Civil Society Days Brussels-Citizens Advice Bureau Spain Agenda

‘Civil Society Days’ Citizens Advice Bureau Spain Agenda Brussels. visit by adviser Myra Cecilia Azzopardi.

Besides the agenda below. I am also making arrangements to meet various members of EESC and ECAS. This is to discuss the many issues that our citizens are experiencing such as residency and healthcare issues. Awaiting confirmation for some of the dates.

Please ‘Donate Here’

Arrival: 30 May 2016
Departure: 02 June 2016

Agenda

Tuesday 31 May 2016

10.30 a.m. Registration & welcome coffee

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Opening session

Welcome by Georges Dassis, EESC President

Gesine Schwan, President and co-founder of the Humboldt-Viadrina governance platform
Keynote speech: Reinventing Europe or a Europe of fear and regression?

Discussion with representatives from the EU institutions and civil society, moderated by Vladimir Vasak, Arte TV (tbc):

Cécile Kyenge, Rapporteur for the Report on the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration, European Parliament

Manuela Geleng, Acting Director, DG EMPL, European Commission. Netherlands Presidency of the Council of the EU

Conny Reuter, Co-President of the EESC Liaison Group

The opening session serves as an introduction to the workshops, setting the topics and challenges to be addressed.

1 p.m. Lunch break
2.30 – 5.30 p.m. Integration and inclusion

Setting the scene: Christa Schweng, rapporteur of the EESC opinion on integration of refugees in the EU

Parallel workshops on

Workshop 1: Education and youth
Workshop 2: Social integration and the role of CSO
Workshop 3: Responses to the root causes of migration

5.30 p.m. Evening reception

Wednesday 1 June 2016

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Between security and freedom – a societal balance
Prof. Mauro Magatti, Università Cattolica di Milano
Keynote speech: ‘On a fundamental rights perspective and balance’

Discussion with participants, moderated by Monika Hoegen, journalist

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Parallel workshops on

Workshop 4: Freedom of expression

Workshop 5: Freedom of movement (reestablishment of borders, social security entitlements and legal rights for EU mobile citizens)

Workshop 6: Living together … or in parallel societies: How can civil society help prevent marginalisation and radicalisation? How to preserve our freedoms in face of increasing security threats?

1 – 2.30 p.m. Lunch break

2.30 – 4 p.m. Closing session

Jo Leinen, Member of the European Parliament and president of the European Movement International

Paul Dujardin, Chief Executive Officer – Artistic Director of BOZAR

Responses from the workshop organisers, linking to workshop results
Closing remarks by Conny Reuter.

Detailed written reports from the workshops will be published on the website after the conference.

I Will not be able to attend all programs so have chosen workshops with the subjects that are relative to citizens in Spain. Workshops 2 and 5.

Workshop 2: “Social Integration and CSOs” – Organised by CEV

This session will address the role of CSOs in helping citizens become socially integrated and will be approached in two parts. The session will be opened by ‘scene setting’ inputs from EESC SOC section, CEV and Volonteurope.

This will be followed by the first panel discussion that will explore how CSOs contribute to ensuring that citizens have access to the services and protection measures needed in order to improve, or ensure a minimum, of economic and health security.

A second panel discussion after the coffee break will explore the role of CSOs in supporting social integration through developing cultural confidence and awareness in citizens and in facilitating their continued engagement with education (formal and non-formal), work and training.

The closing panel is entitled ‘Integration, CSOs and cross-sector partnerships’ and will include speakers from the business sector, and from London, the European Volunteering Capital 2016.

Opening Panel: ‘Value of CSOs for social integration’
• Lejla Šehić Relić, CEV, Volunteer Centre Osijek
• Laura de Bonfils, Volonteurope
• Pavel Trantina, European Economic and Social Committee
Panel 1: Explore how CSOs contribute to ensuring that citizens have access to the services and protection measures needed in order to improve, or ensure a minimum, of economic and health security.
• Denis Haveaux, Director, Red Cross EU Office
• Luk Zelderloo, Director, EASPD
• Jozo Radoš, Member of the European Parliament (tbc)
• Marie-Anne Paraskevas, Senior Policy Officer, Unit “ESF and FEAD: Policy & Legislation, DG EMPL, European Commission
• Ignazio Corrao, Member of the European Parliament (tbc)

Panel 2: Explore the role of CSOs in supporting social integration through developing cultural awareness & confidence in citizens and in facilitating their continued engagement with education (formal and non-formal), work and training.
• Mohammed Azahaf, Immigration and intercultural dialogue expert
• Katherine Heid, Culture Action Europe
• Antonio Silva Mendes, Director, Youth and Sport, DG EAC, European Commission
Closing panel: ‘Integration, CSOs and cross-sector partnerships’
• Natalie Cramp, European Volunteering Capital – London 2016
• Lucila Ballarino, Telefonica Foundation
• Sara Queila Brito Lopes, CLW Woluwe

Workshop 5: “Freedom of Movement in the EU: Challenges and Prospects for EU citizens” – organised by the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS)

The unprecedented refugee crises and the terrorist attacks have had an impact on free movement in the EU. In times when the EU is in a dire need for re-gaining the confidence of its citizens in the European project, rolling back the most notable European achievement by re-installing borders may have long-lasting effects including an impact on European identity.

The workshop “Freedom of Movement in the EU: Challenges and Prospects for EU citizens” will be comprised of two consecutive panels:

Workshop will be moderated by Niklaus Nuspliger, Political Correspondent for European Affairs for the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

Panel 1: Freedom of Movement: benefits and challenges for citizens

The panel will explore:
• current trends with regard to free movement in the EU;
• challenges faced by citizens “in limbo” with regard to access to social security rights, health insurance, recognition of professional qualifications etc. and
• the impact of the “deal” between the UK and the EU with regard to the EU migrants’ benefits on citizens’ rights of the British and the European citizens.
Speakers:
• Pieter Cleppe, Head of Open Europe Brussels
• László Andor, Former Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
• Paul Minderhoud, Associate professor at the Centre for Migration Law of the Radboud University Nijmege
• Anthony Valcke, Solicitor, EU Rights Clinic

Panel 2: The future of the Schengen agreement as a common area of freedom, security and justice

The panel will discuss:
• current proposals for the revision of the Schengen agreement and their impact on free movement and the European citizenship
• the cost of non-Schengen for the EU taxpayers
Speakers:
• Luca Jahier, President of Group III of the EESC
• Tanja Fajan, Member of the European Parliament
• Boris Le Hir, Project manager, France Stratégie
• Elena Dulguerova, Legal officer, Schengen borders management unit of DG HOME

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.