Európsky hospodársky a sociálny výbor
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has proved to be an endurance test for human and social rights, democratic values, the rule of law and economic resilience in the EU. While navigating stormy waters, organised civil society is playing a key role in coping with the countless pandemic-related challenges at European, national, regional and local level.
Struggling to find your first job? The coronavirus pandemic has shocked young Europeans who are about to enter the labour market. Through this webinar, the trainees of the European Economic and Social Committee want to help increase the public and political awareness of the challenging situation of European graduates, apprentices, job entrants and young professionals during this exceptional time and the months to come. Let's discuss concrete strategies on how to succeed in the labour market despite the crisis, but also the broader political context. Join us live!
The webinar will serve to reflect on the building blocks for a new structured approach to youth engagement in climate and sustainability policies at EU level. The discussion will feed into the EESC Own-initiative opinion on "Towards structured youth engagement on climate and sustainability". ► Watch again
The Civil Society Days 2019 will take place at a crucial moment for Europe, namely after the Sibiu Summit and the European elections and ahead of the constitution of the new European Parliament and European Commission.
Current pressures on our democratic systems are threatening fundamental values (respect for human rights, individual liberty, equality, the rule of law) and the civil society space within the European Union. The alarming consequence is an erosion of democracy and restricted civic space in several parts of the EU.
Against this backdrop and in consideration of the transformation processes the EU is facing, namely on economic, energy and ecological, social, and democratic and participatory level, this year's Civil Society Days will focus on two main pillars, Democracy and Sustainability, and will explore their links and interactions.
The EESC is organising a public hearing in the context of preparing an opinion on European philanthropy at the request of the Romanian Presidency. The hearing will focus on the following questions:
The results of the hearing will feed into the EESC’s work on the opinion.
Your presence is most welcome!
This years' meeting of the EESC's Western Balkans Follow-up Committee outside of Brussels will be held on 24-25 September 2018 in Tirana, Albania. A meeting with social partners on the state of social dialogue in Albania on 24 September and a hearing with the civil society organisations (CSOs) on Youth Policy and Youth Participation in the Albanian society on 25 September.
Our Western Balkans Follow-up Committee members will listen to the views on the role of civil society in Albania, and later convey these messages to the Government of Albania and to the political authorities of the EU. These meetings in Albania are a step towards the 7th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum to be held in 2019.
The EU-Africa economic and social stakeholders' network will first deal with the up-coming EU-Africa Action Plan for the period 2018-2020. The annual meeting will specifically address migration and economic issues, focusing on the implications for young people. The youth focus is essential as young people clearly represent an increasingly important proportion of African populations. Moreover, youth unemployment in both Africa and Europe is a shared concern of economic and social actors. It is helping to feed migration flows, especially for young Africans who are facing a lack of prospects.
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a public hearing on the Next EU youth strategy in the context of the EESC opinion SOC/589.
The conference follows up the work already carried out by the EESC on the future of Europe and the resolution adopted by the Committee in July. Taking place in Athens on 1 and 2 March 2018, the conference will gather high-ranking figures from European political, institutional and cultural life, with young people playing a key role as real protagonists in the debates. The event will feature three sessions devoted to the future of democracy in Europe. You can follow the webstreaming here
Roma still remain the most underrepresented group on the labour market, with high numbers of unemployment. Due to the combination of various factors, such as poverty and deprivation, low levels of education and skills and discrimination in both education and employment, there are still serious structural barriers for Roma. Therefore they do not benefit from mainstream or targeted measures/initiatives. The Roma Platform is a high-level event that will provide an opportunity to discuss education and employment for Roma.
