Tuesday 3 March 2026
Renaissance Hotel, Brussels
Conference languages: EN, ES, FR, DE, IT

Taking stock of the rising relevance of defense in the EU’s agenda, the 2026 edition will focus on a theme of growing importance for workers’ organisations across the continent: “Social Justice in a Rearming Europe.”

The event aims to critically examine the EU’s current defence priorities, with particular attention to their economic and social implications in the context of rising military expenditure.Throughout the day, we will explore four key questions that challenge workers’ organisations as they engage with this issue:

• How have recent geopolitical shifts and crises challenged the multilateral order and brought the EU to its current security crossroads?
• How can a comprehensive security strategy integrate social justice, human dignity, diplomacy and multilateralism to promote a lasting and inclusive peace?
• How are governments financing higher defence spending, and what are the consequences for growth, welfare systems, employment, and inequality?
• How should workers’ organisations position themselves concretely in response to upcoming EU defence policy initiatives in 2026?

With contributions from researchers, journalists, policymakers, and representatives of workers’ organisations, this event will equip participants with the tools needed to navigate Europe’s evolving security and defence landscape. 

The programme already features confirmed contributions from figures such as Anne-Cécile Robert (Le Monde Diplomatique), Carlien van Empel (ILO), and Orry Van de Wauwer (Pax Christi Flanders), with additional speakers from European institutions, academia, and workers organisations currently being finalised. We are also in contact with the secretariat of European Council President Antonio Costa regarding the opening of the event.