EU Spending that Empowers: for an inclusive and more resilient Europe

Join the second FEPS COVID Response Webinar: 30 April 2020 from 10:00 to 11:30

This public online event will be the occasion to discuss how government spending targeted to social outcomes can play a role in the recovery strategy from the pandemic. We will count with the participation of Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. It will be an opportunity to reflect on how a social investment approach could play a role in the reconstruction of European welfare systems and how it can find its place in the next budget of the European Union.

 “Society creates its future through investments. Still, for a very long time, investments have been a peripheral issue on the EU agenda, including in debates on possible reforms of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)” László Andor, FEPS Secretary General. 

Building on the FEPS Policy Study “Social Investment Now! Advancing Social Europe through the EU Budget” by Anton Hemerijck, Robin Huguenot-Noel, Francesco Corti and David Rinaldi, the webinar will revise how important changes in the EU’s economic, social and political environment conspire behind a growing case for the EU to embrace social investment beyond two-decade lip-service.

PROGRAMME

Introduction and Moderation by László Andor, FEPS Secretary General and former European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

Presentation by Anton Hemerijck, European University Institute, on “Social Investment Now! Returns on investment for a more resilient and inclusive Europe”

Speech by Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights on the role of social investment in the European recovery plan from the pandemic

Debate with:

• Irene Tinagli, Member of the European Parliament (S&D Group), Chair of the ECON Committee
  

• Lieve Fransen, Director of Europa Insights, author of “Money talks: Boosting investment in social infrastructure“, publication “Public services futures: welfare states in the digital age”

Register to the event through Zoom

Follow the event by Facebook Live in FEPS FB Page