Launch Conference of the Progressive Economy Initiative

LAUNCH CONFERENCE OF
THE PROGRESSIVE ECONOMY INITIATIVE

FAILED AUSTERITY IN EUROPE – THE WAY OUT

On  Thursday, 7 March 2013, 09.00-18.00, European Parliament building, Brussels, the Progressive Economy initiative will be officially launched at the occasion of a major event in Brussels, in the premises of the European Parliament. This is a joint initiative by the S&D Group in the European Parliament and by the Foundation for European progresive Stuidies (FEPS).

A one-day conference entitled “Failed austerity in Europe – the way out” will bring together leading speakers from politics, academia, trade unions and media.

Speakers at the conference will include the French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici, the Minister for Labour from Luxembourg Nicolas Schmit, the Deputy Secretary General and chief economist of the OECD, Pier Carlo Padoan, internationally renowned progressive economists, such as Professor James K. Galbraith from the USA, Professor Jean-Paul Fitoussi from Paris, or Professor Dr. Gustav Horn from Germany, and the Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation, Bernadette Ségol, alongside leading members of the S&D Group in the European Parliament.

In addition to the high-level panels in the plenary room of the event, three more focused workshops will be held during the morning session with experts in their fields.

A final debate will include leading politicians who will debate how progressive forces can win the current battle of ideas in the economic and social field; This will include Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, Secretary general of the Spanish Socialist Party PSOE, Hannes Swoboda, President of the S&D Parliamentary Group in the European Parliament, and Massimo d’Alema, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and fomer Prime Minister of Italy.

All debates will be moderated by professionals, in order to ensure stimulating discussions among speakers and with the audience.

This conference is not a one-off event. It is part of an ambitious and new undertaking in order to contribute to the enrichment and advancement of progressive thinking and initiatives in the economic and social fields in Europe.

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