As an activist and women’s rights campaigner, ground breaking politician and committed European, Simone Veil’s work encapsulates the very best of our European Union – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy and equality. Renew Europe hopes to honour this legacy by building together the ‘Simone Veil-Pact’ – a political commitment by Member States to adopt the most progressive national measures currently in force in the field of women’s rights and gender equality in the EU. The New Year’s Seminar 2020 will bring together Members of the European Parliament, Commission, Council and women’s rights activists to build momentum for the Pact to deliver on gender equality in Europe.
AGENDA
PART I
15:00 Welcome Coffee
15:15 Welcome & Opening
by Dacian Cioloș, President of Renew Europe
Introduction to the Simone Veil Pact initiative
by Nathalie Loiseau, MEP
Keynote speech on behalf of the European Commission
by Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality
Keynote speech on behalf of the European Council Presidency
by Margareta Mađerić, State Secretary
Ministry for Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Croatia
PART II
16:00 Panel discussion:
Achieving gender equality upward convergence; examples of European best practice
chaired by Irène Tolleret, MEP
Joanna Maycock, Secretary General of the European Women’s Lobby
Virginija Langbakk, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality
Sari Brodi, Global Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion of INGKA (IKEA) group
Followed by questions & answers
Concluding remarks and the way forward
by Sophie In ’t Veld, MEP
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