SGI Europe calls for the La Hulpe Declaration on
the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights to be at the heart of the EU Strategic Agenda

On Tuesday 16 April 2024, SGI Europe addressed the High-Level Conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights, organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU and in the presence of, amongst others, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Alexander De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister.

On this occasion, SGI Europe signed the La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of Social Europe, reconfirming our commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights as the social policy compass for the future.

Addressing the High-Level Conference, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, said:

“The Pillar, with its key principles, contains the guidance to ensure a fair green and digital transition. The further implementation of the Pillar should target SGIs as crucial actors for the well-being of citizens, for social convergence, for economic resilience, and for the competitiveness of the EU.”

“SGI Europe calls for the next Commission to propose an Action Plan for High-Quality SGIs in Europe, with Principles 16 to 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights at its heart. Amongst others, this SGIs Action Plan would focus on operationalising those principles via existing tools such as the European Semester.”

“I want to renew SGI Europe's commitment to a strong social dialogue. We count on the strategic agenda to recognise its important role and create the necessary space for social partners to thrive at national and European levels.”