A seminar about “It's the economy, stupid! Rethinking the global economy – aspiration and reality” took place from 30 June to 1 July 2025 at the Arbeitnehmer-Zentrum Königswinter (AZK), in Königswinter/Germany. It was organised by European Social Responsibility Institute (ESRI) in cooperation with EZA and funded by the European Union. The seminar served to prepare the next, the 9th European Social Week, which should take place next year if possible.
The participants came from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain and the Czech Republic.
The aim of the seminar was to look at the reorganisation of economic policy in the European Union following the elections to the European Parliament and the new formation of the European Commission. In particular, the focus was to be on issues affecting labour force.
Content of the seminar
The reorientation of economic policy in the European Union is currently being discussed. The reports by Enrico Letta (The future of European competitiveness) and Mario Draghi (Much more than a market) play an important role here.
This is about
- the innovative capacity and competitiveness of companies,
- unnecessary bureaucracy,
- an efficient infrastructure,
- secure supply chains for important products and
- the realisation of the agreed climate targets.
In addition, there is the safeguarding of freedom and democracy and the willingness to defend them in the face of external threats. The resulting uncertainties in connection with disorderly disruptions are also unsettling the markets.
Economic policy in Europe is currently being reorganised. The reports by Letta and Draghi and their significance for the changes to economic policy in the European Union were discussed intensively. Aspects of the lack of competitiveness, securing infrastructure, changes to climate targets and demands on the economy took centre stage. This is where the different demands on the reorientation of economic policy come into play, which could also have the effect of curtailing the rights of workers.
In particular, reference was repeatedly made to the need for education and further training of the workforce, which represent a major challenge in the face of the many and varied changes.
This also applies to the so-called 28th regime under discussion as an additional legal framework for the European Community. It is intended to make it easier for companies to set up and do business.
The question of the future financing of the various measures was also discussed and the danger of uneven development in Europe was pointed out.
The reorientation of economic policy is not only taking place at European level, but also in the individual member states. It therefore requires a high degree of coordination.
Recommendations
According to the participants' discussion, the European Pillar of Social Rights must guide action.
It is necessary to adapt economic policy to new challenges. However, the reorientation must be examined with regard to its impact on social rights and labour rights. There is no reason to dismantle labour force rights in this context.
A broad discussion on the realignment of the European framework conditions for the economy is necessary in workers’ organisations. Without such a discussion, there is a risk that labour force will be negatively affected by changes, perhaps even unintentionally.
A discussion on the reorientation of economic policy must be held at all levels, both at European and national level:
- in politics,
- in the workers organisations and,
- between the social partners.
The extended challenges to education and training must be addressed urgently from the perspective of the workforce. The decline in the population is already having an impact here.
A social Europe worthy of the name is the prerequisite for broad acceptance of the ‘European project’ among workers. This is another reason why ‘social’ needs to be filled with life. The European Social Fund is an important instrument here.