Draft programme for euromed summit

EN

20 years on from the Barcelona Declaration, the key challenges for the Euro-Mediterranean region
Programme

30 November	Key challenges for the Euro-Mediterranean region
8.30 – 9.30 a.m.	Registration
9.30 – 11 a.m.	Opening session Welcome speech Georges Dassis, EESC President The political situation in the Euromed region and the challenges it faces 20 years on from the Barcelona Declaration Moderator: Dilyana Slavova, president of the EESC Section for External Relations Nizar Baraka, President of the Moroccan ESEC Marcos Peña, President of the Spanish ESC Delphine Borione, Deputy Secretary-General, Union for the Mediterranean Christian Berger, Director for the Mideast and North Africa, EEAS Sergio Piccolo, Advisor to the Director, DG NEAR, European Commission Discussion
11 - 11.30 a.m.	Coffee break
11.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	A new European Neighbourhood Policy Moderator: Marianne Nati-Stoffel, Secretary-General of the Luxembourg ESC To what extent will the EU's new neighbourhood policy enable it to respond to the challenges facing the region? What are the key issues for the Euromed region right now? How do relations between the EU and its southern neighbourhood currently stand? Sergio Piccolo, Advisor to the Director, DG NEAR, European Commission Madlen Serban, Director, European Training Foundation Conny Reuter, Secretary-General, SOLIDAR Grace Attard, Rapporteur for the report on the situation of women in the Euro-Mediterranean region Salim Salamah, Blogger and activist, Palestinian Human Rights League - Syria Discussion
1 - 2.30 p.m.	Lunch at the invitation of the EESC
2.30 - 4 p.m.	Prospects for regional dialogue Moderator: Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, EESC member What are the future prospects for the Euromed region in view of the challenges discussed earlier in the day? What can drive cooperation and regional integration? How does the regional dialogue benefit the EU and its southern partners? José Luis Vinuesa, Head of Sector, Regional Programmes Neighbourhood South, DG NEAR Mohammed Seghir Babès, President of the Algerian National Economic and Social Council (CNES) Lurdes Vidal, Head of the Department for the Arab and Mediterranean World, IEMed Bichara Khader, Professor, Study and Research Group on the Contemporary Arab World, Catholic University of Leuven (UCL) Discussion
4 – 4.30 p.m.	Coffee break
4.30 - 6 p.m.	Involvement of economic and social stakeholders in the development of the region Moderator: Shaher Saad, Secretary General, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions How can economic and social stakeholders share in the prosperity of the region and in its economic and social development? What is their role in the development of participatory democracy? What specific contributions can they make in the dialogue with the authorities? Felix Peinado, Spanish ESC Kacem Afaya, Deputy Secretary-General, General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary-General, Eurochambres Carlos Lozano, Coordinator of the ESMED Network Discussion
1 December: Working together to address the challenge of migration and refugees
9.30 - 11 a.m.	Long-term perspective, integration Moderator: Roger Nasnas, President of the Lebanese ESC What contribution can migrants make to society across Europe? Current examples of good practice by civil society in the integration of asylum seekers Vocational training – a key factor in integration? Thomas Huddleston, Policy analyst, Migration Policy Group Cinzia Del Rio, EESC member Johan Leman, President of the Foyer association, Molenbeek Discussion
11 - 11.30 a.m.	Coffee break
11.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Humanitarian issues Moderator: Arjola Alika, Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania How can civil society play its part in the reception of refugees, both North and South? What are the long-term prospects for the refugees currently in refugee camps in Europe's neighbourhood? What role should civil society play in combating migrant trafficking? What solutions can be found to ensure a safe passage to Europe? Brenda King, EESC member Kamel Mohanna, President of the Amel Association Carole Mansour, director of the documentary “Not who we are” Taïb Madmad, Secretary-General, Moroccan Human Rights Association Discussion
1 - 2.30 p.m.	Lunch at the invitation of the EESC
2.30 - 4 p.m.	Political issues Moderator: Dimitris Dimitriadis, EESC member How should this challenge be incorporated into the relationship between the EU and its southern partners as well as into the national dialogue of all of the individual countries? What impact is this crisis having on regional and bilateral relations in the Euromed region? How can civil society have a policy input with regard to migration issues? Cristian Pîrvulescu, EESC member Ahmed Majdalani, former Minister for Labour and President of the Palestinian ESC Dan Catarivas, Director, Manufacturers' Association of Israel Osman Yildiz, General Secretary, HAK-İŞ Confederation of Workers Discussion
4 - 4.15 p.m.	Coffee break
4.15 - 5 p.m.	Adoption of the final declaration José María Zufiaur, President of the Euromed Follow-up Committee

Practical information:

Venue: European Economic and Social Committee (room JDE 62), Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels

Interpreting: English/Arabic/Croatian/Spanish/French

Contact: [e-mail]


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