Scaling up skills ecosystems in the Southern Mediterranean region: promoting investment-skills-employment and mobility nexus

Strong skills ecosystems are essential to linking investment, skills, employment and mobility in the Southern Mediterranean. This session will explore how vocational education and training, apprenticeships, skills recognition and mobility can create new opportunities for people and businesses.

Chair: Sona Kalantaryan, Human Capital Development Expert European Training Foundation (ETF)

  • Thomas Wagnsonner, EESC Member and rapporteur for the opinion "Skills, Employability and Labour Market Inclusion - Contributing to a Successful Pact for the Mediterranean"
  • National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL) Italy tbc
  • Hind Ben Ammar, Executive Secretary, Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC)
  • Iñigo Larrea, Director for Talent Attraction and Development, Mondragon

Debate 

17:45-18:00 | Closing remarks

  • DG MENA representative
  • Cinzia Del Rio, President of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Section (EESC) 

28 October

09:00–09:10 | Opening remarks

Moderator:   Christa Schweng, Vice-President of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Section (EESC)

  • Mohamed Boukhari, President of the Union of Arab Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (UAESCSI) and of the Algerian National Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CNESE)
  • María Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, President of the Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen (AFAEMME)

09:10-10:40 | Session 4: Strengthening Economic Cooperation within the Pact for the Mediterranean

Closer economic cooperation is essential to unlocking the full potential of the Pact for the Mediterranean. This session will explore how renewable energy and other areas of cooperation can promote sustainable growth, quality jobs and regional prosperity.

Moderator: Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, EESC Member and co-Rapporteur for the  opinion "The Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society in Strengthening Economic Cooperation within the Pact for the Mediterranean" 

  • Francisco Joaquin Gaztelu Mezquiriz, Director for North Africa (MENA.A), European Commission tbc
  • Ana Esperanza Beltrán, Member and Coordinator of the Employers’ Group, Economic and Social Council (CES) Spain

  • Zied Debbabi, International relations and Communication Director, Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises (BUSINESSMED)

  • Roger Albinyana, Managing Director of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed)

Debate with summit participants

10:40–11:10 | Networking coffee

11:10–12:55 | Session 5:Cultural heritage as a driver of sustainable tourism and quality jobs

The Pact for the Mediterranean recognizes the economic potential of the region's rich cultural heritage. This session will explore how preserving and promoting cultural heritage can foster sustainable tourism, create quality jobs and support local economic development.

Moderator: Luca Jahier, Vice-President of the EESC Euromed Follow-Up Committee

  • Charles Arbid, President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) Lebanon tbc
  • Musa Shteiwi, President of the Economic and Social Council (ESC) Jordan
  • Economic and Social Council (CES) Portugal
  • Leila Ben Gacem, Director-General of Tunistoric, a heritage-led regeneration initiative revitalising the Medina of Tunis

Debate  

12:55–13:00 | Closing remarks

  • Vasco De Mello, President of the Euromed Follow-Up Committee (EESC)

Practical information:

Venue:

Teatro Thalia, Estrada das Laranjeiras 205, 1600-139 Lisbon, Portugal

Interpretation:

You can speak and listen to Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish

Contact: euromed@eesc.europa.eu

X:@EESC_REX #Mediterranean