These were:
The EESC opinion on “Principles for effective and reliable welfare provision systems”, the study by Fran Bennett, Independent Expert from the University of Oxford on “Common social values in the EU” which was debated by the Council in the Luxembourg Presidency and the study “Socializing the European Semester? Economic Governance and Social Policy Coordination in Europe 2020” produced by Bart Vanhercke/OSE and Jonathan Zeitlin/University of Amsterdam.
Other key speakers included Nick Costello, from DG Employment, Tom Dominique, President of the SPC, and Georgios Dassis, new President of the EESC.
Strong messages were sent on the need to put the social pillar at the heart of a revised economic approach, socializing the European Semester and Europe 2020 to deliver on the targets and rooting the new social pillar in delivery on key Treaty articles, and by concrete measures to guarantee universal, adequate social protection systems for all, throughout the life cycle.
All parties, including the Commission underlined the need to improve civil society stakeholder engagement at the national and EU level through guidelines and other measures.
Mr Dassis, EESC President further underlined the crucial role of adequate minimum income and confirmed the EESC commitment to an EU minimum income, financed through EU funds, to ensure a dignified life for all.
Please find here the link to the SOC webpage dedicated to the joint conference with all information available (minutes, presentations, programme) on 4.11.15 in Luxembourg: EN & FR
