Sujets : 3	Ouverture : Juillet 2008
	Réponses : 0	Fermeture : 10/07/2008

On 10 and 11 July, a meeting of the ministers of labour, employment and social policy of the 27 Member States is to take place in Chantilly, Oise. Together they will discuss over two days the key social issues of the French Presidency, focusing more specifically on three topics, in round table debates on :

   Social consequences of globalisation and climate change
   Demography
   Social cohesion and non-discrimination

Because these issues concern us all, and because the European Union’s action in these spheres has a very tangible impact on the everyday lives of European citizens, the French Presidency invites you, as of now, to post on the forum any questions you would like to put to one or all of the EU ministers of the 27 Member States. The questions that come up most often will be selected and raised at the round tables devoted to these topics, and the ministers will respond to them directly. Their responses will be posted on this forum. So, for a more tangible Europe, let’s have some dialogue !

Topics of debate

Social consequences of globalisation and climate change : These are two challenges that have major social consequences and could have an impact on the circumstances of many European workers. How can Europe anticipate and keep pace with these consequences ? How can the 27 of us take things further ? Is it possible together to have an influence outside our borders and put more of a social stamp on globalisation ? These are just some of the questions that ministers will be discussing, with a view to finding solutions to enable the European Union to become a full social actor, more effective both within and outside its borders.

Demographic change and the ageing of the European population are today a reality. What can we do at EU level to tackle issues such as solidarity among generations ? How can we bring common responses to parents’ desire to reconcile professional and family life ? What solutions are already in place in some Member States, and how can draw on them ? This round table will be an opportunity for ministers to exchange best practice, compare experiences and, here too, go further in setting out common commitments on these issues.

Europe also needs to protect those facing difficulties getting back to work, along with the most fragile of its citizens ; it needs to bring tangible solutions to combat discrimination. How can we tackle poverty together ? How can we protect all European citizens, without exception ? These are the issues at stake in the third debate, which should lead to common guidelines for building a more tangible Europe that is both closer to, and more protective of, its citizens, and proposes a genuine social project.