Belgian Presidency discusses financial crisis with NGOs

Seminar on the Financial Crisis

The Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium invited civil society organisations to participate in a seminar on the financial crisis and its economical consequences. Belgian and European civil society organisations debated on the following issues introduced previously by finance and economics specialists:
 Origins of the malfunctioning of the financial system;
 Possible solutions considered by both Belgium and Europe to face the social and economical consequences of the financial crisis. The solutions proposed by the panelists were mostly all financial and economical solutions and not really social-related.

EPHA Comment

EPHA expressed its support to such an initiative and urged the Belgian government to keep open the arena of dialogue with civil society organisations representing citizens interests and concerns.

EPHA drew attention to the potential and certain consequences of the financial crisis for health. EPHA also reminded the audience that a healthy population is essential for economic recovery and continued growth. Healthy individuals create, find and keep jobs, as well as being better able to cope with insecurity and stress.

EPHA calls on the future Belgian Presidency to push for a fairer Europe and reduce the health gap by adopting a more citizen-centred European approach to the crisis and policy-making in general.

Next step

The Belgian Government is holding a cycle seminars in order to meet civil society organisations on the following topics:
 Education, Culture and European Citizenship: 30 March
 Justice, Security and Judicial Cooperation: 4 May
 Prevention, conflicts management and Development: 19 May
 Enlargement, Neighbourhood policy: 27 May
 Lisbon Strategy: 9 June

Please note that the first seminar was held in French and Dutch.

For further information

 Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium

EPHA related articles

 Financial crisis: who, what, and why?
 Parliament calls for a structured civil dialogue at EU level