The SOC Section deals with a broad range of policy areas including employment and working conditions, social policy and integration, gender equality, disability issues, public health, justice and home affairs (including immigration), and education and training. The section’s activities cover...

The present report gathers 21 contributions received from national Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) and similar institutions, civil society organisations and members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in relation to their implications and activities regarding the 2012...

With a critical juncture already fast approaching,the Greek Presidency of the EU represents an opportunity that Europe cannot afford to miss, a chance to influence the direction of change and build a Europe that feels more tangible and familiar to its citizens. At the elections next May,the...

The European Economic and Social Committee is staking its claim to be a committed partner for the Italian presidency of the European Union, thus giving a voice to civil society organisations throughout the next six-month period. It has been asked by the presidency to carry out a mid-term...

If the various data are combined, the only conclusion to be drawn is that the effects of the crisis and the social consequences of the economic downturn are largely related to the economic and social policies of a country's government. A review of the basic socioeconomic indicators for the...

While Latvia had one of the world’s fastest growth rates before the recession, it has lost about a quarter of its GDP since the recession hit. Although the economy is now growing at a good pace, the projections of the ministry for economic affairs suggest that, at best, it will not be able to...

This report has been written in the framework of the EU-funded research project “Support for Farmers’ Cooperatives”. This project was commissioned by the European Commission DG Agriculture and Rural Development, and carried out in 2011 and 2012 by a large consortium of researchers from...

The evaluation of the Commission’s co-operation with the Philippines is part of the 2009 evaluation programme as approved by External Relations and Development Commissioners and aiming at ensuring accountability for the management of the allocated funds as well as promoting a lesson-learning...