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Can the values of "Christian social doctrine" offer orientation in a "new normality" post COVID-19? How have "social dialogue" and the world of work changed?

From October 21 to 23, 2021, the 32nd KGZE took place in Bratislava/Slovakia on the topic "Can the values of "Christian social doctrine" offer orientation in a "new normality" post COVID-19? How have "social dialogue" and the world of work changed?", organized by ÖZA (Austrian Centre for Employee Education), with the support of EZA and the European Union.

The 45 participants came from workers' organisations from the following 13 countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Ukraine (as guests).

Thursday 21 October 2021

Opening of the KGZE 2021 and welcome by the organisers.

As hostess, Lubica CERNA, President of NKOS, welcomes the participants in Bratislava. She points to the special location of the city in the border triangle of Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. But also, to the special time in the Corona pandemic, where the most fragile in society are affected particularly. We want to start this seminar with a Christian perspective and, as Pope Francis says, be firmly based and at the same time open to new things. President Norbert SCHNEDL describes the KGZE as an important signal in the EZA network for the organiser ÖZA. Important topics are addressed with the questions about the climate crisis and the demand for an “eco-social market economy”, as well as with digitisation. We have to be more ready for dialogue again, always questioning our own thoughts (Sir Karl Popper: In search of a better world). The Covid pandemic has led to social upheaval, our conference is looking for solutions. In his welcome address, Norbert KLEIN conveys best wishes from the EZA management, from Luc van den Brande and Sigrid Schraml. The KGZE is a risk this year and Covid has not yet been overcome. At the same time, it has developed into a format that provides orientation: exchange experiences; gain new insights; networking; informing the public.

Friday 22 October 2021

What foundations are needed for an independent "European way of life" so that we don't fall back into old patterns? Inspired by art and religion, can we find ways to a “new normal”?

Moderator: Andreas GJECAJ, ÖZA

Christian WABL, Austria: As an artist, he describes the ancient wisdom of Christianity. The most important thing is the values ​​– but how do you implement them? He also describes the importance of money to implement ideas. The biblical parable of the workers in the vineyard is not about the performance of the individual, but about a dignified life - an alternative to the meritocracy.

Prof. Milan KATUNINEC, Trnava: Even in a post-pandemic world, a minimum of shared values ​​is needed. Only the cultivation of an "art of arguing" leads to lasting solutions of conflicts. Christian social teaching could be a "big light" in the European canon of values, but is often pushed into the background by many small lights. This is also because the ability to distinguish is lost. Many young people only experience more fragmentation and polarisation: We no longer understand others and are not understood by others. We have to cultivate the space for a dialogue, be able to explain things in an understandable way, not flee, but enter the argumentative terrain.

Can the values ​​of Christian Social Teaching provide orientation for AN organisations in a new normal after the Corona pandemic?

Moderation: Andreas GJECAJ, ÖZA

Dr Karin PETTER-TRAUSZNITZ, ÖZA: She describes digitisation as the new normal. Christian social teaching stands for a culture of togetherness, where there is a balance between individual well-being and the common good. The eco-social market economy (founder: Josef Riegler, Austria) is a great treasure that leads us from overexploitation to a sustainable and peaceful culture. Social teaching establishes a value system that calls for ethics and has consequences for future generations - it is a convincing alternative.

Stefan HUSTAVA, NKOS: The starting point is always the human being with his inviolable dignity. The social doctrine is the minimum requirement for fundamental rights and freedoms. There are numerous biblical starting points for human rights, the right to work, the right to rest, the right to a fair wage, the right to assemble (to form trade unions), the right to strike, ...

How has “social dialogue” and the world of work changed as a result of the global corona pandemic? Moderation: Andreas GJECAJ, ÖZA

Irina SEMJONOVA, Latvia (ZOOM): With a presentation (PPP), Irina describes the situation in Latvia, which is unfortunately again characterised by new measures (lockdown) against the spread of the corona pandemic.

Prof. Viorel ROTILA, Romania (ZOOM): Viorel also describes the dramatic situation in Romania in a presentation (PPP). As a headline, he asks whether we are living in a new “ice age” of social dialogue – and whether trade unions – like the mammoth once were – are on the brink of extinction.

How has “social dialogue” and the world of work changed as a result of the global corona pandemic?

Moderator: Christina HUTTOVA, NKOS

Veselina STARCHEVA, PODKREPA, Bulgaria: Globally, 81% use social dialogue to reach a consensual agreement. There is great poverty in Bulgaria, the minimum income is EUR 350 and 22.6% of the population is at risk of poverty. The crisis has brought a radical change to work (digital world), but people live in a real world. Trade unions must create spaces for encounters. To be a valuable social partner, unions need to: Become more communicative, more flexible, and more inclusive, and able to work in networks. Social dialogue needs to be reactivated so that we can come back better/stronger!

doctor Ing. Lubica CERNA, NKOS, Slovakia: There was a change of government in Slovakia, the pandemic also eased slightly. The country continues to suffer from cases of corruption. As in many European countries, there was financial support for companies and a Covid traffic light. At first there was a lot of solidarity in society, but it quickly faded. Digitisation is changing the way we work, being ONLINE all day is often very stressful, including for the families

Saturday 23 October 2021

Country reports

On the situation of employee organisations after overcoming the corona pandemic and on the way to a new normal.

Introduction and moderation: Fritz NEUGEBAUER, EUROFEDOP

In an introductory statement, Neugebauer points out the essential function of the country reports for the KGZE. They describe the general political situation and the position in the social partnership, which represents valid EU law as "social dialogue". We want to learn from each other. Even in a "new normal" after Covid, we need a minimum standard of common culture and a commitment to the welfare state.

Country reports from Albania, Lithuania, Serbia and the Ukraine were presented on these focal points.