ESW Oostende, 2014: Europe, The age of responsibility
How can we integrate more solidarity and participation in the social model of the future?
The economic crisis implies major changes in society. The economic and social model of today is no longer sustainable for the future. Especially Social Partners and workers organisations are today challenged by the economic crisis. The economic crisis makes it necessary, for society as a whole but also for the social dialogue institutions and organizations to search for new social and economic models. Only with innovative ideas we will achieve the objectives of EU2020 and make a social and solidarity Europe possible for the future.
This seminar explored good practices for a resilient social model and a resilient economic model, based on knowledge and expertise within European workers’ organisations and Social partners.
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Thursday, 23 January 2014
Welcome by Jaap Smit, Chairman of the Initiative Committee of the 5th ESW and President of CNV (The Netherlands).
Herman Van Rompuy
“Europe – together we can do more!” Opening speech by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council.
Cardinal Peter Turkson
“Christian social ethics as guidelines for the current challenges?” Opening speech by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontificial Council for Justice and Peace.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Session 1. The European social model: which way to go?
“The European Social Model – Which way to go?”
Jérôme Vignon (France) Chairman of the French Social Week.
Additional analysis: “The European Social Model and the South of Europe.”
Georges Dassis (Greece), President of the Workers group of the Economic and Social Committee.
“The need for solutions – which policies for a decent social model?”
Bea Cantillon (Belgium), Professor at the University of Antwerp and President of the Centre for Social Policy Herman Deleeck.
“The Future of Europe: Solidarity or merciless Competition?”
Bernhard Emunds, Professor in Social Philosophy and Director of the Oswald von Nell- Breuning-Institut, Frankfurt.
Session 2. In search of a new relation between enterprises and workers in a context of social dialogue.
Chair of the session: Patrick Develtere (Belgium), President ACW
“The call for a new industrial policy. New relations between enterprises and workers.”
Pierre Defraigne (Belgium). Professor in Economy and Director of Madariaga Foundation and at the College of Europe, Bruges.
“Business ethics, entrepreneurship and social dialogue.”
Fritz Neugebauer (Austria), second President of the Parliament of Austria and President of GÖD.
“Young, sustainable and participative enterprising.”
Huibrecht Bos (the Netherlands) of MoveNext
Kai-Uwe Hemmerich (Germany) General Works Council President of Clariant GmbH
“The economy, a community to build.”
Elena Lasida (France), Professor at the Catholic Institute of Paris in social economy, sustainable development and the relation between economy and theology.
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Session 3: Responsibility for the environment and the social dialogue in other countries
“Sustainability and growth – conflict between theory and practice.”
Dirk Messner (Germany), Professor in Political Science and Director of DIE (German Institute for Development Aid Policy)
”The power of consumers”
Nuria Chinchilla (Spain) Professor IESE, Business School University of Navarra
“Concrete models of policy and consumer behaviour”
Two good practices by
Reinhard Stransfeld, (President of Regionaler Aufbruch, Germany)
Jan van Betten, (Nudge, the Netherlands)
Closing session
“Does Christian social ethics offer us guidelines?”
Paul Zulehner (Austria), theologian and Catholic priest and member of the Austrian and European Academy of Sciences.
Synthesis report on the three sessions: “Reshape Christian social traditions.”
Prof. Johan Verstraeten (Belgium), Professor at the Catholic University of Leuven and Director of the Centre for the studies of the social doctrine of the church
Perspectives for the 6th European Social Week by Herbert Metzger, AZK.