European Economic and Social Committee

To remain competitive, Europe must lead in Artificial Intelligence (AI).     We welcome the European Commission's Apply AI strategy and urge the EU to:  🤖 boost AI investment and computing power to foster innovation;  🤖 focus on three high-potential sectors to drive growth – the car industry, clean energy, and education;  🤖 promote open-source AI to enhance accessibility and competition;  🤖 better integrate research and development efforts across the EU.     Read more in our study: link.europa.eu/wwrbRc    🔍 Percentage of enterprises using AI technologies in the EU. Data from Eurostat, 2024.    #AIinEurope #EUCompetitiveness 

Our next plenary is just around the corner!    And it is a special one for our members! Why?     Because it will:  🇪🇺 be the first plenary session of our renewed term;  🇪🇺 mark the official start of the 119 newly appointed members in our Committee;  🇪🇺 set the tone for the five-year mandate.    Together, the 329 members will meet nine times a year in plenary to ensure the voices of organised civil society are heard at the EU level.    Join us from 21 to 23 October to learn more: link.europa.eu/NDwHvB    #EESCRenewal 

Food is a right, not a privilege. 🌾    This year’s World Food Day marks not only a global call to action for more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems, but also the 80th anniversary of the FAO.    We join this important call in reaffirming our commitment to food security and nutrition for all. As an observer to the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), we actively contribute to discussions on sustainable food systems and youth engagement in agriculture.    This week, a delegation of our members is attending the World Food Forum and the CFS Plenary Session in Rome to engage with global partners, share EU civil society perspectives, and promote intergenerational dialogue. 🇪🇺 🇺🇳    Our work: link.europa.eu/TvcqkW    #WorldFoodDay

The EU's economic governance framework has played a key role in promoting economic stability, growth, and employment across Europe. 🇪🇺     Do you know the maximum level of public debt allowed for EU countries under the EU Stability and Growth Pact?    Take a guess! Vote below and check the comments for the correct answer and to find out how we ensured that consulting civil society and social partners before submitting national fiscal plans became part of the revised governance framework. 👇    #EESCstories

Our #EESCPlenary is just around the corner! 📅    Join us from 21 to 23 October for:  🗳️ the renewal of our Committee with the election of our President;  🙌️ the first plenary of our members under a new mandate;  💬 votes on opinions on key topics such as European values, diplomacy and disability;  🎯 our 600th plenary session!    Don’t miss it → link.europa.eu/NDwHvB    #EUCivilSociety 

Behind every ribbon is a life, a story, a fight.    October is a month to honour the strength, resilience, and journeys of millions  fighting breast cancer.    We support the European Commission's Beating Cancer Plan and call for:  🩷 equal access to cancer treatment;  🩷 more support for innovative treatments like radiopharmaceuticals;  🩷 independent supply chains in Europe;  🩷 investment in the people who make this care possible.    Learn more: link.europa.eu/hfB4M6    #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #EUCancerPlan 

The EU must act now to stay globally competitive.    We call for:  ✅ strengthening EU competitiveness, defence capabilities, and EU strategic autonomy;  ✅ boosting investment in clean tech and digital innovation;  ✅ a balanced approach to fiscal and monetary policy;  ✅ ensuring civil society is fully involved in the European Semester;  ✅ simplifying bureaucracy and unlocking the full power of the Single Market.    Now is the time to secure Europe’s competitive edge.    Learn more: link.europa.eu/cQN4pv    #EESCPlenary #EUCompetitiveness 

Did you know that 60% of cyberattacks start with phishing?  It is a trick used to steal information or break into systems using fake messages or websites.    During European Cybersecurity Month, let's stay safe online by following these simple tips:   ⚠️ watch out for poor grammar and unprofessional language;  ⚠️ be cautious of messages that push you to act urgently;  ⚠️ don’t trust the URL at first glance, always verify it;  ⚠️ check the greeting, phishing messages rarely use your full name.    Find more useful tips here → cybersecuritymonth.eu/    #CyberSecMonth EU Digital & Tech

Mental health matters. 🫂    With the mental health of Europeans declining, we reaffirm the need to make it a top priority in policy-making and to reform health systems across the EU. On World Mental Health Day, we advocate for:  🧠 the promotion of mental health literacy to combat stigma, and support early diagnosis and intervention;  🧠 an integrated health system that links education, employment, social care and mental health care;  🧠 an ecosystem of community-based services to support people experiencing mental suffering.    More about our work on mental health: link.europa.eu/9QcwrF    📊Data from the European Parliamentary Research Service (2023)    #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #EUCivilSociety 

The EU takes another step towards equality! 🏳️🌈 🇪🇺    As we welcome the new European Commission's LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, we continue to call for stronger partnerships with civil society, awareness-raising efforts, and coordinated EU action to ensure that no one is left behind.    We have been a strong ally of LGBTIQ+ rights, equality, and inclusion:  🌈 In 2021, we adopted an opinion supporting the Commission's Strategy and urged EU countries to develop national action plans.  🌈 In 2022, we pushed to extend the list of EU crimes to include all forms of hate crime and hate speech.  🌈 In 2023, we addressed HIV-related stigma, promoting awareness, education, and workplace equality.  🌈 In 2024, our opinion "No place for hate" called for sufficient resources for civil society organisations, legal assistance for victims, and stronger coordination to fight disinformation.    Our work: link.europa.eu/KxWdXY    #LGBTIQ