Brussels, 23/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - "Pension Funds, leverage for social responsibility by enterprises in Europe?" is the theme of the conference-debate to be held on 12 September in Brussels, at the European Parliament. Co-sponsored by the Paris-based association Confrontations and by the Forum for Responsible Investment (Paris), the conference will review the state of advancement of the future directive on institutions for occupational retirement provision (IORP). The proceedings will be divided into two round tables: (1) the first, chaired by Emma Howard Boy, Chair of Eurosif, will discuss the question of whether the European directive on institutions for occupational retirement provision must establish rules and create incentives for socially responsible management. Participants will include Belgian Minister for Pensions and Social Affairs Frank Vandenbroucke and MEP Othmar Karas (ÖVP), rapporteur for the IORP directive; (2) the second, chaired by French Communist Philippe Herzog, President of Confrontations, will debate the means by which civil society can take part in overseeing and defining strategies for the investment of pension funds. Participants will include Nicole Notat, Chair of a European social and environmental ratings agency, Richard Howitt (Labour, UK) and Eurocadres President Michel Rousselot. The concluding remarks will be made by Bernhard Jansen, Director at the Commission's DG for Employment and Social Affairs. Information: Confrontations, Tel.: 00 33 (0)1 49 88 11 84 (Paris), 00 32 (0)2 284 91 23 (Brussels). E-mail: confrontations@wanadoo.fr. Internet: http: //http://www.confrontations.org