Is Competitive Europe compatible with Social Europe?

The Foundation Forum 2006 promises to be even more lively and pertinent than ever before, with a line-up including high-profile speakers, expert participants and a very hot topic for discussion.

On 2ñ3 November, the third Foundation Forum will attempt to find answers to the following fundamental questions: are the models of a competitive Europe and Social Europe partners or rivals? To what extent are the various European social models compatible with competitiveness? More specifically, the Forum will look at how recent trends in globalisation, new technologies and the ongoing economic integration of Europe influence the relationships between social models and competitiveness. While the Forum may not be able to give definitive answers to the questions, it should shed light on one of the most pressing issues facing Europe today.

The two-day conference will be hosted by Michel Martin TD, Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (Irish Prime Minister) will open the conference with an address on competitive Ireland in a social Europe. Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends (USA) and Hans-Werner Sinn, Munich University, CESIFO will then explore whether the Lisbon aim of competitiveness is feasible, appropriate or desirable for Europe.

Meeting the challenges of Lisbon?
Three speakers will address the central question: ëWhy are we not on target to achieve the Lisbon goals?í Maria Helena Andr, Deputy General Secretary of ETUC, will look at the question from the workersí perspective, while Thrse de Liedekerke, Director of Social Policy in UNICE, will present the employersí view. Rounding up the discussion, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen MEP, President of the Party of European Socialists and former Prime Minister of Denmark, will ask: ëDo voters punish governments that implement reform policies?í

Parallel debates>
The five parallel debates of the Forum will propose up to three actions that could be taken to address various propositions, with a protagonist and an antagonist for each.

Protagonist Elena Bonfiglioli (Microsoft) will debate with Henry Ohlsson (Economic Council of Sweden) the motion, ëThere is always a business case for companiesí investment in trainingí.

ëFlexicurity is the path to better European competitivenessí is the topic of the second debate, with protagonist Raul Eamets (University of Tallinn) facing antagonist Isabella DaCosca (Centre díEtudes de líEmploi, France).

In the third debate, Stephen Howard (AMTEK) will propose that regions must continually re-invent themselves to remain competitive, while Karen-Margrete Hansen Bager (Municipality of Bornholm) will oppose the proposition.

In the fourth debate, Manfred Weiss (Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt) will argue that sustainable competitiveness needs social partnership, while Constantin T. Gurdgiev (Trinity College Dublin) will speak against the motion. The debate around the fifth proposition, that the promotion of diversity is a tool for competitive advantage, will be chaired by Rob Anderson.

Is there a business case for EU social policy?
On the second day, Friday 3 November, the Forum will set about to examine the business case for EU social policy. Commissioner Vladimr äpidla will address the key question: ëWhere does EU social policy meet business?í
Peter Kiss, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social and Labour Affairs, Hungary, will consider the proposition: ëHow do Member States compete with each other for business without undermining EU social policy?í

Doing business in Europe
Three speakers will explore the issue of conducting business in Europe. Maciej Mataczynski, (PKN Orlen, Poland) will pose the question: ëCan business in the new Member States conform to the social model while making the transition to the competitive market economy?í
Peter Pelgrims (Somati Group, Belgium) will address the provocative question: ëIs social policy the luxury of big business?í And Catherine Glickman (Tesco, UK) will explore whether EU social policy is a help or a hindrance to businesses operating in the global marketplace.