An international study seminar was held in Catania, Italy, from 10-12 October 2024, organised by Feder Agri (National Association for the Development of Agriculture) in collaboration with EZA and funded by the European Union on the theme of “The European Green Deal: Challenges for workers”. Representatives of workers' organisations from Italy, Albania, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Montenegro, Germany, Hungary, Malta and France took part in the discussion forum.
The presentations of the representatives are summarised below.
MCL Secretary General Alfonso Luzzi opened the event with the first session on 10 October, which focused on an analysis and discussion on the Green Deal which featured key speakers from various European countries and emphasised that it is the duty of us all to act as custodians, and not owners, of the Earth.
Joseph Thouvenel stated that we must not sin with pride: we are at the service of creation and must manage it judiciously and with respect for humans. We must organise the world so that everyone can opt to live and work at home and ensure that we do not receive imports from countries that do not respect the Earth, humans and animals. He emphasised that we must return to simplicity: faith and reason. We must go back to the teaching of respect and our duty is to be on the side of the winners.
Stefano Consiglio illustrated how the Foundation has transformed itself from ‘for the South’ to ‘with the South’, driven by schemes to combat poverty in education, the innovation and strengthening of social and health services and the protection of common goods. We must go further and build alliances together in the areas of agriculture, social affairs and science. An investment of trust in third sector organisations is required. We need education, training and therefore security and employment. Birth, inclusion and integration must be backed up by services.
Pedro Matos Soares belongs to the first generation to be affected by climate change and stressed that we must seize the opportunities that arise out of every problem. If we don't want to fall behind, we must use our energy resources more efficiently, train, upskill and retrain workers, and may achieve this with the Draghi report, which is a call to arms. We will have to join forces, form partnerships, listen more to the farmers who are best placed to protect the environment rather than environmentalists.
Maurizio Petrocchi explained that we are experiencing a double transition that is leading us into an era of fluid skills: we must learn quickly and adapt in a society that is divided into those who are able to swiftly adapt and those who are left behind.
On the topic of European program planning, Giuseppe Castiglione stated that we are often absent and must push our activities further. We must become a force for the people. We need greater numbers of more trained and educated young people in companies. The dignity of people and workers of all ethnicities is the foundation of everything.
EZA Co-President Piergiorgio Sciacqua opened the second session on the morning of 11 October on the topic of social cohesion and highlighted the importance of taking the results of these discussions back to the regions.
S.E.R. Monsignor Luigi Renna explained that the social doctrine of the Church is rooted in a consideration of social problems: care for our shared home (the environment) and democracy. A forward-looking policy is a public insurance policy. Financial competition can kill good practice. The Pope talks of a multilateral policy. Europe has all the conditions to roll out this Green Deal.
Salvatore Barbagallo stated that interventions will be implemented to stabilise workers. There are issues regarding the infrastructure (e.g. reservoirs), but planning and a draft law are in the process of elaboration.
David Agius conveyed greetings from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. He described the planning and distribution of water in Malta, in particular through the four reverse osmosis plants. He stated that green bonds had been issued with an interest rate of 4% and that cooperation was essential to overcome challenges.
Danilo Pirola explained that the problem of climate change is particularly tangible for European citizens. The Green Deal targets were not integrated into the CAP legislation. The Commission should link CAP payments to proven compliance with environmental standards for sustainable water use.
Pierpaolo Fraddosio talked about an agricultural policy that had to include the soil. We should be talking about water scarcity, not a drought. Insurance companies no longer want to insure us, so other forms must be found. We must intervene in the infrastructure by organising normal (and not just extraordinary) maintenance. A regional training network is necessary.
Giovanni La Via explained that plans must merely be handed down from above, or they may not reach the agricultural sector. The Green Deal is an essential tool for the perspective of society.
Santiago Rodriguez Perez described how the province of Asturias was a rural community until the onset of industrialisation in the 1970s. The Green Deal is intended to retain people in the areas that were abandoned with the arrival of industrialisation. We need to share our research with associations, communities and children to enable them to become the new farmers.
Marco Falcone stated that the Green Deal must guarantee not only welfare but also jobs. Biofuel could be an interesting area, but some scepticism exists here. The issue of agriculture, which is part of the Green Deal, is a complex topic in the European Parliament, as it requires bringing together the ideas of over 700 people.
Leonardo De Marco opened the second session in the afternoon of 11 October by stating that many arguments could be proposed, but we should not forget that the human being, and therefore education, is the foundation of everything.
Maria Reina Martin said that the European Union is pursuing specific strategies to avoid excluding anyone from this transition and wants ecological education measures to be implemented to change consumption patterns to facilitate the ecological transition. It is important to train trainers, otherwise the students cannot be trained.
Andreas Gjecaj stated that the social market economy was created in Europe to prevent small businesses from abandoning this path. Economy and future are fundamental elements to balance the country.
Valbona Halitaj noted that a very high percentage of young people are leaving the country due to the brain drain and rural exodus. 17,000 jobs could disappear without the appropriate training initiatives, and we are currently experiencing a shortage of trained workers. We are looking for qualifications to go green.
Gabor Berczli said that we must create initiatives that have links to heritage; those that create value and also leave a trace of one’s own identity: long-term success. A beneficial way must be found to recognise the good work carried out by people. The MCL has excellent foundations on which to bring internal and external members together for transition training.
Vladimir Drobnjak concluded the speeches by stating that the Green Deal offers enormous potential for job creation, but training is required. We need change and we need strong political support. We require education to adapt to technology and to create jobs.