Social Rights: Building Social Justice and Democratic Stability
Event organised by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee.
5 June 2025, EESC, Jacques Delors building, 1040 Brussels
Conclusions
Recording of the event
Video of key moments
Background
In a world marked by rising inequalities, demographic shifts, and environmental challenges, the promotion of social rights is more critical than ever. Social rights—such as access to employment, healthcare, education, housing, and social security—are fundamental to fostering inclusive and resilient societies. They are also a key pillar of democratic stability, helping to reduce disparities and enhance social cohesion.
The Council of Europe’s commitment to social rights, social justice and democratic stability, established in the European Social Charter and reaffirmed at the 2023 Reykjavik Summit, aligns in crucial ways with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Likewise, the 2024 La Hulpe Declaration and the European Pillar of Social Rights have a key role to play in advancing European progress towards universal social rights enjoyment and achievement of the SDGs.
This event seeks to bridge above mentioned frameworks, enhance their synergies, and advance the global agenda for social justice, democratic stability, and human dignity. It will complement ongoing international initiatives, including the UN Second World Summit for Social Development (November 2025, Doha, Qatar), providing a platform for refining strategies and accelerating collective progress.
9:00 - 10:00 | Registration of Participants and Welcome Coffee
10:00 - 10:20 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Gianluca ESPOSITO, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Mr. Oliver RÖPKE, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
10:20 - 11:20 | Session 1: Social Rights within the Human Rights Architecture
Exploring the role of social rights in promoting dignity, equality, and inclusion. The session will highlight how international mechanisms uphold these rights and focus on the perspectives of young people.
Keynote Speech:
Ms. Aoife NOLAN, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
Speakers:
Mr Jacek KRAWCZYK, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee
Ms Debbie KOHNER, Secretary General of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)
Mr Rares VOICU, President of the European Youth Forum
Discussion
11:20 - 12:30 | Session 2: Social Justice in Action – Bridging Policy and Practice
This session will examine rights-based policies addressing inequality, showcasing successful national policies linking social rights with sustainable development.
Ms. Tatiana PUIU, Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
Ms Katarina IVANKOVIĆ KNEŽEVIĆ, Director for Social Rights and Inclusion, DG Employment, European Commission
Mr Bernd SCHLÜTER, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee
Ms Carlien van EMPEL, Director of the Office for the European Union and the Benelux countries, ILO
Tomáš BOČEK, Vice-Governor for Target Group Countries, Council of Europe Development Bank
12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch Break
14:00 - 15:15 | Session 3: Social Rights and Democratic Stability
Examining the role of social rights in fostering social cohesion, trust in institutions, and inclusive political participation, as well as the contribution of financial and policy-making bodies to stability.
Mr Paul GALLES, Chairperson of Sub-Committee on the European Social Charter, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Ms Martine Dieschburg, Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Ms Isabelle SCHÖMANN, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade union Confederation
Mr Michele CONSOLINI, Research Officer at Eurofound
15:15 - 15:45 | Coffee Break
15:45 - 16:45 | Session 4: The Road to the Second World Summit for Social Development - Partnerships for Progress
Mr Giuseppe PALMISANO, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / Former President, European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
Ms Cinzia del RIO, President of the Section on Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC), European Economic and Social Committee
Mr Bob RAE, President of the UN Economic and Social Council
Amb. Siegfried PEINEN - UN department at Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
16:45 - 17:00 | Presentation of Conclusions and Closing Remarks
Social Rights in the Human Rights Framework
Social rights, enshrined in the European Social Charter, are essential for upholding human dignity, ensuring equality, and enabling active participation in society. This session will examine how international mechanisms can be strengthened to promote these rights, with a special focus on youth participation in policy and decision-making.
Social Justice in Action – from Policy to Practice
Bridging the gap between high-level policy commitments and tangible outcomes requires innovative, rights-based approaches. This session will address systemic inequalities, highlight challenges faced by vulnerable groups, and showcase successful policies that promote equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Social Rights and Democratic Stability
Social rights play a crucial role in fostering democratic resilience. Access to education, healthcare, fair working conditions, and adequate housing strengthen trust in institutions and mitigates socio-economic disparities that can lead to instability. This session will explore how social rights can reinforce inclusive political participation and long-term stability.
Social Rights for Sustainable Development
The integration of social rights into development strategies is essential for achieving the SDGs. This discussion will bring together diverse stakeholders to highlight collaborative models that generate long-term, sustainable benefits.