SIMGLOBE Conference: 'A Social Europe Fit for Globalisation', Brussel - Hoofdinhoud

The European Commission is holding a major conference to discuss the social impact of globalisation and the available policy options for tackling them. On this occasion, a recent study for the European Commission will be presented: 'Is Social Europe Fit for Globalisation', which was coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

Among the speakers are José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Vladimir Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Marjeta Cotman, Slovenian Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs, Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, as well as Professor Iain Begg, one of the authors of the study.

This high-level event should be seen as part of the Commission's preparations for a renewed Social Agenda which will be adopted before the summer. It will look at the social challenges that accompany globalisation and explore what policies are needed within the Member States and at the level of global governance to ensure that globalisation becomes a force of social progress.

Globalisation has increased employment and opportunities for economic and social progress and yet many citizens across the European Union fear its negative social impact. In 2006, less than half of EU citizens were confident of keeping their jobs for the next two years (Eurobarometer). Policy makers have to take these concerns seriously and to commit themselves to creating the necessary conditions for citizens to make the most of the opportunities offered by globalisation.

Conference starting at 10.00, at the Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170. Journalists may register on the post from 09.00

Conference website:

http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/simglobe_en.htm

Study 'Is Social Europe Fit for Globalisation – A study of the social impact of globalisation in the European Union':

http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/docs/social_situation/simglobe_fin_rep.pdf

The impact of demographic change:

http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/demo_impact_studies_en.htm

Video news release on the EU Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF).

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/video_prod_en.cfm?type=detail&prodid=4097&src=1

Video news release on ESF project examples in Portugal

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/download/video_download_en.cfm?prodid=4958&name=i056209_in.mpg&type=2&src=1

Special Eurobarometer: European Employment and Social Policy, October 2006

Commissioner Špidla's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/index_en.cfm

Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu

Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu

Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 April: Commissioner for Health at Alcohol Forum - 78 action plans to reduce harmful drinking

EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou will address the European Alcohol and Health Forum and will underline as a very positive sign that only ten months after the Forum's formal launch, and half a year after its first meeting, there are 78 action plans developed by the Forum members which are now being implemented like:

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  Supermarkets doing training programms for cashiers on how to identify minors
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  Companies producing interactiv videos for General Practicioners to watch with their patients and find out if they are at risk of alcoholism

The European Alcohol and Health Forum is a European Commission initiative in which more than 50 businesses and non-governmental organisations cooperate to protect European citizens from the harmful use of alcohol.

The Forum was established in June 2007 - as part of the Commission's strategy on reducing alcohol related harm in Europe - in order to encourage all MS and relevant stakeholders in their efforts to curb under-age drinking, to provide information and education programmes on the effect of harmful drinking, and to promote responsibility in commercial communication and sales.

The Forum is a cornerstone for implementing the EU strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm, adopted by the Commission in November 2006. An estimated 200,000 Europeans die every year because of harmful alcohol use and binge drinking among young people causes serious concern.

According to the recently published special Eurobarometer on Alcohol, one in ten Europeans drinks five or more drinks in one session, which is the widely used definition of binge drinking for men. This figure was particularly high among the youngest respondents. Almost one in five young people in the 15-24 age group (19%) drink five or more alcoholic beverages in one session.

The conference will take place at Centre de conférences Albert Borschette (CCAB); rue Froissart 36, 1040 Bruxelles

Press Conference by Commissioner A. Vassiliou, on Wednesday 16, at 12.30, BERL/Salle de Presse. Time to be confirmed.

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  Available on EbS

MEMO/06/397 - Alcohol-related harm in Europe – Key data

European Commission's website

http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/Forum/alcohol_forum_en.htm

An EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2006/com2006_0625en01.pdf

Commissioner's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/vassiliou/index_en.htm

Nina Papadoulaki +32 2 298 6378 haravgni-nina.papadoulaki@ec.europa.ei

Antonie Kerwien +32 2 2972686 antonie.kerwien@ec.europa.eu