Boodschap Staffan Nilsson (voorzitter EESC) aan Portugese bevolking over solidariteit EU-lidstaten bij aanpak economische crisis (en)

EESC President Staffan Nilsson is tomorrow taking part in Lisbon in the conference of CAIS, a civil society organisation, advocating citizens' well-being and social inclusion, and fighting against poverty and homelessness. At their annual conference, Staffan Nilsson will talk about the costs of citizens’ happiness - and moves towards an economy of solidarity.

The EESC supports such local events, as public support is predicated on dialogue and compromise, and we can find smart solutions to the economic and social challenges Europe is facing. In Staffan Nilsson's view: "Without the support of active and committed citizens, and of organisations, such as the CAIS, which act as a channel for expression and action, we cannot secure a strong social Europe".

In the midst of the difficult economic and social crisis Portugal is facing, the EESC president is urging for resilience and compromise, a compromise between a competitive Europe in a globalised world and a Europe that protects the most vulnerable and guarantees the quality of European citizens' life. The EESC represents civil society's voice in Brussels, and acts as a bridge between its local representatives to European policy-makers.

The CAIS organises an annual three-day conference with national and international speakers. This year, the focus of discussion is the costs of happiness and how these relate to an economy of solidarity. The CAIS annual conference has become an important forum for debate in Portugal recognised over the years by a number of political figures from the government who have taken part.

Staffan Nilsson will be speaking on at 11.45am on 8 April, at the opening of the CAIS conference in Lisbon. Venue: ISEG (Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao), Rua do Quelhas, n. º6 1200-781 Lisbon.

The EESC president will be available for interviews from 10.30 am. Please contact:

Main press contact: Marisa Tavares marisa.tavares@ogilvy.com +351 91 655 00 68

CAIS Contact: Eliana Lavos, eliana.lavos@cais.pt +351 21 836 90 05

EESC President's Cabinet: Dauphinelle Clement, +32 478. 541. 527

For more information about the EESC, please visit our website.