The EESC is convinced that islands, mountainous regions and sparsely populated areas face significant challenges and that there is a solid legal basis that obliges the EU to take action in order to tackle these challenges. In this context, the organised civil society has an important role to play and through this debate, the aim is to find the best practices and solutions so that these regions can perform better and recover from the multiple crises. Therefore the EESC- ECO section has decided to organise this public debate in the framework of the EESC own-intiative opinion on "Main challenges that EU islands, mountain and sparsely populated areas face.
Room JDE 70 (& Interactio), EESC building, Rue Belliard 99, 1040
Brussels
Belgium
In the context of the European Year of Skills, the EESC's Permanent Group on disability Rights is organising a hybrid public hearing on "Skills for employment for persons with disabilities in the context of the green and digital transition" on 10 July 2023 am ( 9:30 am to 12:30 pm).
The hearing will look at what could be done to improve and adapt skills of persons with disabilities to the requirements of the labour market in the context of the green and digital transition and to ensure they have access to quality jobs.
Insularity is considered to be a permanent and unchangeable geographical feature which involves additional costs (transport, energy, waste management, public services, necessity goods and services) that hamper the development and competitiveness of the islands, while particularly exposing them to biodiversity loss and climate change. The organised civil society has an important role to play and tackle all these challenges and through this debate. The aim is to find the best practices and solutions so that EU islands can preform better and recover from the multiple crises.
How can these regions become drivers for growth and development?
Public hearing
Umeå Folkets hus,
Skolgatan 59
Umeå
Sweden
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will be producing an own-initiative opinion on the main challenges faced by EU islands and mountainous and sparsely populated areas, which is scheduled for adoption at the EESC's September plenary session. In this context, the EESC, along with the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and the North Sweden European Office (NSEO), will be holding a public hearing in Umeå (Sweden) on 4 May 2023 entitled "Challenges and opportunities that the digital and energy transitions present to the northern sparsely populated areas and islands. How can these regions become drivers for growth and development?". The hearing is an event under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
With this debate, the ECO section is providing ex-ante input to the European Commission, in preparation for the upcoming 2023 strategic foresight cycle that wants to shed light on the strategic decisions needed to ensure a socially and economically sustainable Europe with a stronger role in the world in the coming decades.
Interactio and Room JDE 60, EESC building, Rue Belliard 99, 1040
Brussels
Belgium
In order to prepare the exploratory opinion requested by the future Spanish presidency of the EU on "Measures to improve mental health", the EESC is organising a hybrid public hearing on 11 April 2023 from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
The aim of the event is to gather input from policy makers, civil society organisations and social partners, which will feed into the EESC's opinion.
Interactio and Room JDE52, EESC building, Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC organised a hybrid conference on Skills and talents as key drivers for personal fulfilment, economic growth and competitiveness on 10 March 2023 (9:30 to 16:30) in the context of the European Year of Skills.
The conference looked at the current situation in the EU in relation to skills development, with a focus on work-based learning and apprenticeships. It discussed the advantages of dual education and in-work training compared to academic training and how they are preparing the future workforce. It also looked at the EU Talent Pool and discuss how the EU can become a more attractive destination for talented professionals looking for job opportunities worldwide.
In order to prepare an exploratory opinion requested by the Swedish presidency, the EESC is organising a virtual public hearing on ''Competence and skills development in the green and digital transition'' on 17 February 2023.
Working life is transforming due to the accelerating digital transformation, automation, and transition to climate neutrality. The event will be looking at the competences and skills that will be needed in view of this transition, contributing to the debate in view of the European Year of Skills.
Interactio and Room JDE 60, EESC building, Rue Belliard 99, 1040
Brussels
Belgium
In order to prepare the exploratory opinion requested by the future Spanish presidency of the EU on "Precarious work and mental health", the EESC is organising a remote public hearing on 14 February 2023 from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
The aim of the event is to gather input on the from policy makers, civil society organisations and social partners, which will feed into the EESC's opinion.
