During the first half of 2018, a series of expert forums were organised around Europe on topical matters and challenges facing the European Union. These events were conducted as the ALDE Party considers its manifesto for the 2019 elections to the European Parliament.

Experts in the respective fields from our member parties were invited to participate in these meetings for sharing their views and actively contributing to the manifesto drafting process.

The tenth Manifesto Forum organised by the European Liberal Forum with the support of the ALDE Party and SC Albert Maertens took place in Ghent on Wednesday 16 May. The main topical focus this time was on social Europe with the aim of discussing current changes and challenges related to the EU social pillar.

The discussions on social Europe focused on two main aspects: labour mobility and the future of work in a changing Europe. Martina Dlabajová MEP, ANO and Member of the Manifesto Drafting Committee, Christian Pipal, Research fellow at NEOS Lab, and Thomas Leys, Coordinator Studiecentrum Albert Maertens, participated in the debate.

Martina Dlabajová MEP highlighted the role of liberals to preserve the freedom of movement of people and services and to speak up for an innovative forward-looking labour market, where soft skills need to be key.

At the end of the event, we also had the opportunity to have a Facebook Live talk with Christian Pipal.

Do you want to read a more thorough summary of the content of the discussions? Check it out here to watch our summary video.

For an overview of all the expert forums coming up in spring , take a look here.