Session 1: Managing (Un)employment: Jobs and Skills in the Crisis
Date: Thursday 26 April 12 - 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm
Type: Interactive sessions
Until recently, one believed that the European economy could expand continuously: however, after years of plenty, the meager years have arrived dramatically. Since then, unemployment went up. Average unemployment in the EU27 was 9,5% of the working population (nearly 22,8 million individuals) in August 2011, while youth unemployment in the EU27 reached over 21% in the same month.
Work is essential for any citizen for his or her income, personal development and participation in society. The frustration of the unemployed today should not be seed for dis-connection, but be replied by putting in place policies that allow companies to create enough jobs and motivate the unemployed to re-integrate in the labour market quickly. Part of the challenge is to respond to the longstanding European paradox of simultaneous unemployment and unfilled vacancies. This crisis offers the opportunity to start, at least, with fundamental labour market reforms, changes and more effective educational investments that were postponed over the last decennia too often in too many member states. How should a road-map for labour market reforms look like? What are the best ways to continue to invest in education in spite of current and possibly remaining financial strains? How can the EU and especially Member States move from declaration to implementation, avoiding that Europe 2020 become Lisbon II and what can companies contribute to this in partnership?
Moderator
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Bruno Lanvin
Executive Director of INSEAD
Speakers
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Bernadette Ségol
General Secretary of European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
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Henryka Bochniarz
President of Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan
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Patrick Deconinck
Senior Vice President (Western Europe) of 3M
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Philippe de Buck
Director General of BUSINESSEUROPE