Event in Brussels: Sustaining solidarity in Europe

Type: 
Conference
Audience: 
Open to the Public
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - 8:30am
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Date: 
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 - 8:30am to 6:00pm

Policymakers, civil society organizations, researchers and EU officers in Brussels will meet to discuss the idea of how solidarity can be sustained in Europe. Organised together with H2020 funded projects, SOLIDUS, TranSOL and  EUENGAGE, this one-day event aims to initiate dialogue on a subject that is of utmost importance. With events such as the financial crisis and migration crisis, European solidarity has undoubtedly been put under enormous pressure. The ability to maintain and grow solidarity is now paramount for European stability. The insights provided in this conference will deal with this issue, providing much-needed research evidence as to how solidarity exists and how it can be strengthened.

Three years’ worth of research by the SOLIDUS team will be presented, with a focus on how transnational, national or regional researchers, policymakers and civil society actors can implement the successful approach of Acts of Solidarity in their initiatives and strategies to overcome social inequality.

 Programme

8.30-9.00 Registration
9.00-9.20 Opening: Solidarity as founding principle in Europe – why do we need research?
Yuri Borgmann, DG Research, European Commission
Christian Lahusen, University of Siegen
Marta Soler, University of Barcelona
9.20-10.20 Landscapes of solidarity in the EU: Multiple types of organizations and actions; multiple impacts on society
Chair: Hans-Jörg Trenz, University of Copenhagen
Miranda Christou, University of Cyprus
Maria Kousis, University of Crete
Gabriella Civico, European Volunteer Center
10.20-11.20 Transnational solidarity in Europe: Results from survey and perspectives from European civil society
Chair: Maria Theiss, University of Warsaw
Holger Lengfeld, Leipzig University
Maurizio Cotta, University of Sienna
11.20-12.00 Coffee break
12.00-13.00 Integrating institutional and grassroots solidarity: achieving political impact from below
Chair: Lena de Botton, University of Barcelona
Ramon Vilchez, Department of Welfare, Catalan Government
Marco Cilento, European Trade Union Confederation
Ababakar Thiakh, Alencop (tbc)
Maria Vieites, SEAS4All – Erasmus+
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-15.30 1) Solidarity in action: drivers and barriers
Chair: Marit Hopman, Utrecht University
Simone Baglioni, Glasgow Caledonian University
Bjorn Hivden, Oslo Metropolitan University
2) Fish Bowl Conversation: inviting CSOs and citizens to speak and dialogue
Moderator: Jennifer Eschweiler, Roskilde University
15.30-16.00 Coffee break
16.00-16.45 The role of European institutions in fostering sustainable solidarity
Chair: Patricia Melgar, University of Girona
Stefaan Hermans, D.G. Education and Culture, European Commission
Kieran McCarthy, EU Committee of the Regions
Brikena Xhomaqi, Lifelong Learning Platform
16.45-17.30 Award Ceremony: Young artists on solidarity. Documentary on Solidarity in Europe. Brief presentation & debate.
Daphne Bullesbach and Marta Cillero. European Alternatives
17.30-17.50 50 Closing remarks: How to support and broaden a European solidarity.
Kathleen Lynch, Dublin City University
Andreas Obermaier, Research Executive Agency, European Commission
For more information and to register click here: https://solidush2020.eu/solidarityevent