Nov. 12.– The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the EU’s national Economic and Social Councils discussed at their annual meeting the integration of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, the EU’s open strategic autonomy and enhancing the EESC’s role following the Conference on the Future of Europe.
European organised civil society can and must contribute to providing an effective answer to the EU’s current geopolitical challenges, such as the integration of people fleeing the war in Ukraine and the need for a strategic autonomy.
These are the main takeaways of the annual meeting of the presidents and secretaries-general of the EESC and the EU’s national Economic and Social Councils, hosted by the Romanian Economic and Social Council in Bucharest on 9-10 November 2022.
Referring to the vital on-the-ground work carried out by civil society organisations, EESC president Christa Schweng said: “Civil society is in a position to inform policy-makers and the public on what works well, but also on shortcomings and dangers. In times of crisis, it is the first port of call. When the war broke out, it mobilised its organisations with lightning speed to come to the aid of the most vulnerable.”
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