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- PAST EVENTHybrid
- Hybrid
06 Nov 2026
9:00 am
1:30 pm
9:00 am1:30 pm
About
As Europe faces growing social, political, and technological challenges, there is an increasing need to strengthen trust, democratic participation, and social cohesion. Throughout the EXPRESS2 project, citizens, civil society organisations, researchers and policymakers have come together to explore how a renewed European social contract can better respond to these challenges.
This closing session marks the culmination of that collaborative journey. Bringing together project partners, EU policymakers, civil society representatives and stakeholders from across Europe, the event will present the key insights and recommendations emerging from the project’s series of workshops on trust in institutions, populism, socio-economic inequality, digitalisation and insecurity.
Together, we will reflect on the principles that should underpin a renewed European social contract, identify the priorities that deserve greater attention, and discuss how citizens’ voices can continue to shape European policymaking beyond the lifetime of the project.
Participants will engage in discussions on questions such as:
- What are the key priorities for a new European social contract?
- Which principles should guide a more inclusive, democratic and sustainable European Union?
- How can citizens and civil society play a stronger role in shaping future EU policies?
- What actions should European institutions take to strengthen trust and resilience across Europe?
The outcomes of this session will contribute to the final recommendations of the EXPRESS2 project, helping ensure that the proposed social contract reflects the perspectives and aspirations of citizens and stakeholders from across Europe.
Agenda
9:00 – 9:30
Registration of participants
9:30 – 9:45
Welcome remarks
by Antoni Abat Ninet, Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and EXPRESS2 Project coordinator
9:45 – 10:00
Looking back – presenting the work of all CSO workshops: “What we heard from the citizens”
10:00 – 10:30
Panel discussion I
Moderated by Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General at EMI
Speakers:
- Cillian Lohan, EESC Member, President of Group III (Civil Society Organisations)
- Valeria Ronzitti, Secretary General at SGI Europe (TBC)
10:30 – 10:45
Coffee break
10:45 – 11:45
Interactive session with participants
11:45 – 12:20
Panel discussion II
Moderated by Antoni Abat Ninet, Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus, and EXPRESS2 Project coordinator
Speakers:
- Filip Tanay, Acting Head of Unit – Strategic, Legal and Interinstitutional Coordination, DG EMPL, European Commission
- Magdalena Adamowicz, Member of the European Parliament (TBC)
12:20 – 12:30
Closing remarks
12:30 – 13:30
Networking lunch
SPEAKERS
Antoni Abat i Ninet
Distinguished Researcher – (Banco de Santander) Institut d’Estudis Europeus – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Antoni Abat i Ninet is a Distinguished Researcher at the Institut d’Estudis Europeus (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and a Talent “Banco de Santander” Fellow. He is from 03/24 – 03/27 Scientific Coordinator and P.I. of the Horizon Europe: “Express 2 Specify and Protect the EU Social Contract” grant agreement No 101132426. Prof. Abat is also a researcher at the Arial University Center for the Research and Study of Genocide.
Marija Mihailovic
Project & Partnership Officer
Marija is involved in project management, supporting the securing of funding and implementation of EMI’s projects. She has experience in EU policy research, communications and business development, having worked with European institutions, multinational organisations and civil society.
Valeria Ronzitti (TBC)
General Secretary, SGI Europe, and Vice President, EMI
Valeria Ronzitti has been General Secretary of SGI Europe since 2012. She has been Vice-President of the European Movement International since November 2020. She is an active member of the REFIT Platform, where she represents the public services community, advising the Commission on how to make EU regulation more efficient and effective while reducing burdens and without undermining policy objectives. She is also a member of the High-level Task Force on Investment in Social Infrastructure.
Cillian Lohan
President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
Cillian Lohan is an Irish environmentalist and the President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group (Group III) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), having taken office in October 2025 for a 2025–2028 term. He has a specialization in climate and sustainability, with a focus on sustainability, circularity or investment biodiversity with carbon sequestration benefits.
Filip Tanay
Deputy Head of Unit – Strategic, Legal and Interinstitutional Coordination, DG EMPL, European Commission
Filip Tanay is an experienced EU public policy professional currently serving as the Deputy Head of Unit for Strategic, Legal and Interinstitutional Coordination within the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL). In this role, he helps shape strategic initiatives and oversees the coordination of employment and social aspects of the European Semester. Prior to his current position, he served as a Team Leader for the European Semester and spent several years as a Policy Analyst focusing on labor market institutions, active labor market policies, and refugee integration studies.
Magdalena Adamowicz (TBC)
Member of the European Parliament, Group of the European People’s Party
Magdalena Adamowicz is a Polish lawyer, academic, and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Poland. Affiliated with the Civic Coalition and the European People’s Party (EPP) group, she has served in the European Parliament since July 2019. She takes part in the following committees: member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Delegation for relations with South Asia (DSAS); substitute on the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), Fisheries (PECH), and Legal Affairs (JURI).
Petros Fassoulas
Secretary General at European Movement International
Petros Fassoulas has been the Secretary General of the European Movement International since July 2015. He started his career working for EU institutions like the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions, as well as in advocacy and lobbying in Brussels. Petros comments frequently on EU issues and has featured on BBC News, Euronews, CNN, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera as well as the Guardian, Le Soir, El Pais, Ta Nea, Der Spiegel, Euractiv, POLITICO Europe among others.
He holds a BSc from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and a MSc from the London School of Economics.
Location
- TownHall Europe, Square de Meeûs 5, 1000 Bruxelles
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