Brussels, 27/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - To mark the 20th anniversary of European social dialogue, launched in January 1985 by Jacques Delors, the European Commission is organising a Social Dialogue Summit on 29 September at the Palais d'Egmont in Brussels. Chaired by José Manuel Barroso, this summit will bring together representatives from the six European social partners (ETUC, for the unions, UNICE for the employers, UEAPME for the small and medium-sized enterprises, CEEP for companies that receive public funding) as well as high-level representatives from their national member organisations. Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, responsible for social policy, employment and equal opportunities and British vice prime minister John Prescott will be attending.
The first part of the summit is dedicated to a celebration of 20 years of European social dialogue, with contributions from the key actors: former President of the European Commission Jacques Delors, Emilio Gabaglio (former Secretary General of the ETUC), Wilfried Beirnaert (former member of UNICE) and Jacques Fournier (former member of the CEEP). Representatives from the unions and employers in newer Member States will report back on their experiences and Vladimir Spidla will draw conclusions from these contributions.
The second part will focus on the future of European social dialogue, particularly on its contribution to the Lisbon strategy, and future of the European social model. President Barroso will be making a speech on this subject, followed by the presidents of UNICE Ernest-Antoine Seillière, and the ETUC Candido Mendez (and/or its Secretary General John Monks), Joao Cravinho (CEEP) and Paul Reckinger (UEAPME). These contributions will focus on the second European social partners' multi-annual work programme, as well as on the role of the social partners in the modernisation of the European social model in view of the Informal EU Heads of State and Governments Summit in London on 27-28 October. Commission Spidla will also be making a contribution to the debate and President Barroso will draw the conclusions from this festive event. Both Mr Barroso and Mr Spidla will give a press conference at 17H30 at the Palais d'Egmont.