High-Level Conference: European Pillar of Social Rights

Date: 15 – 16 April 2024

Address: La Hulpe, Belgium

The European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles 

This two-day conference will serve as the overarching culmination of the work of the Belgian Presidency within the EPSCO Council configuration and has as its highlight the signing of an interinstitutional declaration on the future social agenda of the European Union. 

The European Pillar of Social Rights as a compass

During the past years, the European Union and its citizens have been exposed to several crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crises. These crises reminded us of the critical importance of strong social welfare states to show resilience and boost fast recovery and emphasised the importance of European cooperation to confront common challenges.

In the future, climate change, the green and digital transitions, demographic changes and geopolitical instability will pose new challenges to our economies, societies and welfare states.

To prepare our welfare states for these challenges and to mitigate their impact on our citizens, the further implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights is key.

The European Pillar of Social Rights provides a comprehensive framework of principles that guide our EU and national policies on equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion. Strengthening the implementation of its principles is crucial to achieve a Europe that cares, prepares and protects.

Objectives and topics discussed

The goal of the High-Level Conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights is to bring together policymakers, stakeholders and experts to deliberate on the further implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Through engaging discussions, insightful panels, and collaborative workshops, participants will explore possible venues and actions to consolidate the Pillar’s principles and ensure its further implementation in the years to come, making a difference in the daily lives of Europeans.

In the plenary discussions, ministers of employment and social affairs from member states will tackle pivotal questions about future challenges and priorities: How can social and employment policies foster human capital development, increase competitiveness, and innovation, and make our societies more inclusive? How can we achieve a fair and just transition? How can we strengthen upward social convergence and solidify the EU social level-playing field?

The break-out sessions will delve into selected topics, such as:

• A gender equal access to the labour market with an intersectional perspective
• Ensuring access to social protection for all in a changing labour market
• Fair working conditions: artificial intelligence and algorithmic management
• Achieving the Porto targets by 2030: the role of analysis, monitoring and statistical capacity
• Labour market policies for a fair transition: the right to upskilling and reskilling
• The EU Child Guarantee: investing in children, for high social, education and economic returns

The La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of Social Europe

The final objective of the Conference is to adopt an interinstitutional Declaration signed by the EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU), social partners and civil society. The aim of the declaration is to prepare the future social agenda of the 2024-2029 period and to reconfirm the European Pillar of Social Rights as the EU social policy compass for years to come.

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan

Programme

Programme Of The High Level Conference On The European Pillar Of Social Rights 15 16 April 2024 – PDF – 1.8Mb – Download document