Poverty and the role of civil society organisations in combatting it will be the focus of his Presidency
With the start of the 2020-2025 term of office of the EESC, Séamus Boland takes over the Presidency of the its Diversity Europe Group. Members confirmed his new role for the next two and a half years during the first group meeting of the new term held today, 27 October. Mr Boland's Presidency will focus on the topic of "Poverty and the role of civil society organisations in combatting it".
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted the opinion 2030 Biodiversity Strategy during its September Plenary session, following the European Commission's communication on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Bringing nature back into our lives.
Young people have the right to have a say on matters that concern them. The climate emergency the world is facing today has mobilised millions of young people around the world, many of whom are profoundly affected by the threat it poses for their future. At the same time, it is the young people who have repeatedly demonstrated their energy, creativity and motivation to challenge current unsustainable models and push the decision-makers to adopt ambitious policies. Despite that, a wide gap remains between listening to young people, and actually acting upon their calls and demands.
Event in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU
Event type
Conference
Location
Centre for Social Activities and Welfare of the Municipality of Larnaca, Faneromenis 62
Larnaca
Cyprus
Registration for in-person participation will close on Thursday 16 April 2026, noon. Streaming will be available on this page on the day of the event. Prior registration for the streaming is not required.
On 26 February 2026, the EESC in cooperation with Sustainable Development Solutions Network, will host an online event featuring the launch of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2026 which tracks annually since 2019 the performance of all EU member states and partner countries on the SDGs and is co-designed with civil society.
On 8 September 2025 (14:30-18:00), the NAT section of the EESC will host its end of mandate debate with the aim of addressing some of the crucial and systemic questions raised by the new geopolitical order from the point of view of civil society, and to chart possible pathways for the future.
At the initiative of the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group, this exhibition showcases projects that have been coordinated by the Danish architecture firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.
On 21 May 2025 the EESC will hold an online event on the link between trade policy and sustainability, with a particular focus on agri-food systems. Through panel discussions, EESC members, representatives of the European Commission and of civil society will exchange views on the role of reciprocity in achieving a fair green transition.
Conference in the framework of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU
Event type
Conference
Location
The Danish Society of Engineers (IDA), Kalvebod Brygge 31-33
Copenhagen
Denmark
This event is an in-person conference that will be live streamed on our website. Registration for in-person participation is closed. We invite you to follow our webstreaming.
Partnership event by the EAPN and the Civil Society Organisations' Group
Event type
Conference
Location
Rue Van Maerlant 2
Brussels
Belgium
The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) will launch its latest Poverty Watch Report at an event co-organised by the EAPN and the EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group. This is an in-person event that will take place at the EESC in Brussels and be webstreamed.
