Tue, Dec 9: Conference on the social dimension of the Latvian EU Presidency

In January 2015 Latvia will take over the Presidency of the EU. Social Platform is organising a civil society conference to discuss the social dimension of the Latvian EU presidency priorities. This event is bringing together a wide range of key stakeholders including governmental representatives and Latvian and EU civil society.

Venue: Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (Strēlnieku iela 4A) – in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Business

Interpretation from/into English/Latvian will be provided

Wifi will be available at the conference venue. Our twitter account is @social_platform and the hash tag for the conference is #socialeu2015lv

 

AGENDA

09.00-09.30 Arrival and Registration

09.30-10.00 Keynote speech by Mr Uldis Augulis, Latvia’s Minister of Welfare

10.00-10.15 Reaction and presentation of Social Platform key messages by Maciej Kucharczyk, Vice-President of Social Platform

10.15-11.40 Presentation of civil society organisations social priorities

Discussions will be based on the outcomes of a networking meeting taking place on December 8, where the Latvian and European civil society organisations will discuss their concerns in order to provide recommendations relevant to Latvian EU Presidency priorities.

Priority 1. Involvement of civil society in policy making

Recommendations to the Latvian government on how to engage in meaningful civil dialogue.

One of the Latvian Presidency priorities for the Council will be on dialogue with social partners (e.g. Business Europe). Social Platform believes civil dialogue (e.g. NGOs) is equally important to improve the decision making process and ensure excluded people are given a voice.

Priority 2. Social inclusion and combating poverty

Europe 2020: how the Latvian Presidency can take forward social targets beyond employment.

The Latvian Presidency’s priority is focusing on employment. While Social Platform agrees that this is important as it is a target of the soon to be reviewed Europe 2020 strategy, it is also important to look at the other two targets: poverty & social inclusion, and education.

Priority 3. Access to services of general interest

The case for prioritising the improvement of access to services during the Latvian Presidency.

Access to services is not identified as a priority by the Latvian Presidency. Despite this, the Latvian Presidency will be leading meetings of EU ministers on legislation in this area; for example, the horizontal equality directive that Social Platform is calling for, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership that poses a threat to access to services.

11.40-12.10 Coffee break

12.10-13.10 Panel debate

Moderator: Pierre Baussand, Director of Social Platform

Panellists:

  • Ms Silvija Simfa, Member of the Latvian Parliament, Secretary of Parliamentarian Social Affairs and Work Committee
  • Mr Peteris Krigers, Chairman of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia
  • Ms Kristine Naseniece, Director of EU Coordination Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia

13.10-13.15 Intervention by Mr Arnis Sauka, Director of the Center for Sustainable Business

13.15-13.30 Concluding Remarks by Maciej Kucharczyk, Vice-President of Social Platform

13.30-14.30 Lunch