Chairman discusses employment, digital growth and innovation at conference in Rome

• Conference: Documents, videos and photos on the website of the Italian Presidency
• Report: Youth Unemployment in the EU: A Scarred Generation? (PDF)
• Report: The Effectiveness of EU Research and Innovation Proposals (PDF)
• EU Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment Sub-Committee

Employment

The employment session focused on employment which included a stocktake of the EU’s current levels of employment, the challenge of youth unemployment, the existence of a skills mismatch across Europe and the need for sustainable economic growth. Baroness O'Cathain mentioned the Committee's report, 'Youth Unemployment in the EU: a scarred generation?' and need to improve on current programmes, such as the Youth Unemployment Initiative which is having a limited impact.

Panellists

• Giuliano Poletti, Minister of Labour and Social Policies (Italy) 
• Alessandro Goglio, Advisor, OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs
• Steven Tobin, Senior Economist, Research Department, International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• Donata Gottadi, Professor of Labour Law, Verona University  

Digital agenda

The digital agenda and the need for the EU to catch up with its Asian and American competitors in terms of broadband roll out and connectivity was considered. Presentations were made regarding the impact of data to inform decision makers and the public and the need for the EU as a whole to be supportive of innovative start-ups.

Panellists

• Lorenzo Benussi, Member of the Innovation Desk, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Strategic Advisor at TOP-IX Consortium
• Kumardev Chatterjee, President European Young Innovators Forum (EYIF)

Research and innovation

The target for Member States to earmark 3% of GDP for investment in research and innovation was discussed. Baroness O'Cathain contributed to the debate between chairpersons that the time lapse between agreeing to a grant and providing access to the funds should be shortened as recommended in the Committee’s report 'The Effectiveness of EU Research and Innovation Proposals'. A Commission representative was able to provide an update on the improvements made in this area, which the Committee plan to pursue.  The panellists for this session were:

Panellists

• Markus Perkmann, Professor, Imperial College London
• Roberto Cingolani, Scientific Director, Italian Institute of Technology
• Daniele Archibugi, Professor of Innovation, Governance and Public Policy, Birkbeck, University of London

Smart cities

Smart cities and the potential for cities to be hubs for innovation was the focus of the final session. Representatives from the Italian Presidency referred to the work being carried in Italy at the moment, noting that the green economy was the only industry that was currently growing and creating employment.

Speakers

• Flavia Marzano, President, States-General of Innovation
• Michele Vianello, 'Digital Evangelist', Ars et Inventio
• Alessandro Rinaldi, Unit for Economic Studies, Unioncamere

Further information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visiting Parliament: Select Committees