An educational webinar on this topic was held to explore the timely and essential issue of the European Union’s social dimension.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Sasha Garben, Permanent Professor of EU law at the Legal Studies Department of the College of Europe.
In her lecture, Dr. Garben presented a thorough analysis of the evolution of EU social policy – from the foundational provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community to today’s initiatives aimed at ensuring social justice, gender equality, and decent working conditions.
The speaker emphasized that high social standards are not only a prerequisite for the well-being of citizens but also a vital condition for the stability of the internal market and the sustainable development of the European project. She underlined the importance of maintaining a balance between economic integration and the respect for social rights guaranteed by the EU.
Particular attention during the webinar was devoted to the following key topics:
• the expansion of social rights within the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights;
• the role of social dialogue and the involvement of social partners in shaping policy and legislation;
• the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages as a tool to combat inequality and improve labour standards;
• the interplay between economic integration and the protection of social standards;
• the division of competences between the EU and Member States in the social sphere.
Participants had the opportunity to learn about the legal foundations of EU social policy as laid out in Articles 151, 153, and 175 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as well as about current approaches to combating social dumping, ensuring decent working conditions, and strengthening social cohesion within the internal market.
We sincerely thank Dr. Sasha Garben for her highly professional and insightful lecture, and all participants for their active engagement in the discussion!
Simultaneous interpretation was provided thanks to the support of “Ukraine2EU – EU Integration Support Programme for Ukraine”, which made the event accessible to a wider audience.
