Economisch en Sociaal Comité organiseert discussie over Europese verkiezingen (en)

CES/09/76

27 May 2009

EESC meeting in Ljubljana will discuss the European Parliament elections and the future challenges facing the EU

Next Friday, 29 May, the EESC will hold a debate in Ljubljana with EESC Slovenian members and Slovenian candidates in the upcoming European elections. EESC Vice- President Irini Pari will address the meeting which will show-case 'A programme for Europe: proposals of civil society', and present the EESC and its work in Slovenia; it will also provide the occasion for a wide-ranging debate on the European Parliament elections and the key challenges facing Europe.

Venue: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Ljubljana

Date: 29 May, 10.00 a.m to 2.00 p.m

In view of the European Parliament elections on 5- 7 June 2009, the EESC has been promoting 'going local', encouraging debate on the election issues and presenting its own “Programme for Europe: the proposals of civil society”. With the participation of EESC Vice- President Pari , the conference, in conjunction with Slovenian EESC members, will provide a platform for outlining the Committee's role and presenting its concrete European response to the major challenges the continent is facing, under four main headings: economic recovery, the European social model, sustainable development and governance.

Next week, Europeans will elect the new European Parliament at a time when Europe is facing a historic economic crisis with all the social consequences and risks which this entails. The Ljubljana event will enable local representatives of civil society organizations and the Slovenian candidates to discuss their manifestos and to show how the European elections can contribute to the improvement of relations and communication between citizens and institutions. The conference will also provide an opportunity to debate the Committee's role as a forum for dialogue and confidence building.