ALDE Events

ALDE SME Conference in Nürmberg

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Topics: Better law making/Simplification of rules for SMEs Participants: SMEs from the region and narrow Tcheque border, representatives from SME organisations/Ministries and Municipalities (DE/CZ), journalists

EU Tax Free Zones: a tool against recession

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0200

The current economic crisis has led to a downward spiral that has an impact on the entire European continent, bringing about severe consequences especially for those territories affected by development delays long before the start of the crisis. Within these areas, made more vulnerable by their remoteness and distance from the European Single Market, the crisis has resulted in industrial stagnation and mounting job losses, causing the spread of an unprecedented social hardship. Yet the European institutions are called upon to give concrete solutions to the demands of these territories. Tax free zones constitute a useful tool capable of delivering growth and mitigating the state of economic and social emergency affecting several regions throughout the European Union. Given the importance of the topic involved, this public hearing gathers MEPs, stakeholders and EU Officials together. The aim of the hearing is to shed light on the actual feasibility of tax free zones in the European Union, in light of previous experiences of tax free zones across the EU and in accordance with the current EU regulatory framework.

Russian Political Prisoners

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0200

The ALDE Group is organising seminar on political prisoners in Russia. A debate on the issue seems even more important since the mass arrests following the demonstrations in Moscow last year. The event will also coincide with Mr Mikhail Khodorkovsky's 50th birthday

Facing the paradox: ensuring skills and talents for European economic growth

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0200

The European labour market is confronted with a serious paradox: while confronted with record unemployment in its Member states, millions of jobs remain unfilled in many sectors key for economic development. Despite all the efforts to bring down unemployment and match skills in the domestic labour force, Europe-based international companies and SMEs face huge problems to hire the people they need. Finding competent employees is increasingly difficult, not only highly educated people, but also people with very specific skills like technicians, workers in the agriculture sector or care sector. Intra-corporate transferees, researchers, seasonal and specialized workers are in short supply. Still, in the globalizing economy of the 21st century, ensuring a sufficient and diverse skills base is the basic condition for any economy to compete and survive. While in many parts of the world, countries open up their borders, make their admission policies more flexible and are actively searching and attracting the rights skills and talents, Europe seems to be in complete denial of these rapidly changing realities. The battle for talents has its consequences. Faced with long and complicated procedures to hire employees in the EU, companies decide not to establish themselves in Europe and re-direct their development strategy towards emerging economies (Brazil, India, China, etc.). So, if Europe wants to remain one of the best and most competitive economies in the world, it better changes its course now. It should put in place a policy that will ensure it avails itself of the right skills and talents to meet today's and tomorrow's needs. In designing such policies, the realities and challenges of the main European companies need to be known. This seminar aims to set out the companies' concerns and needs, identify the gaps in the labour market, and propose solutions.

Rethinking Education

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 +0200

Issues and Perspectives on Reform

Posting of workers from third countries to the EU - Free movement of labour or modern slavery?

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 +0200

This seminar will focus on the specific aspect of the posting of workers from the third countries, citing the recent experience of workers posted from Western Balkans to Slovenia and Bulgaria and later on via agencies to other EU countries. It will discuss the problems related to the implementation of the existing posted workers directive in this perspective and it will also raise the question about the responsibility of various parties (e.g. the state social network, direct employer or main contractor) for such workers when they find themselves with no means and no legal standing in an EU member.

Sustainable Raw Materials Supply

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 +0200

Challenges and Opportunities for Europe

Ukraine Day

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 +0200

Dissenting Voices and Liberal Values in Today's Ukraine

A Roadmap towards a Single Seat: Countdown to the 2014 European Parliament Elections

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:45:00 +0200

Under Treaty, the European Parliament is currently forced by the 27 EU governments to shuttle between its base in Brussels, Europe’s political capital, and Strasbourg, where it spends four days a month. Brussels is the home of the EU Commission, the Council, the EU's Foreign Service, member state representations, some 3000 journalists, lobbyists and NGOs. An overwhelming majority of Members of the European Parliament (and their staff) - 77% - want EU governments to revise the issue of Parliament's Seat and working places - some of its staff are based in Luxembourg. Indeed, there is a majority in each political group for this as well as every nationality of MEP, except France and Luxembourg. MEPs have voted for EU governments to produce a Roadmap to a Single Seat by June 30th 2013. With the economic crisis, fully 88% of MEPs have voted that the EU's governments should address this issue now. MEPs are voting consistently for a Single Seat to make the European Parliament more effective, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. The Single Seat hearing in the European Parliament HQ in Brussels on 23 April will bring together MEPs, Member State and national parliament representatives as well as other EU institutions to begin forging the Roadmap, whilst also putting public pressure on member state governments to begin negotiations for a Single Seat. The hearing will consist of an introduction and two panels. The first panel will examine the role of Parliament's Seat in the countdown to the May 2014 European elections, and will discuss a draft Single Seat statement - to be included in European election manifestos. The second panel will discuss a draft Roadmap towards a Single Seat - to be transmitted to the European Council and the Irish Presidency. Additionally, the hearing will consider the ongoing work in the Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee, which is to propose how the Treaty should be amended to allow MEPs the right to decide when and where they meet. In addition, the Petitions Committee is considering a response to the OneSeat petition signed by 1.27 million EU citizens calling for a Single Seat in Brussels. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group has long taken a clear pro-Single Seat stance, as has the European Liberal Party in a resolution of 2011 and political leaders meeting in The Hague (25 February 2013) preparing for the European Elections. Edward McMillan-Scott and Alexander Alvaro, the two ALDE EP Vice-Presidents, chair the Single Seat Campaign. They are backed by a cross-party Steering Group of MEPs and benefit from the pro-bono advice of international law firm Sidley Austin LLP and communications specialists Burson Marsteller. More info at www.SingleSeat.eu

Sports and democracy

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0200

Should we play along with the dictator?

Tears of Tibet

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0200

In light of the ongoing self-immolations in Tibet, the number of which has now reached a tragic 114 (20 of them have been 18 years old or younger), we believe that the EU should have a stronger role in trying to solve the growing confrontation. Tensions between the local Tibetans and the Chinese state have increased since the Tibetan uprising against the Chinese rule in 2008. Up to now we have unfortunately not seen any significant signs that the Chinese state is looking to achieve a genuine peace settlement. The conference aims to review EP action for a peaceful solution and to discuss how to change the approach/strategy in order to help the Tibetan people. We will invite experts on Tibet who have also participated in the conference in previous years. Because ALDE has organized it for the past two years, we believe that the tradition should continue. From the feedback that we have received from different NGOs that represent Tibetan interest, this conference has had an enormous effect and upheld hope for a better future for the Tibetan communities.

Qualitative Development vs. Quantitative Growth

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:30:00 +0200

The economic crisis that has been ongoing for several years now questions our current economic model and solutions so far implemented to address it. The economic crisis is also creating instability and unpredictability for both consumers and businesses. Austerity measures and the methods which governments are using to face existing challenges are currently leading to poor results and calls for the development of alternative thinking and methods in order to pave the way to a sustainable recovery, and set up the basis of a post-crisis economic and social model. The seminar aims at triggering a debate about our current economic growth model and its results in fighting the crisis. As the event's title suggests, different concepts focusing on qualitative development rather than quantitative growth should be explored, addressing key social and economic issues, such as labour market sustainability, public health development or gender equality. The event will be an opportunity to initiate a reflexion process assessing whether growth could be also achieved as a consequence of qualitative development.

Re-evaluation of Aspartame: State of Play

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:45:00 +0100

Following a previous event organised in March 2011, the ALDE group is organising a public hearing ahead of EFSA's publication of its full re-evaluation of aspartame. The event aims at discussing the recently published EFSA draft scientific opinion on aspartame, taking into account new studies showing potential negative impacts on pregnant women as well as the carcinogenic potential of this sweetener. Bringing together scientists, consumer organisations, industry stakeholders and EFSA representatives, this public hearing will be the occasion to exchange views about the preliminary outcome of EFSA's review process and public consultation on aspartame. The seminar will be preceded by a sandwich lunch.

The challenges facing Pakistan in the run-up to the general elections

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:30:00 +0100

The upcoming elections in Pakistan will be absolutely critical for both the democratic future of Pakistan and the stability of the South Asian region. It will be the first time in the country’s history that there will be a handover from one civilian government to another, subject to the completion of its 5 year term. Failed elections in Pakistan, which it must be noted, remains a nuclear-armed power, could have a negative impact on Afghanistan, Kashmir and Pakistan's dialogue with India. The ALDE Group is always the first political group raising awareness and taking action on democratisation, respect of human rights and organisation of fair elections. To have an interesting and fruitful discussion about Pakistan ahead of these elections, we will be inviting representatives of the main political parties in Pakistan, the EEAS, as well as experts on election observation and democratisation. The seminar will be preceded by a sandwich lunch.

Remembering in the Future

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:00:00 +0100

Policies and Practices of Remembrance to Prevent Mass Atrocities

ALDE open meeting with top Syrian opposition general

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:00:00 +0100

The ALDE group will meet with Brigadier General Selim Idriss, Chief of Staff of the Free Syrian Army on Wednesday 6th March from 11.00 - 12.30 in JAN 4 Q 1 to discuss, first hand, the real situation on the ground in that country and the perception of the international community from within Syria from one of the leaders of the opposition forces. The meeting will be open to all MEPs, and others with access to Parliament premises and journalists. A press conference will follow afterwards for the benefit of the media.

Launch of EU Action plan to Fight Wildlife Crime

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0100

Last year, every 15 minutes an elephant was killed by poachers. A rhino horn is worth half a million euro. Each year fewer tigers, pandas and rhinos are left living in the wild. But once animals become extinct, they are gone forever. The world needs urgent action to save not only the most iconic species of our planet, but also to fight rebel groups and terrorists who use the huge profits from poaching to finance weapons and other criminal activities. Wildlife crime is a €14 billion business. Ahead of the 16th CITES Conference from 3-14 March in Bangkok, Dutch liberal MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE/D66) presents his recommendations for a European action plan to fight Wildlife Crime. The presentation will be followed by the Workshop on Wildlife Crime organized by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy during his plenary speech on CITES on 6th February said: "No matter how many animals we put on the strongest protection annex, we run the risk that it will only benefit the last tiger, rhino or elephant alive due to the explosive increase of poaching" [..] "We need an international action plan to fight wildlife crime" The European Parliament resolution of 6 February 2013 on the EU strategic objectives for the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to be held in Bangkok (Thailand) from 3 to 14 March 2013 can be found here.

European launch of the 2013 'Freedom in the World' report

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:30:00 +0100

Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE) Elmar Brok (EPP) Rebecca Harms (Greens) Maria Muñiz de Urquiza (S&D) invite you to the European launch of the 2013 Freedom in the World report The Freedom House's flagship survey is the standard-setting comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties. Published annually since 1972, the survey ratings and narrative reports on 193 countries and 15 related and disputed territories are used by policymakers, the media, international corporations, civic activists and human rights defenders to monitor trends in democracy and track improvements and setbacks in freedom worldwide. "Freedom in the World is the Michelin Guide to democracy's development" Wall Street Journal

Modern Technologies for a Sustainable EU Future

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +0100

The EU is increasingly more dependent on imports of critical raw materials from third countries, especially from China. Raw materials are crucial for the development and competitiveness of European industries and for meeting the needs of a low-carbon EU economy. This seminar aims at exploring how current challenges of raw materials' import dependence can be turned into opportunities for growth for Europe through the development of modern technologies, such as key enabling technologies, and research and innovation strategies in the field of materials development, recycling and waste management. Exploiting fully the potential of innovative solutions and modern technologies' applications in different industrial fields will be crucial for tackling the EU raw materials dependence and for building a sustainable and resource-efficient future for Europe. The seminar will provide examples from different EU countries of some of the advanced practical applications of modern technologies in various industrial applications in the fields of environmental protection, energy and resource efficiency among others. The role of Research, Development & Innovation policies and incentives for securing sustainable supplies of strategic metals for the EU and for meeting Europe's energy and industry needs will also be the focus of this debate. By bringing together policy-makers, academia and industry representatives from different countries, the seminar will elaborate on strategies for exploiting the potential of knowle

The Iron Curtain

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:30:00 +0100

Telling the story of the crushing of Eastern Europe 1944-1956

CO2 emissions from vans - reaching the 2020 target

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0100

+++ LIVESTREAM EVENT +++

EU-Russia trade - will the WTO change business ?

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:00:00 +0100

After 19 years of negotiations Russia finally entered the World Trade Organisation as its 156th member. This accession is particularly important for the EU, as the EU is Russia's first trading partner and Russia is the EU's third trading partner. The EU's bilateral relations with Russia are expected to be further improved by Russia's WTO membership, provided that Russia meets all its WTO obligations. Surprisingly, just before Russia joined WTO in August 2012, it was still introducing potentially trade-restrictive measures. The speakers from industry, the European Commission, the Russian Ministry, the WTO and other experts will take stock of Russia's implementation of its WTO obligations. ALDE believes that Russia should implement its obligations without delay in order to capitalise on the opening of its economy to international trade and investment. This opening should accelerate reform in the country including combating corruption, enforcing the rule of law and improving the business climate. Russia's full compliance with WTO rules and gradual fulfilment of its commitments is also a precondition for further negotiations with the EU on regulatory issues such as public procurement, energy and investment. These negotiations must include a substantial and legally-binding chapter on energy, fair reciprocal rules for public tenders and reform of Russian customs procedures. The seminar will also address concerns over how the customs union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus could contravene WTO rules and Russia's commitments insofar as it creates additional barriers to trade with Russia. The EU is opposing involving non-WTO members of the customs union in negotiations for a new EU Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and insists that they must remain bilateral.

ALDE Winter Academy 2012

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:50:00 +0100

EU-Investment Protection Policy - The Way Forward

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:00:00 +0100

EU Foreign Direct Investment - How to protect European investments abroad?

Medical devices: is the new legislation sufficient to protect patients ?

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0100

ALDE is organizing this public hearing about the new legislation on medical devices and its impact on patients' protection. The first panel will be the opportunity for the Commission to present its proposal for a regulation on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and for MEPs to present their first assessment of the proposal. A second panel will bring together representatives from the academic community, patients' association, notified bodies and manufacturers.

Quotas for the Boardroom

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:00:00 +0100

Experiences and Perspectives

Sustainable futures for fisheries

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:30:00 +0100

Sustainable futures for fishing communities Community-led local development in fishing areas post-2013

Towards 2014: A Single Seat and the European Parliament Elections

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0200

The European Parliament has three places of work: Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. The home of the European Parliament is in Brussels (Belgium), where the other key EU bodies - the European Commission, the External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Council – and member states representations, journalists, trade unions, lobbyists and civil society are also based. However, the official 'seat' of the European Parliament is in Strasbourg (France), enshrined in the Treaty, chosen for historic reasons, and the entire European Parliament is obliged by the EU governments to trek there for 12 four-day sessions a year. Maintaining Strasbourg and the administrative offices in Luxembourg comes at an extra cost of an estimated €180 million. In October, MEPs will meet in Strasbourg for two plenary sessions in one single week (22-26 October). This two-session October plenary week is the result of MEPs in March 2011 voting to reorganise their calendar to hold two Strasbourg sessions of two days during a single week in October 2012 and 2013, rather then holding two separate four-day sessions in the same month. France and Luxembourg opposed this by taking the European Parliament to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). A ruling by the Court is expected after only the 2012 October double session. Whatever the Court may decide, MEPs have made their opposition to the “travelling circus” and the resulting loss of efficiency clear by repeatedly and consistently voting for a single seat - in reports examining past and future spending in June 2011, as well as in February, March, May and July of 2012. Seventy-five per cent of staff and assistants are also in favour of a single seat. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group has long taken a clear pro-single seat stance, as has the ELDR in a resolution of 2011. Edward McMillan-Scott and Alexander Alvaro, the two ALDE EP Vice-Presidents, chair the Single Seat Campaign. They are backed by a cross-party Single Seat Steering Group of MEPs and benefit from the pro-bono advice of Sidley Austin LLP, international law firm, and Burson Marsteller, international public relations and communications specialists. Ahead of the 2014 European Parliament elections and against the background of economically stringent times, the European Parliament must press for the right to decide when and where it meets. The seminar will look at the voting behaviour of MEPs, discuss how to initiate Treaty change with legal experts, look at alternatives for Strasbourg as well as communication with members of national parliaments and the media. The opinion of the Advocate General to the ECJ invited a debate on the global coherence of the current arrangement: this is especially relevant in the face of the upcoming European elections in 2014. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Website: http://www.singleseat.eu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Single-Seat/137996136296477 Twitter: http://twitter.com/SingleSeatEU

Access to finance. The driver for the competitiveness of SMEs

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:00:00 +0200

The conference organised by the ALDE Group in the European Parliament is dedicated to a key concern of European SMEs, especially in the current financial crisis context, namely access to finance, a crucial element for SMEs to be able to support the real economy. This event is designed as a platform for dialogue between policy makers and SME representatives in order to generate constructive solutions regarding national and European legislation that can facilitate access to finance for SMEs, as well as the practical aspects of financing, such as access to credit from banks, European funds, access to capital markets or the support opportunities of the European Investment Bank. The conference is part of the ALDE Group's broader campaign, “Boost Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises”, launched in February 2012 in order to draw attention to the key role of SMEs in both economic growth and in helping Europe overcome the economic crisis. Another core objective of the campaign is to propose clear solutions for transforming the EU’s Single Market into an SME-friendly business environment and to promote them within the EU institutions.

Bangladesh political situation and the upcoming general elections

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0200

Given the worrying deterioration of the political situation in Bangladesh, with the repression of the political opposition, including arrests and disappearances of opposition leaders, support and reactivity from the European Union is particularly important in the view of the approaching elections in 2014 in Bangladesh. Without any support, Bangladesh faces the strong risk of repeating the antagonistic climate that surrounded the chaotic 2007 elections which brought the country to the brink of outright army intervention. The ALDE Group is always the first political group raising awareness and taking action on democratisation, respect of human rights and organisation of fair elections. We look forward to an interesting and fruitful discussion about Bangladesh, which will cover a broad cross-section of interested South Asian stakeholders from the EU and Bangladesh.