EESC opens two‑day plenary in Brussels on technological sovereignty and poverty
Two‑day EESC session in Paul‑Henri Spaak building spotlights digital sovereignty, a 2050 poverty‑eradication debate and a Commission cooperation memorandum.
Today in Brussels a two‑day plenary of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opens, with technological sovereignty, the fight against poverty and access to housing taking central place on the agenda.
Sessions are being held in the Paul‑Henri Spaak building of the European Parliament in Brussels. The opening debate focuses on European technological sovereignty and the human role in digital transformation. Expected speakers include Executive Vice‑President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen and DigitalEurope Director‑General Cecilia Bonefeld‑Dahl.
The debate is linked to upcoming EESC opinions on the second European legislative act for integrated circuits and on reducing the EU’s dependence on foreign cloud providers, artificial intelligence and digital platforms. Proposed measures under discussion include increased investment in European digital infrastructure, promotion of open‑source solutions, and stronger protection of data and workers’ rights.
High‑level discussion on poverty and a planned memorandum
Tomorrow the plenary will host a high‑level debate titled "Eradicating poverty by 2050: fulfilling our collective responsibility". The programme includes addresses by EESC President Séamus Boland, Executive Vice‑President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu, and the President of the European Anti‑Poverty Network Carlos Susias.
Video messages are scheduled from Dara Calleary, Ireland’s Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development, speaking on behalf of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and from Li Andersson, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
The European Commission and the EESC are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on implementing the EU’s strategy to fight poverty. The Committee will also present a study it commissioned that examines European policies through the lens of poverty and possibilities to break cycles of social inequality.
Photo: press material from the event
