Belgium was holding the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, which ends today 19 May 2015. Focus on one of the deliverables of the Chairmanship: the “Brussels Document” on the future of the protection of social rights.
On 12 and 13 February 2015, the Belgian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe organised in Brussels a 2 days-Conference on “The future of the protection of social rights in Europe”. 31 independent academic experts prepared a synthesis document summing up the main proposals and possible solutions, which is called the “Brussels Document”.
The Conference held last February brought together political authorities, experts and nearly 300 participants from the academic world and international institutions, social partners and INGOs. Moreover, a high-level political representation was provided through the presence of the Secretary General of the Council Thorbjørn Jagland, the European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, the Vice- President of the Parliamentary Assembly Michele Nicoletti, and of the Belgian Ministers Maggie De Block and Kris Peeters. The Conference was building on the Turin process that was launched during the Italian Presidency of the European Union and aimed at “renewing the political interest in social rights in Europe within the current context”.
The “Brussels Document” defines 4 lines of action aiming at guaranteeing the future of the protection of social rights in Europe. (more...)