OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2015. The European Economic and Social Committee which is the principal institution in Europe representing the voice of civil society will see a renewal of its membership on 21st September.  During these challenging economic and social times for Europe, Member States, which are responsible for nominating the EESC members, have reinforced civil society's voice in Europe through a major renewal of the EESC's membership.  According to the EU Treaty, all 350 members will be renewed every five years.  This time around, 40% of the EESC members will be brand new members bringing a fresh influx of ideas and energy to the Committee, building on the extensive knowledge and experience of the renewed members.

With European society now at a crossroads on many social and economic challenges, the renewal of the EESC could not come at a more appropriate time in Europe to reinforce the voice of civil society and bring Europe closer to its citizens. Members are appointed by the Council based on national lists proposed by Member States for a five year term which will run from 2015 till 2020.  The list of renewed members can be consulted here: http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10954-2015-INIT/en/pdf

The 350 new or reconfirmed members of the Committee are scheduled to meet for the first time on 6th October in Brussels.  On 7th October, they will elect a new President and two Vice Presidents for Communication and Budget respectively for a limited term of two and half years.  The position of President normally rotates between the three groups of the Committee in turn (Employers, Workers and Various Interests).  The two previous Presidents were elected from the Various Interests and Employers Groups.

Each member will join one of the three Groups with approximately a third of the members expected to join each of the Groups. Each of the three Groups will also elect their own Group Presidents for renewable two and a half year terms of office.  The principal role of the EESC is to deliver Opinions on European legislative proposals and policies through the work of its six specialised sections and one consultative commission, covering a wide range of areas, such as social, economic, agricultural and transport issues.  Members will also join one or more of the sections which will each in turn elect a President for a renewable two and half year period.