Broad participation by civil society is key to a strong recovery in Europe

Staff

A hearing organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) discussed opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans in the various Member States, revealing that civil society is still far from being effectively involved in the process. There were calls for improved consultations in the upcoming implementing phase, following the shortcomings at the drafting stage

EU Commission proposes coordinated measures for the safe reopening of the cultural sector

Staff

The Commission has just published EU guidelines to ensure the safe resumption of activities in the cultural and creative sectors across the EU. These guidelines are expected to guide the design and implementation of measures and protocols in EU countries to cover both the safe reopening as well as the sustainable recovery in the cultural and creative sectors

EESC and European Commission join forces for a healthier and fairer Europe in the digital age

Staff

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backs the European Commission's 2021 work programme and points out that the driving force to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous must be a coordinated approach with all interinstitutional actors, capitalising on the prominent role played by organised civil society

Coronavirus response: EESC calls for swift approval of EU recovery plan

Staff

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backs a number of Commission proposals to speed up European recovery, underlining that the involvement of civil society organisations is essential

"We must be united for the future of Europe, and now is the time for action", say EESC president Luca Jahier and European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira

Staff

At its June plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a debate on the recovery of the European economy following the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, stressing that the focus must now be on implementing the European Commission's plan

Civil society organisations call to have a hand in designing Europe's recovery plan

Staff

Civil society organisations have been at the forefront of fighting the pandemic in Europe, often stepping in at a moment's notice to plug huge gaps in the public provision of social services and healthcare. Meeting remotely with the EESC on 12 May, they asked to be at the table with EU institutions and governments to help design a recovery plan for a sustainable Europe

Luca Jahier: "The EU must rise from the ashes of the #Coronacrisis"

Luca Jahier

Luca Jahier, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC): "We have now more than ever the chance and the obligation to rise from the ashes of the Corona crisis like the Phoenix. My strong support to the European Commission and European Parliament: the EU Council cannot fail! Europe must not only be saved, it must be relaunched!" (...) "We want to be able to say, on 23 April, that the EU has been up to the challenge and has done #WhateverItTakes to save its people, relaunch its economy and show the face of a new Union, more resilient and cohesive. This will be our #rEUnaissance"

The social economy can be an economic model for tackling the dual challenges of ecological emergency and social crisis

Staff

Such is the message to the European institutions from the social economy actors meeting in Strasbourg – European capital of the social economy 2019, for the 4th European Day of Social Economy Enterprises, just as the European Parliament gives the green light to Ursula von der Leyen's new team

Circular Economy: time to unleash the power of consumers, urges the EESC

Staff

So far, actions to boost the development of a circular economy in Europe have centred on production, getting industries to introduce circular business models and bring circular options to the market. Now conditions are ripe for getting consumers involved, and empowering them to make sustainable purchasing choices in their daily lives, says an EESC report adopted in July

A small step forward for human rights

*Valentina Pavarotti

Today ends the week of negotiations at the UN in Geneva for the Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights, an instrument that could protect the rights and the environment of many communities around the world.