News

482nd EESC plenary session with a statement by Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday 11 July: presentation of the priorities of the Cypriot presidency, and statements by Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, Laurence Tubiana, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) and Olivier Consolo (CONCORD), rapporteur for the Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks, for a thematic debate on "Rio+20" at 4 p.m. on Wednesday 11 July.

On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the National Labour Council launched a new website. We hope you’ll find interesting information on it and we already thank you for your interest in the works of the federal interprofessional social dialogue in Belgium. www.cnt-nar.be

On Thursday, 13 September 2012, the Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption will organise a Public Hearing on the Commission’s Communication ''A strategy for e-procurement''. The debate will concentrate on already existing solutions on e-procurement, as well as on opportunities and barriers in different Member States. The aim of this public hearing is to hear the views of stakeholders and interested parties, especially from industry, SMEs, trade unions, as well as related consumer organisations, and Member State authorities, which are particularly concerned by this issue.

25 Sep 2012 The European Council of June 2012 represented a step forward for the European Union, taking action to invest more in growth and to supplement the fiscal compact with a growth pact. The European Economic and Social Committee welcomes these measures, for which it has long been calling. The time has come to put the "Compact for growth and jobs", adopted as part of the Europe 2020 Strategy, into real practice. How can we achieve this? What are the best levers and tools? Which areas are the best triggers for sustainable growth and social cohesion? This conference will be a major opportunity for a constructive debate on strategic levers, such as economic governance, budget, the Single Market, employment, innovation and sustainability.

21 Sep 2012 Domestic violence by men against women, whether physical or psychological, is one of the gravest violations of human rights: the right to life and to physical and psychological integrity. Since the roots of such violence lie in the unequal balance of power between the sexes that still characterises our society, it affects women at all levels of society. That is why one of the most important functions of a European policy based on respect for fundamental human rights is to prevent such acts and to establish effective educational, preventive, law enforcement and support procedures. Although the main responsibility for combating domestic violence lies with the individual countries, there is need to intensify pressure at EU and international level to put an end to this scourge. On 21 September, to mark the International Day of Peace, the EESC will hold a conference to listen to researchers and institutional actors and stakeholders and discuss with them its opinion on the matter.

17 Oct 2012 19 Oct 2012 Conference - Amman, Jordan In accordance with the decision taken at the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference in Barcelona in November 1995, the Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of the European Union and the Euromed partner countries have regularly held Summits since 1995. These Summits bring together some 150‑200 participants from a range of economic and social councils, or similar institutions, representatives of employers, trade unions, other economic and social interests groups and NGOs from all the countries which are members of the Union for the Mediterranean (Albania ,Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Syria, Turkey, and the European Union member states). The aim of these meetings is to promote greater understanding of the main issues affecting organised civil society in the Euromed region and to enhance mutual awareness of economic and social realities. The 2012 Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions is co-organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Economic and Social Council of Jordan. The event is co-financed by the European Commission.

The EU requires decisive action in order to establish a coherent framework for an integrated growth economy. Progress has been made. However, the fundamental problem is as much political as economic.

The 2013 edition of the EESC video challenge has been launched. Amateur filmmakers between the ages of 18-30 are invited to get their voice heard and win one of our fantastic prizes!

8 Nov 2012 Annual meeting of the Presidents and Secretaries-general of the ESCs of the EU and the EESC

7th November 2012 The 10th meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee will take place in presence of representatives of national European and Social Councils / similar institutions. It will be an excellent occasion to discuss their latest contributions on the involvement of social partners and civil society in the 2012 European Semester.