When: 14 December 2023, 8.45 -15.00
Where: TownHall Europe, Square de Meeûs 5-6, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Registration now closed
In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, the Council of Europe and Social Platform will join forces to host a roundtable discussion in Brussels dedicated to deepening the understanding of the pivotal role played by the European Social Charter in safeguarding and advancing social rights. The event aims to go beyond a mere acknowledgment of social rights, emphasising their gradual progression and realisation, particularly in the context of combating poverty, addressing social exclusion, and fostering a society grounded in principles of social justice, equal opportunity, and fair work and living conditions.
This event will bring together representatives of governments, civil society and social partners, as well as representatives of the Council of Europe, European Commission, European Parliament, Fundamental Rights Agency, ILO, etc. The gathering aims to foster an essential dialogue, cultivating a shared understanding of the pivotal role played by the European Social Charter.
Please note the event will be bilingual, with English – French interpretation.
A more detailed background and introduction to the event is available to read here.
Event objectives:
- Highlight the role of the European Social Charter as an international law instrument and the collective complaints mechanisms as a good governance tool.
- Discuss social rights as a common mission for the Council of Europe and the European Union.
- Explore the synergies and collaborative efforts required among institutions and stakeholders, aiming to enhance the realisation of social rights and address challenges collectively
- Examine practical ways of ensuring synergy between the European Social Charter and the EU Social Pillar. Explore actionable strategies and policy implementations that strengthen the integration of the Charter into broader EU social policy goals.
Outcomes:
- Collecting concrete ideas for the effective implementation of the Charter, including the role and contribution of the EU and other actors in achieving this goal.
- Promote knowledge sharing and best practices in the work with the Charter and the collective complaints mechanism.
- Empower civil society and trade unions for effective advocacy for social rights using the European Social Charter tools and procedures.
- Visibility and knowledge about the European Social Charter system is increased.
Draft Programme
08.45 Welcome Coffee & Registration
09.15 Opening Remarks and Welcome
Moderator: Laura de Bonfils, Secretary General, Social Platform
In opening the event our high-level panel will frame the day’s discussions, highlighting the important role of the European Social Charter from the perspectives of different European Institutions and civil society and the need for the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Charter work in synergy.
- Christophe POIREL, Director of Human Rights, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
- Eamon GILMORE, EU Special Representative for Human Rights
- Aoife NOLAN, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
- Denis GENTON, Director, European Pillar of Social Rights, Strategy, DG EMPL (tbc)
Questions and answers, all participants.
09.45 : Panel 1: Advancing Social Rights: The role of the European Social Charter in synergy with the European Pillar of Social Rights
The session will commence with an overview by Olivier de Schutter, Professor at UC Louvain and Sciences Po and UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, who will present key findings from his study on “The European Pillar of Social Rights and the role of the European Social Charter in the European Union legal order”.
We will then briefly hear a short intervention from the panellists:
- Christophe Poirel, Director of Human Rights, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
- Denis Genton, Director, European Pillar of Social Rights, Strategy, DG EMPL
- Julie Gomis, Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter & Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé, Ministère du Travail, France (tbc)
- Peter Verhaeghe, Advocacy Director, Caritas Europa, Belgium
- Drahoslav Stefanek, Chair of COHOM, European External Action Service
Interventions from the floor:
- Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, EEAS
- Karin Lukas, Former President of the European Committee of Social Rights (tbc)
- Drahoslav Stefanek, Chair of COHOM, EEAS
– Questions and answers, open discussions, all participants
11.45 Coffee Break
12.00 Panel II: Harnessing Change: Exploring the Collective Complaints Mechanism for Advancing Social Rights
Moderator: Jan Malinowski, Head of Department of Social Rights, Council of Europe
This panel delves into the practical application of the collective complaints mechanism as a concrete good governance tool for advancing social rights. The discussion will feature insights from civil society, social partners, representatives from institutions and governments. The focus will be on sharing experiences, achievements and challenges faced in utilising the mechanism and the impact collective complaints have in progressing social rights.
Panellists
- Giuseppe Palmisano, Professor of International Law, University of Rome, Former President of the European Committee of Social Rights
- Stefan Clauwaert, Senior Legal and Human Rights Advisor, European Trade Union Confederation
- Anne Bergheim-Negre, President of University Women of Europe (UWE)
- Senada Sali – Legal Director, European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)
- Jessica Nguyen, Policy & Advocacy Manager, European Youth Forum
Questions and answers, open discussions, all participants
13.30 Conclusions and follow-up:
The roundtable discussion will close with an intervention looking to the future of EU Social Policy and the European Pillar of Social Rights and upcoming plans under the Belgian Presidency of the EU on the road to La Hulpe Declaration and the importance of considering the European Social Charter in this process as the most advanced legal instrument at pan-European level that can provide such an extensive and complete protection of social rights.
- Aoife Nolan, President of the European Committee of Social Rights
- Dr. Francesco Corti Social Affairs Advisor to Minister Vandenbroucke, Belgium
- Laura de Bonfils, Secretary General, Social Platform
