ILO High-Level Brainstorming Conference on economic, employment and social prospects in Europe

“Towards a social, job-centered and competitive Europe: challenges for Europe and Central Asia – challenges for the ILO”

The employment and social situation in Europe shows a worrying picture: persistent high unemployment, increasing inequalities, a risk of down-grading social dialogue, declining compliance with International Labour Standards.

Several questions have been raised about the appropriateness and implications of the policy responses that were adopted in response to the crisis. Did the policy responses have a real positive impact on the European labour markets and on national policies? Did these responses address the roots of the crisis? How can “Social Europe” be maintained in view of the looming fiscal, social and competitiveness challenges? Is the European social market economy model sustainable?

The ILO High-Level Brainstorming Conference, jointly organized by the ILO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the ILO International Institute for Labour Studies, will bring together fifteen prominent international experts as well as representatives of governments, members of the European Parliament, employers and workers to discuss and develop solutions through which the region can achieve social equality, job-centeredness and competivity.

The Conference will be organized into four sessions which will address the following themes and questions:

• The Great Recession: Has Europe learned the lessons?
• Future Challenges for promoting sustainable, job-centered and socially inclusive growth in
• Europe.
• Europe’s future position in a globalized world.
• The Conference will culminate with a Final round and wrap-up which is expected to be led by ILO Director General Juan Somavia on “The European Crisis: Which way forward” , which will offer some clarity on the ways through which a socially just, job centered and competitive Europe may be achieved.

>> Programme and list of participants

Please be informed that the meeting is not open to media but journalists can request interviews with participants. For additional information please contact: ILO - Regional office Europe and Central Asia: Stefan Giffeler, giffeler@ilo.org or +32 479 06 32 20