Call to Europe – Belgium 2024

Call to Europe: The Future is Social – took place in Brussels on 30 April afternoon and evening and aimed to reignite the transformative power of social-democratic values in shaping tomorrow’s Europe. A future in which EU policymaking shall put well-being and quality of life first. Led by FEPS in collaboration with Eyes on Europe and the Brussels chapters of the socialist and social democratic parties (PSOE Brussels, PD Brussels, SPD Brussels, PS Brussels, PvdA Brussels, PSD Belgium, and Brussels Labour) it was an occasion to gather inputs to shape the next chapter of the EU social action plan and be impactful in the next EU legislature.

How can we expect people to galvanise around the idea of Europe if they don’t perceive that the EU is improving their living standards, opportunities and well-being? Progressives have always been at the forefront of innovative policymaking to reduce inequalities, expand rights and improve working conditions.

It is undebatable that socialist action has achieved a lot in this legislature. So, how can progressives build on this to show that is the way to go for Europe?

The Belgian presidency of the EU is the occasion in which, finally, social investment and socio-economic matters have been put up as European priorities. In this conference, we therefore asked how social democracy can revitalise the passion around the European project and showcase that leadership that can pave the way for a future that thrives on inclusivity, sustainability and collective prosperity.

Among our speakers:

• Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights
• Fernando Mariano Sampedro Marcos, State Secretary for Europe, Spain 
• Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, author of the Report “Much More than a Market – Speed, Security, Solidarity” 
• Kate Pickett, Professor at the University of York, author of “The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone’s Well-Being” and of “The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone”
• Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President and Chair of PES Financial and Economic Network
• Bruno Tobback, Member of the Flemish Parliament
• Heather Roy, President of Social Platform and Secretary General of Eurodiaconia
• Claes-Mikael Stahl, Deputy Secretary General, ETUC
• Vivien A. Schmidt, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Boston University and author of the book “Europe’s Crisis of Legitimacy: Governing by Rules and Ruling by Numbers in the Eurozone”
• Nika Kovač, Director of the 8 March Institute and coordinator of the European Citizens’ Initiative My Voice My Choice
• Alain Coheur, Director of EU and International Affairs, SOLIDARIS & Member of the European Economic and Social Committee
• Hendrik Nahr, Head of European Affairs, Make.org
• Gloria Ghéquière, Member of Cabinet, Belgian Minister for Social Affairs and Health, Frank Vandenbrouke
• Francesco Corti, Member of Cabinet, Belgian Minister for Social Affairs and Health 

What could you expect?

• Afternoon at FEPS Office with a talk on “what social means today” and a political session to respond to different “Call to Europe” pitches plus a series of parallel workshops on:
  • Health and Care Services for All
  • Artificial Democracy? Protecting Society from Disruptive Disinformation
  • Innovation in Employment and Social Affairs
  • Taxing Billionaires to Finance Climate Justice
• Evening session at the Académie Royale de Belgique, for a networking drink among socialist and social-democratic activists and political inputs on the Spanish and Belgian EU Presidencies and the EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit

-> The event was hosted in two distinct venues <-

For more information regarding this event, please contact Vanessa Zwisele, FEPS Project Officer (vanessa.zwisele@feps-europe.eu) or Euléane Omez, FEPS Project Management Coordinator, (euleane.omez@feps-europe.eu).