Social Europe: Scorched Earth or Fertile Ground?

– A Roundtable

 

 The economic and financial crisis which has engulfed the European Union and its Member States over the past 18 months has also had far-reaching social and political consequences. The worsening debt crisis has forced governments to adopt severe austerity measures and economic reforms, triggering social unrest and protests in many European States, notably Greece and Hungary. The perception that these reforms have been forced upon States by the European Union and International Monetary Fund has significantly challenged the legitimacy of European integration. Although the European Commission has stressed the importance of balancing austerity measures with strategies for generating growth and job creation, there is increasing concern that the social agenda within Europe is being sacrificed in favour of fiscal discipline. This roundtable brings together speakers from across Wales, the UK and Europe to explore the implications of these challenges for the future of Europe, the UK and Wales and the potential strategic options that UK and Welsh governments face in the future.

 

 

 Roundtable Participants:

Dr Nick Parsons, School of European Studies, Cardiff University (Chair) 

Mr Neil Carberry, CBI 

Mr Egbert Holthuis, European Commission

Dr Owen Parker, University of Warwick

Dr Philippe Pochet, European Trade Union Federation

Professor Daniel Wincott, Cardiff University

Mr Alun Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food

and European Programmes, Welsh Government

 

 

Click here for an event flyer.

 

Registration Information:

  

 Space is limited so please register early as places will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Please e-mail to register by 2nd March 2012 – euros-pgr@Cardiff.ac.uk  For further information about the roundtable please contact Ian Stafford (Research Officer): staffordim@cardiff.ac.uk   or by phone: 029 20 870 325.

 

The Glamorgan Building is located in the Civic Centre in Cardiff, for further information on directions and the location of the building please visit:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/locations/maps/index.html