Incorporating Gender in the Economic Governance of the EU

In these challenging times, coming together to debate and discuss Europe's pressing issues becomes even more important. As it has done for over 20 years, the European Business Summit is uniquely positioned as a debating platform for policy, business, and academia. This year the focus will be on how Europe can unite despite the crisis to reshape our society and boost the economy. In an effort to support the economy, the public sector and the private sector will have to join forces to restore confidence and stability on the continent.

EBS 2020's overarching theme, “Rebooting the European economy - Towards a green, digital and more resilient Union”, illustrates the importance and impact sustainability has on various sectors of our society. The generational challenges – the green and the digital transitions – will be even more important than before the crisis. Therefore, the horizontal issue of ‘sustainability’ will remain central during the November edition of EBS. EBS 2020 will highlight a new approach to business and its focus on sustainable transformation. Therefore, this summit is incredibly timely, able to reflect the EU recovery plan presented by the European Commission and to showcase the positive contribution of businesses in making Europe a green, digital and a more resilient economic model. Through a series of interactive discussions, structured around three themes, EBS 2020 is positioned to present concrete solutions and to encourage strong commitment from stakeholders to deliver on the economic, environmental and social objectives for a sustainable and inclusive Europe.

Transforming Business for a Sustainable Europe

EBS 2020’s overarching theme, ‘Transforming Business for a Sustainable Europe’, is based on the importance of sustainability. Businesses play an essential role in finding solutions to better the future of our continent. Through our sessions, including high-level plenaries, expert roundtables, interactive Agora talks, short expert presentations and networking moments, EBS 2020 will highlight a new approach to business and its focus on sustainable transformation and impact that companies have on societies and the environment.

Business leaders will engage with policy-makers and civil society to provoke meaningful discussions looking into the positive impact of business on society. Business plays an essential role in finding solutions to key issues shaping the future of the continent. Together we will envisage how Europe should progress within the next 5 years setting the next steps towards a stronger and more sustainable Europe.

Sustainability at the heart of EBS 2020

The overarching theme for EBS 2020 is sustainability. Through our sessions, EBS will highlight a new approach to business with a focus on sustainable transformation and the impact that companies have on both society and the environment. 

Working towards the objectives of a sustainable Europe, EBS is pleased to announce a special partnership with CSR Europe - the leading European business network for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility. CSR Europe will provide valuable insight as to the leader for the sustainability pillar and as a joint partner, providing guidance into how to 'Transform Business for a Sustainable Europe’.

Gender Economic Governance for a Sustainable Future

With the economic gender gap widening globally and with less than 30% of senior management roles held by women, it is essential to focus on the SDG5 for gender equality. Improving gender equality would lead to an increase GDP to €3.15 trillion across EU Member States by 2050. Establishing Gender Economic Governance is a fundamental pillar to the economy and sustainable future of Europe. However, rooted in the industrial era, the current model operating in most companies is to think of talent as a cost, and women as a niche group. But in the knowledge economy, talent is an asset, and women are key to both the talent and consumer marketplace. Acknowledging and investing in women can yield a significant return for Europe. To fully capitalise on the gender dividend, however, countries and their private sector must go beyond policies that only focus on discrimination and develop solid strategies aimed at incorporating and retaining female talent at all business levels. Titled Gender Economic Governance for a Sustainable Future, the session sets a strong tone from the top, to rethink the corporate purpose, governance and duties by emphasising the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment at all business levels. Exploring how embedding gender equality across business strategy and operations, is a smart investment, and demonstrating that gender equality is a key component of corporate sustainability, transforming businesses for a sustainable future.

Agora Session 1 hour Programme Outline:

Part 1 : (40 min) Gender Economic Governance Presentation - guiding the audience through the gender economic vision for Europe and the conditions of good governance to transform business for a sustainable future. What is the business case for gender equality? What is the current Global & European status on gender equality? What are the primary dilemmas for economic growth and sustainability? What conditions is the private sector not meeting to attain gender equality? What is the gender economic vision for Europe?

Part 2 : (20 min) Interactive session with Amelia Lopez Huix In an interactive way Amelia Lopez Huix contrasts and bridges between the current approach towards talent development and the new strategy on Gender Economic Governance to harness talent for inclusive leadership, business competitiveness and sustainable growth.