Conference on the social economy and social
enterprises
International conference on the theme Social Economy as a key player in providing
answers to current societal challenges in the EU and the world is organized within
the framework of the Presidency of the Slovak Republic in the Council of the European Union
by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic and
in cooperation with the European Commission. It will take place
30th November – 1st December 2016 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The common theme of the conference will be on how to stimulate the development of social
enterprises in Europe. The aim is to give both a national and a European dimension
on the subject of social economy and social enterprises through the specific contribution
of the speakers as well as the profile of the invited participants.
It aims also to discuss the recommendations of the GECES report, officially approved
at the 11th GECES experts meeting on the 14th October 2016 in Brussels.
The conference will be opened with the opening speeches by Prime Minister Robert Fico,
by the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic Jan Richter and
European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry and SMEs business Elżbieta
Bieńkowska will deliver a speech via video projection.
The theme of the conference is divided into six thematic workshops.
On the second day, there will be a round table discussion of the Labour Ministers of Member
Countries and also the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, skills and
labour mobility, Mrs Marianne Thyssen will deliver her speech.
Estimated attendance is 200 representatives of EU Member States and experts on social
economy and social enterprises.
