EESC Presentation 2010 Web En

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European Economic andSocial Committee

European Economic and Social Committee


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Democracy cannot exist without the

participation of civil society

Impact: makes EU policies better

Scope: all topics affecting daily life employment

health

consumer rights

farming

fighting organised crime etc.

Why do European citizens need an EESC?


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Why do European citizens need an EESC?


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Our vision: European values

freedom, democracy

and equality

global solidarity,social justice

environmental

responsibility


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Why does the EESC matter?

A unique resource for the EU

because its members:

represent all of civil society

have a wide range of skills and knowledge

enjoy freedom of thought and speech

improve EU laws and policies

promote civil society and social dialogue round the world


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Why does the EESC matter?


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Does the EESC influence EU laws?

Yes. The European

Commission acts on

4 out of 5 EESC

opinions

81%81%Herman Van Rompuy Staffan Nilsson


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The EESC builds ?

better EU

legislation, by

uniting diverging

interests through

CONSENSUS

and issuing

OPINIONS


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participatory democracy,

by involving people in decisions at every level

The EESC builds ?


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The EESC builds ?


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What is organised civil society?

All the groups and organisations that citizens set

up to represent their interests, to achieve a goal,

or to co-operate with like-minded people


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Where the EESC stands in Europe

European Economic

and Social Committee

Committee of

the Regions

European Parliament

Councilof the EU

European Commission


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Strengthening the EU by:

ensuring that EU policies match economic, social and

civic realities

building a more participatory EU, closer to its citizens

promoting EU values and civil society organisations

globally

Our mission


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Our mission


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More than half a century of experience

Founded 1957 Treaty of Rome

Single European Act, Maastricht,

Amsterdam, Nice, and Lisbon Treaties

extend responsibilities


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More than half a century of experience

Signing of the Treaty of Rome 1957


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The Lisbon Treaty = bigger role

EU dialogue with civil society is mandatory

more mandatory consultation areas (sport,

energy, research) increased cooperation with Parliament

citizens initiative


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The Lisbon Treaty = bigger role


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Concrete benefits for the citizens

Some of the success stories

1989 Charter of Fundamental

Social rights (2009: call for a

new social action programme

Agricultural policy reforms

Employment recovery plan

A Programme for Europe


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Whos on the EESC?

344 members

from the 27

Member States

5 year term


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How we work

Nine plenaries a year simple majority vote

Bureau, president and vice-presidents

Three groups:

Employers (Group I),

Workers (Group II),

Other interests (Group III)

Secretariat


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How we work


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How we work: 6 sections

Employment and social affairs Transport, energy, infrastructure and

information society

Single market, consumers

Economic and social cohesion

Agriculture and the environment

External relations


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How we work: 6 sections


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How we work: working bodies

Consultative Commission on Industrial Change

Single Market Observatory

Labour Market Observatory

Lisbon Strategy Observatory

Sustainable Development Observatory


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How we work: working bodies


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At the formal request of the European

Commission, Parliament or Council

On the EESCs own initiative Exploratory opinions

Around 200 opinions every year

How we work: opinions

European Commission, Parliamentor Council makes request

EESC takes own initiative

Autorisation of work by

the Bureau

Rapporteur and Study GroupMembers identified by Groups

Drafting by Rapporteur.

Often assisted by Study Group

Examination and adoptionby sections

Adoption by plenary

Opinion is communicatedas appropriate

Opinion goes to EU institutions


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Auditions, conferences, hearings Networking with other institutions

Young peoples plenary session

Promoting intercultural dialogue through

cultural activities

Over 10 000 visitors in 2009

Internet, publications etc.

How we work: going local, involving people


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How we work: going local, involving people


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What are the challenges for the future?

Europe 2020 strategy

strengthening global links

sustainable development and green jobs

Europes social model


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What are the challenges for the future?


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To contact or visit us

EESC Info [email protected]

EESC Presentation 2010 Web En

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