Mon, Dec 9: Networking Meeting 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. Ahead of the conference we will meet with NGOs, members of Social Platform members to discuss our key messages to the Latvian Minister of Welfare.

Venue: Riga Graduate School of Law (Strelnieku iela 4k-2)

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

 

AGENDA

09.30-10.00 Arrival and Registration

10.00-10.05 Opening remarks by Pierre Baussand, Director of Social Platform

10.05-10.15  Presentation about Social Platform

By Helen Joseph, Communications and Media Officer

10.15-10.30 Statement by Mr Andris Gobins, President of European Movement – Latvia

Mr Gobins is also a member of the European Economic and Social Committee

10.30-12.30 Workshops (including coffee break)

The workshop discussions will be based on the concerns of Latvian and EU NGOs in order to provide recommendations relevant to the Latvian EU Presidency priorities, and to help improve the situation for civil society in Latvia. The outcomes will form the basis of the discussions at the next day’s Conference, with the Latvian Ministry.

Workshop 1. Involvement of civil society in policy making

Rapporteur: Johanna Nyman (European Youth Forum) and one representative from a Latvian NGO

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. What good experiences have Latvian NGOs had regarding engagement with decision makers? How can we build upon these experiences to encourage the Latvian government to commit to civil dialogue both during and after its Presidency?

Workshop 2. Social inclusion and combating poverty

Rapporteur: Borja Arrue (AGE Platform Europe) and one representative from a Latvian NGO

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. What are the main concerns of Latvian NGOs in relation to the Europe 2020 targets? What are the key recommendations to the Latvian Presidency?

Workshop 3. Access to services of general interest

Rapporteur: Réka Tunyogi (Eurochild) and one representative from a Latvian NGO

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. What are Latvian NGOs’ experiences of the government’s prioritisation of these issues? How can national and EU organisations encourage the Presidency’s engagement?

12.30-13.30 Reporting back from the workshops by the rapporteurs and representatives from the Latvian NGOs

13.30-14.30 Lunch

 

14.30-17.30 Study Visits for the EU delegation to local Latvian NGOs

 

18.00-20.00 DINNER RECEPTION at Restaurant Neiburgs

Invitation to Social Platform 'Social' Networking Dinner