Policy Conference: A clean, just, and competitive European Industry

In a context of new industrial policies being developed by the European Commission, a shift in focus from the European Green Deal to competitiveness, and growing international geoeconomic tensions, it is essential to engage in constructive and multi-stakeholder discussions on industrial policy.

Since the release of the Draghi report one year ago, competitiveness has become the main theme of the European Commission. However, the definition of competitiveness remains fuzzy and the narrative around it problematic. In the name of competitiveness, different initiatives are advanced that entail deregulation and backtracking on green commitments. In other cases, we see calls for channelling subsidies to large incumbent companies, also in the name of competitiveness.

Integrating competitiveness

With this conference, we would like to discuss the goals of the European industrial policy and  get more clarity on the definition and role of “competitiveness”. How can industrial policies be shaped in a way that supports a just transition, including accelerated decarbonisation, workers’ rights and an enhanced quality of life and environment for all? What is competitiveness and its role in achieving European policy objectives?  What should be the EU’s goals and vision for trade, coherent with its industrial policy and just transition?

To explore these questions, the policy conference will bring together a wide array of speakers, from high-level political figures to trade union representatives, civil society experts and academic researchers. The conference will propose evidence-based analyses on the state and needs of the EU’s industrial policies, debates between high-level political and civil society representatives, and stimulating discussions on different topics such as decarbonisation, competitiveness, labour markets, trade and circularity. The programme will include different formats: keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions, presentations and smaller interactive sessions. 

Speakers will include: 

• Elizabeth Baltzan, former Senior Advisor to the US Trade Representative
• Jörg Wojahn, Head of Unit, Bilateral relations in Trade and Sustainable Development, European Commission
• Estelle Goeger, Member of Cabinet, Executive Vice President Séjourné, European Commission
• Damian Murphy, Senior Vice President, National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress (CAP)
• Axel Eggert, Director General, Eurofer 
• Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary, IndustriAll 
• Lucie Studničná, President of the Workers Group, European Economic and Social Committee
• Luca Menesini, President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
• Guillermo Peláez Alvarez, Regional Minister for Finance, Justice and European Affairs, Government of the Principality of Asturias
• Ryan Mullholand, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress (CAP)
• Werner Raza, Director of the Austrian Research Foundation for International Development (ÖFSE)
• Sören Borghardt, Senior Advisor at Stiftung Klimaneutralität
• Patrick Kaczmarczyk, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Mannheim
• Marine Courmont Lelieur, Head of European and International Affairs, Institut National de l’Economie Circulaire (INEC)

The event is public and a programme  is available below. Kindly note that, since it is hosted at the European Committee of the Regions, participants will have to register in advance. Registrations have closed for this event. 

For more information, please contact our Policy Officer for Economic & Digital Policy, Marie Hasdenteufel: marie.hasdenteufel(at)fes.de