Europe and the economic crisis: quo vadis?
This conference aims, on the basis of interventions by policy-makers and academics, to interpret the EU’s economic situation, 2 years after the beginning of the financial crisis and to set out what the EU can tangibly do with a view to realising the EU 2020 strategy. Above all, the focus will put on what impact the crisis is having on employment in the EU and on what instruments the EU has to face this challenge.
The consequences of the financial and economic crisis are very palpable. Many jobs have been lost over recent months, while many people are living in fear of what might happen. Very often, in transnational crises of this kind, we look to Europe for a solution. The EU must grab this opportunity with both hands. The following questions will thus be key over the coming months. Can the EU reconcile its traditional economic approach with more social concerns as they arise from the crisis? Will the EU be able to take on a more proactive role in the field of employment policy? Will the Treaty of Lisbon have an effective impact on employment and macro-economic policy? To what extent are national support measures for employment compliant with EU legislation? What role can/must the EU play in future restructuring dossiers? Does the recent Opel case represent a good gauge on which to assess the EU’s activity. To what extent must the (European) social partners be more involved in cross-border restructuring? To what extent is the European Globalisation Fund an active tool to realise the aims of the EU 2020 strategy?