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Secretariat of COMECE (Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union)

COMECE Secretariat

COMECE represents Catholic bishops across EU countries, engaging on social and ethical issues from a religious perspective.

Lobbying Activity

EU Bishops group urges state aid exemptions for non-profit organizations

6 Oct 2025
Topic — The Commission is updating rules that exempt specific state aid categories from prior approval.
Message — The group calls for rules reflecting that non-profits differ from commercial businesses. They propose lower funding hurdles and including religious sites in heritage aid categories.12
Why — These adjustments would reduce the financial burden on religious and charitable organizations seeking aid.3
Impact — Commercial service providers might lose their competitive advantage over non-profit organizations in public sectors.45
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Meeting with Natasha Bertaud (Cabinet of Commissioner Magnus Brunner)

3 Jul 2025 · Discussion on the Art 17 Dialogue Exchange of views on the EU migration and asylum policy

Meeting with Philippe Lamberts (Principal Adviser Inspire, Debate, Engage and Accelerate Action)

5 Jun 2025 · Participation in a debate on the just transition organised by the European Laudato Si Alliance at the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical

Meeting with Sabine Verheyen (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Jun 2025 · Religion Policies

Meeting with Laura Ballarín Cereza (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2025 · EU - Vatican relations

Meeting with Željana Zovko (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Mar 2025 · Interreligious dialogue

Meeting with Clemens Ladenburger (Deputy Director-General Legal Service)

5 Feb 2025 · Priority areas of the new European Commission - Justice & Fundamental Rights.

Meeting with Oliver Schenk (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · EU-China relations

Meeting with Antonella Sberna (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Dec 2024 · Article 17 TFEU

Meeting with Anna Bonfrisco (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Feb 2024 · Exchange of views in preparation of a seminar on human trafficking

Meeting with György Hölvényi (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Dec 2023 · Christian democracy

Meeting with Anja Haga (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Sept 2023 · Freedom of Religion or Belief

Meeting with Ildikó Voller-Szenci (Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi)

11 Sept 2023 · Enlargement policy

Meeting with György Hölvényi (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Jun 2023 · Humanitarian aid

Meeting with Michaela Šojdrová (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Youth Forum and

23 May 2023 · European Solidarity Corps

Meeting with Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

28 Feb 2023 · Social Economy

Meeting with Kathleen Van Brempt (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Feb 2023 · Mercosur

Response to European Year of Skills 2023

14 Dec 2022

In our role of stakeholders and partners of the EU institutions, Don Bosco International (DBI), the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) and the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) contribute with this written input to the open consultation on the European Commissions proposal on the Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a European Year of Skills 2023. Our work in the areas of education and training in Brussels and the local presence of our members in the EU encourages us to contribute to the initiative launched by the President of the European Commission in September 2022. While appreciating this new initiative, especially after the European Year of Youth 2022, we would like to propose our perspective and recommendations to make the European Year of Skills more holistic and inclusive of the various aspects that characterise education and training. The attached joint contribution gathers our suggestions and recommendations for the European Year of Skills.
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Meeting with Sylvie Brunet (Member of the European Parliament) and Caritas Europa

6 Dec 2022 · Revenu minimum

Response to Developing social economy framework conditions

30 Sept 2022

Ten years after the Commission’s 2011 Social Business Initiative, the European Commission adopted a Social Economy Action Plan on 9th December 2021 to deepen opportunities for the Social Economy in the EU and make sure it is adequately recognised. At present, although the visibility and acknowledgement of the social economy increased, evidence shows that measures taken by Member States have not always led to a positive change. In addition, there are disparities between Member States. According to the European Commission, while the Social Economy represents 0.6% of paid employment in some countries, it achieves almost 10% in others, with an average of 6.3%. The Action Plan foresees a series of measures and initiative, including a Council Recommendation on the Social Economy, scheduled in 2023. The Council Recommendation aims to help Member States to better adapt their policies and legal frameworks to the specific needs and entities of the social economy, in all relevant fields, to unlock all the potential of the social economy. To prepare for this, the European Commission launched a call for evidence opened until 30 September 2022. COMECE presents in this document a contribution in response to the consultation to define the framework conditions of the Social Economy. The contribution is presented around three points: 1. Basis for the contribution: a major reference for COMECE is the corpus of texts known as the "Catholic Social Teaching". We will first outline some of the convergences between this corpus and the principles of the Social Economy. 2. Proposal of a major axis for identifying the Social Economy: based on the last three texts of the Catholic Social Teaching, we propose a central reference for identifying, and thus framing, the Social Economy: the creation of "relational" wealth. 3. Proposal of concrete framework conditions: declination of the central reference to identify the social economy into concrete proposals to support its development.
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Meeting with Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

19 Sept 2022 · Social Economy and the SEAP implementation

Response to Improving the provision of digital skills in education and training

16 Sept 2022

Provision and learning of digital skills are gaining ground in the educational ecosystem, especially after the immediate shift to distance learning generated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid changes of digitalisation in the labour market. While improving the level of digital skills of EU citizens remains an important objective of the EU, specific challenges ought to be analysed in advance. Teachers’ digital skills should be considered as important as learners’ ones. A 2018 study conducted in the EU showed that resistance of teachers and their lack of interest in ICT use are the main obstacles to digital teaching and learning. Since pupils cannot learn through unskilled teachers, they will struggle to pick up these competences during their studies, i.e. lack of pedagogical ability in ICT use negatively affects digitalisation of schools and institutes. Ensuring teachers’ learning of basic digital skills and promoting balanced programmes of digital and in-presence education will allow learners to progress in their digital skills and social competences, granting quality education. The pandemic worsened the digital gap caused by families’ different socio-economic conditions: since not all families can afford the expense of electronic devices and/or have internet access, this leads to disparity in learning opportunities. For this reason, educational institutions need to make use of available funds to invest in connectivity, network infrastructure and suitable equipment, starting from the most disadvantaged and families living in rural areas. Two decades after the Lisbon Strategy, although internet access has generally improved in the EU, the pandemic shed light on the steps needed to reduce the digital divide. Creating solidarity funds or rental programmes for learners without computer equipment are just two of the many ways to address shortage of digital skills and the impossibility of disadvantaged learners to access education. With the advent of digital communication platforms, digital skills came to be considered as a never-seen-before opportunity for dialogue between individuals and communities. Despite such developments, however, what was missed the most during the pandemic were human, face to face relationships. Promoting digital education, while failing to encourage encounter with others, could risk damaging interpersonal exchanges, such as dialogue between students and teachers. This is indispensable for the educational process, from the first steps of formation to higher education and in view of lifelong learning. Introducing digital skills in schools allows to learn how to grow up in a digital society and how to behave in it. However, it is also necessary that young people are taught critical thinking and interpersonal skills, in order to become active and responsible citizens working for the Common Good. For instance, teachers and trainers could make them aware of unreliable sources, so that learners can identify sources of disinformation and be protected against harmful digital content. It is equally valuable to involve parents and families in identifying learners’ needs and making the digital skills offer more co-created, in a context of joint educational responsibility. Digital skills are today demanded in all curricula and quality digital education allows to improve job expectations. Digital skills development in education can enhance cooperation between educational providers, academia, businesses, etc. Nowadays in Europe over 70% of businesses mention that the lack of staff with adequate digital skills is an obstacle to investment. Therefore, digital abilities allow citizens to contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions to EU challenges. Although employability should not be considered the ultimate aim of education, since the full development of the person should be at the centre of education, digital skills can help ensure that learners find their purpose and fulfilment in today’s society.
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Meeting with Ivan Štefanec (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

21 Jun 2022 · Exchange of views

Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner) and

15 Jun 2022 · Celebrating the European Year of Youth

Meeting with Tom Vandenkendelaere (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Apr 2022 · General introduction

Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President) and

14 Jan 2022 · Article 17 dialogue

Response to European Year of Youth (2022)

14 Dec 2021

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF THE YOUTH (a more extensive contribution to be found in the attached file) The agreement between the EU Council and the European Parliament reached on 7 December 2021 represents a starting point to the planning of the European Year of Youth. Aiming to renew a positive perspective for young people after the pandemic and supporting the most vulnerable and with fewer opportunities, as mentioned in the agreement, must certainly be prioritised. In particular, the European Year of Youth should aim to structuralise such objectives and mainstream them in EU policymaking, trying to involve young people in democratic practices and privilege initiatives that are inclusive, actively listening to the wishes and needs of the youth. Since religion and faith are integral part of the human person, the European Year of Youth should also take interreligious dialogue as one of its priorities, proposing partnerships and projects with representatives of different religions and faiths to engage in dialogue on the future of the EU and of youth. Finally, the programme of the European year of Youth should not only be an occasion to promote current initiatives for the youth, rather it should create meaningful structural change in how the European institutions relate to and rely on youth in their policymaking work. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The EU should ensure that the European Year of Youth actively involves Churches and young people of faith in the co-creation and implementation of the year’s Programme, recognising them as full dialogue partners 2. The EU should strive to actively listen to the concerns of young people, especially to those with fewer opportunities and the most vulnerable 3. The European Year of Youth 2022 ought to address the issue of transcendence, religion and spirituality as integral part of the human person, implementing dialogue opportunities on such aspects among the European youth 4. The European Year of Youth should pursue long-term objectives and ensure the continuation of its initiatives and agenda beyond 2022, with the aim to mainstream youth in all concerned policy areas.
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Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

25 Nov 2021 · Interfaith Convention on the European Green Deal

Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)

29 Jun 2021 · Exchange of views on the future of Lebanon

Meeting with Joost Korte (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

24 Jun 2021 · social policies and inclusion

Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and EKD-Büro Brüssel / EKD-Office Brussels and

10 Jun 2021 · European Green Deal presentation and discussion

Response to Education for environmental sustainability

10 May 2021

In the context of the European Green Deal, a Recommendation on Education for environmental sustainability is essential to achieve the goals of the green transition. Sustainability is not mainly achieved through technological solutions, but through a change in mindset, a new understanding of nature, of the limits of our planet and the conditions to shape a just society. Such change is possible only in dialogue with the entire society, including Churches and religious communities. The Catholic Church has presented a philosophical and theological blueprint, in particular with Pope Francis’ Encyclical "Laudato Si'" (2015), and Church organisations have gathered experience in sustainability and education over decades. Hence, we would like to elaborate on the following points. 1. Philosophical and theological considerations In recent years, the acceleration of all processes in our society has produced a so-called “rapidification”, disregarding deeper reflection on the consequences of our actions in a globalised society. Contemporary anthropocentrism has led to hyper-individualistic practices, weakened social relationships and the willingness to collectively address (environmental) challenges. One effect is the understanding of man as a consumer, replacing the self-understanding of man as a citizen and as person-in-community. A Christian theological interpretation provides a premise to think about solutions for the ecological challenge and about education as possible way of approaching it. If nature is understood as non-disposable (i.e. Creation), hence as a domain that does not belong to humans, but that people are allowed to use respecting its limits and future generations, this interpretation implies responsibility. From a Christian perspective, this means responsibility for God's earth and respect of the laws of nature and an orientation towards the common good. Each human being is called to live in harmony and in coexistence with others, respecting human dignity and the integrity of nature. 2.Terminology of sustainability Deriving from the previous considerations, the term ‘integral ecology’ indicates the necessity to consider elements of ecology in their interrelatedness, addressing environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects comprehensively, ensuring that technological progress does not favour certain areas at the expense of others and, therefore, creates imbalances for our societies and the environment. An authentic understanding of integral ecology cannot overlook the need for change in personal lifestyles and a focus on intergenerational justice. 3.Pedagogical suggestions for the education sector When looking into how education and training can lead to more sustainable and resource-conserving society and economy, the following can be recommended. a.The concept of integral ecology could foster a ‘shared language on sustainability’ and address issues of sustainability including all areas of life. An ‘integral ecology’ approach supports the European Green Deal by allowing to consider all effects of EU policies in these fields. b.Education for environmental sustainability should be shaped through a ‘whole-of-society’ approach, including all forms of education - e.g. formal, non-formal and informal education, vocational training – and all actors involved – including families, communities and associations. The promotion of ecology and sustainability is also one of the objectives of non-formal groups linked to Churches in Europe (e.g. catechesis groups, scouts). c.The integration of environmental issues in education curricula should generate an authentic understanding of social, economic and environmental matters that prompts ecological habits and lifestyle, for a harmonization between humanity and environment fostering an “ecological conversion” of each learner. Values such as care, sobriety and humility should be central. d.Education for environmental sustainability should foster authentic ecological citizenship.
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Response to Extension of the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime

19 Apr 2021

The COMECE Secretariat underlines that hate crimes are more and more common and are cause for increasing concern. Hate crimes are a grave phenomenon to be condemned without reservations and the Church is committed, at the national and global level, to contributing to find answers and effective policies. However, due to concerns related to a sound protection of fundamental rights and to legal certainty, COMECE is not convinced of the necessity to extend the list of "EU crimes" to hate crimes and hate speech. It is of the opinion that the national level is the appropriate one to address the relevant, highly sensitive questions, in accordance with respective legal traditions and approaches. Nevertheless, should the initiative of extending the list of EU crimes be pursued, the COMECE Secretariat recommends integrating the following elements: a) Covering 'hate crimes', not 'hate speech'. b) Inclusion of robust and not merely symbolic clauses to protect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and information and to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. c) Avoid prioritising certain grounds and characteristics over others. d) Inclusion of religion among the grounds protected by the relevant EU legislation. e) Possible inclusion of 2012 Rabat Plan for Action criteria. f) Adopt a terminology that strictly adheres to the formulations of EU primary law. g) Establishment of specific aggravating circumstances as a possible option. While the enclosed file is to be considered as the actual contribution to this consultation, some key findings expressed in the attachment have been hereby summarised.
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Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)

18 Jan 2021 · The state of play on the Southern Neighbourhood policy

Response to Green Paper on Ageing

14 Dec 2020

COMECE welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to publish a Green Book on Aging to intensify the discussion on the socio- economic situation of the elderly in Europe in times of demographic change. After publishing the Report on the Impact of Demographic Change in June 2020, it is necessary that the European Commission deepens its analysis on how to shape EU policies for a future oriented approach on the elderly. COMECE appreciates the possibility for giving feedback on the roadmap of the Green Book on Aging – published on the 16 November 2020 – for setting out the key issues and to discuss possible ways to anticipate and respond to the socio- economic impacts of demographic change. It is important to note that the demographic change will not only bring challenges that come with an ageing society but will also offer new opportunities. We call for a perspective in which the elderly are seen as a gift and an enrichment for our society. They cannot be separated from society and relational networks; they are an integral part of the family and a source of support and encouragement for the younger generations. Another important thing to take into account is that the changes in the age-structure in our societies are causing a shift in the demand for goods and services. Due to this fact, the EU has to intensify its efforts to continue to invest in healthcare systems, with a special focus on the needs of the elderly, respecting their dignity. It will be necessary in this time to develop a flexible and diversified long-term care system, to promote new forms of long-term care for social inclusion and to grant access to affordable and quality institutional long-term care. The Green Book on Aging has to give a special focus on the situation of the elderly at the regional and local level. The upcoming European Commission’s Action plan towards the implementation of the Social Pillar should build bridges and foster coherence with other EU strategies, such as the long-term vision for rural areas, in order to fully implement the Social Pillar and enhance equal opportunities for all people, and in particular the elderly living in rural areas. Regions lacking essential basic and healthcare services should be particularly looked after. Nowadays the elder generation is also a dynamic actor of social life. We welcome the fact that the Green Book on Aging wants to go beyond purely economic issues. Elderly people are not just people to be cared for. Most volunteering work is produced by retired people, who have more time than employed persons. Although they do not work professionally anymore, their volunteering commitment create positive effects for the community.To overcome the confusion between age and vulnerability, elderly persons need to be welcomed in all spheres of our societies.
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Meeting with Astrid Dentler (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica) and Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe

7 Sept 2020 · Green Paper on Ageing

Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

10 Jul 2020 · Discussion on the European Green Deal with the Catholic Youth

Meeting with Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

16 Jun 2020 · Preparation of youth dialogue meeting

Response to Report on the application of the General Data Protection Regulation

29 Apr 2020

While the enclosed file is to be considered as the actual contribution to this consultation, some key points expressed in the attachment are here summarised. The enclosed file is also based on findings provided by experts delegated by European Union Bishops' Conferences to the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission. - The fundamental right to freedom of religion, including its institutional dimension, is important in interpreting Art. 91 GDPR (Existing data protection rules of Churches and religious associations) and is relevant vis-à-vis the rights to erasure and to object. - Consent by the holder of parental responsibility over the child should be a possible legal basis in areas that do not fall under the offer of information society services. - Right to erasure: the broad wording of Art. 17.3 GDPR provides possible grounds for increased litigation (similar considerations for the right to object). The right to object operates in a distinct and separate manner from the right to obtain rectification or erasure. The clauses of Art. 17.3 GDPR seem insufficient to protect the rights of data controllers, even though the reference to "archiving purposes" is useful. The preservation of Church sacramental records from erasure is indispensable to the Church for carrying out its institutional mission. - Right of access: difficulties for the Church in some Member States to cope with requests. Risk of undue bureaucratic burdens for smaller-size actors, including Church-related ones, deriving from the obligation to provide a copy of personal data undergoing processing (Art. 15.3 GDPR). - Data Protection Officers: the new tool was well-received within Church structures. In many Member States the Church appointed DPOs at different levels in accordance with the national legal situation and status. - Historical (research) purposes and archiving purposes: the more limited reference to "historical research purposes" (compared to Directive 95/46/EC) makes the relevant provisions less viable. The new reference to "archiving purposes" is useful, although somewhat limited by the connection with "public interest". The public interest of archives should not depend on a legal obligation to keep such records. - Obligations of secrecy: need for sound legal clauses to safeguard professional or other equivalent obligations of secrecy. - Art. 91 GDPR (Existing data protection rules of Churches and religious associations): great appreciation and relevance for the Church in the Member States. The interpretation and application of Art. 91 GDPR has to be in line with the fundamental right to freedom of religion, including its institutional dimension; and with Art. 17.1 TFEU (i.e. rigorously avoiding interference with national State-Church relations' models and the legal provisions in which they are formed and firmly established). Art. 17.1 TFEU's broader reference to "national law" is to prevail on the more limited one to "constitutional law" contained in Recital 165. The reference to "comprehensive" rules should not entail the need for one single text compiling all relevant internal norms. The tying of the existence of comprehensive rules on data protection to a specific date is arbitrary, if comprehensive rules on data protection, guaranteeing a level of data protection comparable to the one guaranteed with the GDPR, are provided for. - Taking into account the impact that the Covid-19 crisis is having on protection of personal data/privacy, any temporary erosion of relevant standards, linked with this exceptional situation, will have to be eliminated at the earliest possible stage. In the current phase, the highest possible protection of personal data and privacy must be ensured. COMECE, as partner of the EU institutions in accordance with Article 17.3 TFEU, is ready to continue the dialogue with them on the data protection dossier, also on the basis of the enclosed contribution.
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Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)

4 Feb 2020 · EU Enlargement and opening of accession talks with Albania

Meeting with Michel Barnier (Head of Task Force Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom)

25 Oct 2018 · Meeting with the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 TEU

Response to Evaluation of support to Civil Society in enlargement and neighbourhood

17 May 2018

Please, find attached our contribution in a pdf document to your public consultation "Evaluation of support to Civil Society in enlargement and neighbourhood". Kind regards, José Luis Bazán COMECE Secretariat Transparency register number: 47350036909-69
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Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner)

8 Feb 2018 · Agriculture

Response to Elements for a EU Strategy for Iraq

21 Nov 2017

A contribution by the Secretariat of COMECE in view of the planned EU Communication on “Elements for an EU Strategy for Iraq“ We recommend the following principles as a basis for the planned EU Strategy for Iraq: In general: • Help to develop a strategy for economic opportunities and sustainable development in order to fuel a long-standing peace process and to allow the return of forcibly displaced persons • Promote the rule of law, justice and reconciliation as well as good governance and human rights in order to achieve a people-centered, inclusive and sustainable peace process In concrete terms: • Acknowledge the importance of the religious dimension and involve religious actors in all their diversity as key stakeholders • Foster the resilience of individuals, families and local communities with a particular focus on young people, on the basis of a profound analysis of local capacities • Effectively engage all local stakeholders at and across different levels in processes of dialogue and rebuilding in order to ensure co-ownership and inclusiveness of all EU initiatives • Engage with all key regional, European and international actors to address the crisis in its wider regional and international context • Elaborate a roadmap with specific objectives and deadlines on the basis of temporality of action (short-/medium-/long-term) in order to ensure a continuum of engagement from humanitarian assistance to a stabilisation process leading to sustainable development of Iraq For an analysis of the local context as well as specific policy recommendations in the short- and medium-/long-term, please see the full text of the contribution in the attached document
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Meeting with Bernardus Smulders (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

14 Sept 2017 · Dialogue selon l’Art. 17

Meeting with Kai Wynands (Cabinet of Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

2 Jun 2017 · EMU reflection paper

Response to Resilience as a strategic priority of the external action of the EU

23 Mar 2017

All over the world, we are witnessing victims of crises and conflicts and the instability they create. These may result from social, economic and environmental injustice, often leading to violence and war. We have also seen the emergence of hybrid threats which instigate vulnerabilities and put peace at risk. Globalisation has increased dependency and rising inequalities are posing a serious challenge to sustainable development. In light of this fragile environment, we welcome the EU Global Strategy that has set resilience as one of the EU’s strategic priorities in its external action. The current geopolitical context requires efforts to strengthen the resilience capacities of people, families, communities, states and societies in order to prepare them for situations of shock and stress. Declaring resilience as a strategic priority of the EU is an important step. In the follow-up, the EU High Representative and the European Commission should elaborate a Joint Communication that provides a precise understanding and identifies effective ways in the EU’s policy framework to put resilience into practice. In this respect, the EU should invest adequate personal and financial resources in order to fully realise the potential of resilience. COMECE, Pax Christi International and Justice & Peace Europe hope that the Joint Communication can help to make the necessary steps forward, and we recommend, in particular, the following: 1. to include and prioritise in the definition of resilience, the individual, family and community levels, with particular attention for the most vulnerable members, and reflect the full spectrum of abilities potentially needed at all stages of the crisis cycle and beyond. 2. to mainstream the strengthening of resilience into all the EU’s external and internal policies with the objective of contributing to sustainable development and peace. 3. to take a sufficiently ambitious and long-term approach and take into account the global geopolitical context, and not to understand resilience merely as a shift of responsibility to third countries. 4. to pursue an empowerment approach based on subsidiarity, solidarity, participation, dialogue, partnership and local co-owrneship, with full respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles as indispensable parts of this process. 5. to apply an integral approach with policies that are people-centered, comprehensive, multisectoral, context-specific and forward-looking. 6. to create structural synergies between different EU policy areas, bring together different types of actors and instruments, and engage stakeholders at and across different levels with appropriate and inclusive platforms for dialogue, cooperation and coordination. 7. to carry out risk and vulnerability analyses for understanding the local context and the underlying causes of crisis in the wider external environment. 8. to elaborate in dialogue with all the stakeholders tailor-made initiatives and invest in nonviolent approaches to conflict at all levels. 9. to strengthen civic space by supporting and actively involving civil society actors, Churches and religious communities in resilience processes. 10. to develop indicators of resilience-fostering efforts based on sustainable development factors.
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Meeting with Ruth Paserman (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

12 Oct 2016 · European Pillar of Social Rights and its role in ensuring good working conditions and account for the changes on the labour market.

Meeting with Michel Servoz (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

10 Nov 2015 · social issues – including youth unemployment, the impact of austerity policies on citizens and child poverty